Robert O. Cox
Encyclopedia
Robert O. Cox was mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
from 1986-1991. Before becoming mayor, Cox spent nearly two decades on the City Commission. Cox owns a local marina.
), a leading yacht
race, to the city.
in the city.
host Arsenio Hall
criticized Cox for these comments. Indeed, this was not the first time Cox made statements and took positions that were perceived by many to be racially insensitive. For example, Cox opposed renaming Southwest 31st Avenue Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. He also opposed making King's birthday a city holiday. He once accused black people of vandalizing his warehouse. He argued against single-member voting districts when the federal government demanded them. Further, he suggested English be the city's official language.
However, Cox's record on race was less clear-cut than these comments and viewpoints suggest. Cox was a progressive on several race-related issues. It was Cox who, in 1972, proposed the city's open housing ordinance after the Broward County Commission failed to pass one. He did so in the face of strong opposition from influential white residents on the city's east side. Notably, former mayor and congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr., a far less divisive figure than Cox in ensuing years, opposed this ordinance. Further, in 1970, Cox was the only commissioner to vote against a $43,000 armored tank the city bought following race riots. Cox argued it was meant to be turned on a tiny faction of the black community and contended that the money would have been better spent in community relations. Though Cox opposed the district elections that eventually made black businessman Carlton Moore a commissioner. Cox feared districts would divide the city and make commissioners responsive only to their constituents. However, when the measure passed, Cox encouraged Moore to run.
In 1981, while serving as a city commissioner, Cox attracted controversy when he suggested pouring Kerosene in trash cans to prevent the homeless from rummaging for food. Although he later said that he has meant to say bleach, as he did not want to kill anyone, "his comment captured for many the official attitude toward the scruffy souls whose presence marred the city's image".
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
from 1986-1991. Before becoming mayor, Cox spent nearly two decades on the City Commission. Cox owns a local marina.
Role in making Fort Lauderdale a "Marine Capital"
Before being elected to the City Commission, Cox served on the city's Marine Advisory Board and is often credited for his role in promoting the city as a boating capital. As a member of the Board he encouraged the city to deepen many then-shallow canals, build marinas and advertise the city's boating-related amenities. Later, as a City Commissioner, Cox was instrumental in luring the Whitbread Round the World Race (now known as the Volvo Ocean RaceVolvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
), a leading yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
race, to the city.
The End of Spring Break
As a Commissioner and later as Mayor, Cox was a leader in the effort to discourage college students from spending spring breakSpring break
Spring break – also known as March break, Study week or Reading week in the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada – is a recess in early spring at universities and schools in the United States, Canada, mainland China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United...
in the city.
Accusations of Racism and Other Controversies
Cox declined to seek reelection as mayor following a controversy that erupted after he told a fourth-grade class at Edgewood Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale that all they needed to become mayor was to be "free, white, and 21." Edgewood Elementary principle Collins Plummer moments later requested clarification of the earlier comment by Mayor Cox. Mr. Cox then proceeded an attempt at backtracking by stating that the comment was an old cliche which no longer held true due to advances in rights and opportunities for minorities during his life time. Many of the students witnessing the exchange including fourth grader Rafael Bazan were offended by Mayor Cox's remarks and the clarification by the Mayor did little to ease the surprise and offense by all whom witnessed the exchange. Mayor Cox's remarks were played on local news over the next several days causing an uproar from minorities throughout the community. http://www.newtimesbpb.com/issues/2000-10-26/news/news2.html http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-03-17/news/9001290969_1_cliche-insensitivity-studentsTalk showTalk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall is an American actor, comedian, and former talk show host. He is best known for his talk show The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran between 1989 and 1994, and his roles in the films Coming to America and Harlem Nights.Hall is also known for his appearance as Alan Thicke's sidekick on the...
criticized Cox for these comments. Indeed, this was not the first time Cox made statements and took positions that were perceived by many to be racially insensitive. For example, Cox opposed renaming Southwest 31st Avenue Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. He also opposed making King's birthday a city holiday. He once accused black people of vandalizing his warehouse. He argued against single-member voting districts when the federal government demanded them. Further, he suggested English be the city's official language.
However, Cox's record on race was less clear-cut than these comments and viewpoints suggest. Cox was a progressive on several race-related issues. It was Cox who, in 1972, proposed the city's open housing ordinance after the Broward County Commission failed to pass one. He did so in the face of strong opposition from influential white residents on the city's east side. Notably, former mayor and congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr., a far less divisive figure than Cox in ensuing years, opposed this ordinance. Further, in 1970, Cox was the only commissioner to vote against a $43,000 armored tank the city bought following race riots. Cox argued it was meant to be turned on a tiny faction of the black community and contended that the money would have been better spent in community relations. Though Cox opposed the district elections that eventually made black businessman Carlton Moore a commissioner. Cox feared districts would divide the city and make commissioners responsive only to their constituents. However, when the measure passed, Cox encouraged Moore to run.
In 1981, while serving as a city commissioner, Cox attracted controversy when he suggested pouring Kerosene in trash cans to prevent the homeless from rummaging for food. Although he later said that he has meant to say bleach, as he did not want to kill anyone, "his comment captured for many the official attitude toward the scruffy souls whose presence marred the city's image".