Anti-racism group bans Roy Chubby Brown from Stoke-on-Trent shows

In the UK, the North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (Norscraf) has publicly opposed a scheduled performance by controversial comedian Roy Chubby Brown at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, set for January 10th and 11th. The campaign group regards Brown, who is known for his offensive comedy style, as an "infamous bigot" and has urged the venue to reconsider its hosting of his show titled "Not Meant to Offend, it's Simply Comedy." They argue that the content of Brown's routines, which include racially, sexually, and homophobically charged jokes, conflicts with the values of inclusivity and respect for diverse audiences. This opposition comes in the wake of several venues nationwide deciding to cancel or distance themselves from Brown's performances over similar concerns. The open letter from Norscraf emphasized their worries about the normalization of racist and discriminatory attitudes that could arise from hosting such acts, particularly in light of previous violent far-right riots in Hanley. The group contends that hosting Roy Chubby Brown risks undermining community standards by promoting content that trivializes bigotry and potentially encourages harmful behaviors. They cite the importance of representing local audiences in a respectful manner and believe that the theatre has a responsibility to reflect the community's values. Additionally, they pointed out that while the show is marketed as a commentary on societal issues like 'political correctness' and 'cancel culture,' the offensive nature of Brown's material has always been intentional and is not aligned with the evolving societal standards regarding inclusivity. The concern here is not merely about personal taste but rather a broader social issue about how such performances contribute to an environment where intolerance is seen as acceptable. As the date of the performance approaches, Norscraf's call for the MAC to cancel the show exemplifies a growing trend of scrutiny facing artists and performers, particularly those with legacies that include racially or socially insensitive material. The outcome of this situation will reflect the theatre's stance on these cultural issues and set a precedent for how similar events may be handled in the future. The performances, organized by Stoke-on-Trent record shop Music Mania, evoke strong sentiments on both sides, as supporters of Brown argue for freedom of speech in comedy while opponents highlight the potential dangers of endorsing harmful stereotypes and fostering division within communities.