Supporters of Richmond Casino Face Backlash From Insensitive Remarks
Voters in Richmond will decide on Tuesday if a $562 million casino resort proposal called the Richmond Grand should be approved. Early poll results show that opinions are split over the project, which was previously nearly defeated two years ago by a margin of 51% to 49%. With only 1,493 votes separating the two sides, it's anyone's game.
Urban One, previously known as Radio One, is responsible for the 2021 casino proposal and is also backing this year's attempt. According to Urban One officials and their partner, Churchill Downs, the casino would provide the city with a significant economic boost, creating 1,300 jobs with good pay. The expected annual tax share for the city would amount to $30 million, which could be used to enhance Richmond's infrastructure, educational institutions, and other services.
However, opponents of the casino argue that it's not necessary to gamble in order to enjoy a resort and that the proposed benefits can be achieved without bringing the Las Vegas Strip to Interstate 95 near the Philip Morris plant. They believe that gambling causes harm to the low-income and uneducated residents of the Southside, leading to more poverty and family disturbances.
Tense Tempers
During a radio interview on one of Urban One's stations last week, the company's founder, Cathy Hughes, used harsh language towards those who opposed her casino plans. Hughes, a Black woman, accused her opponents, mainly Paul Goldman, a Jewish lawyer and Richmond political activist behind the "No Means No Casino" campaign, of seeing her as subhuman.
In the same episode, the host, Preston Brown, made offensive anti-Semitic remarks about Goldman, calling him a "white Jew with a background of Judas," referencing the Biblical character who betrayed Jesus. Urban One CEO Alfred Higgins, Hughes' son, later apologized to Goldman for Brown's remarks. Urban One's Regional Vice President, Marsha Landess, also released a statement in response to the offensive comments:
"The antisemitic comments ... were made by a temporary guest host who was not an employee of the station. These statements were horrible and offensive. Once we heard the comments ... I personally drove to the station and immediately removed him from the show. He will not be appearing again."
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, a supporter of the casino project, also denounced Brown's remarks.
I unequivocally condemn the antisemitic remarks made by a guest host on The Box 99.5 FM regarding Paul Goldman. We must call hate out in all of its forms, and his remarks are completely unacceptable. I'm pleased to hear the station has issued an apology and fired the host.— @LevarStoney
Countdown to Election Day
With Election Day nearing, Goldman is utilizing the controversial audio clips in an effort to sway undecided voters. On his "No Means No Casino" website, 19 clips featuring Hughes and other casino supporters making disparaging comments about their opponents are available to be reviewed.
Goldman also commented on the remarks himself:
"For the sake of money and their own personal gain, they're willing to turn their casino project into a wedge of division, to try to win through a divisive strategy that serves only their selfish interests.
"No one needs to apologize to me. I know politics a little: They didn't publicly apologize immediately because they were hoping there would be no political backlash. So, no public apology. But when they saw their political gamble losing today, they started apologizing."
In the final days of the campaign, it remains to be seen if the divisive comments will impact the election outcome.
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Source: www.casino.org
