The Diversity Advisory Council of the Health Alliance, which runs hospitals and managed care for thousands of families in Cincinnati, has invited employees to listen to a boycott leader talk about “The Cincinnati Economic Boycott” at noon tomorrow.

        “It's not designed as a rally or a platform to support the boycott,” said diversity director Tonya Huggins.

        But that's how it looks. The speaker, Victoria Straughn, is founder, leader and spokeswoman of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for Justice, one of several pro-boycott groups.

Whoopi's "victory'

        Ms. Straughn, an Alliance employee, claimed credit for the letter that persuaded Whoopi Goldberg to cancel a concert here: “I am really pleased that someone of Ms. Goldberg's stature has agreed to stand in solidarity with us,” she said.

        An e-mail to Alliance employees said she would:

        • “Identify boycott participants and supporters.

        • “Give a historical overview of the Cincinnati economic boycott.

        • “Explain the reason for the Cincinnati economic boycott.

        • “Discuss whether the April 2001 events were forms of riots or rebellion.

        • “Talk about where we, as a community, go from here.”

        But there will be no “second opinion,” and no anti-boycott speaker at the “brown bag presentation.”

        When several employees objected, the seven-member Diversity Advisory Council agreed to invite an opponent of the boycott to speak — at a separate event.

        “We just decided a few hours ago” to bring in an opposing viewpoint, Ms. Huggins said Tuesday afternoon.

        She said the problem was timing.

        True. It is bad timing to invite a pro-boycott speaker, without an opposing side, when local workers are being hurt by the “victories” claimed by Ms. Straughn.

        Some workers at restaurants and hotels and other businesses that rely on entertainment spending are out of work or earning less. They are the invisible “casualties” of the boycott.

        Many of them have supported the Health Alliance by purchasing health care.
       

Clients have been hurt

       The Alliance is the biggest health care system in the region, with Alliance Primary Care group and five hospitals: Christ, University, Jewish, St. Luke and Fort Hamilton.

        Its clients also include local businesses that have been hurt by boycott damage to the economy and Cincinnati's reputation.

        An “information dialogue” is fine — but boycott leaders have repeatedly distorted the truth and spread ridiculous misinformation about the city. Presenting only their side is irresponsible. It's the kind of one-way “diversity dialogue” that makes employees roll their eyes in disgust, because they know only the politically correct view is allowed.

        Ms. Huggins said Alliance workers complained and wanted to know, “Why offer such a session, why give this particular group a voice and why not offer two viewpoints?”

        Good questions. Presenting only the boycott side of the most divisive debate in Cincinnati just rubs salt in the city's wounds.

        E-mail pbronson@enquirer.com or call 768-8301.
       

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