Fundraiser nixed over ill-conceived blackface routine

Baltimore event was to raise money for officers charged in the death of a black man

A Baltimore venue has cancelled a fundraiser for six local police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, after it was revealed that the event would feature a blackface performance.

Bobby Berger, a 67-year-old retired Baltimore police officer, was set to perform in blackface at the Nov. 1 fundraiser. Berger was fired from the force in the 1980s for his performances, the Baltimore Sun reported.

Berger often impersonated Al Jolson, a singer from the 1920s and ’30s who performed with black makeup on his face to impersonate black people.

Michael’s Eighth Avenue said in a statement that Berger would not host the event. “No contract was signed with Mr. Berger,” the venue said. “Michael’s does not condone blackface performances of any kind. As an event venue, it has not been the practice of Michael’s Eighth Avenue to pre-approve entertainment that is planned as part of a contracted event. This policy will be carefully and thoughtfully reviewed.”

On Wednesday, Berger told The Associated Press that 610 tickets had been sold in eight days at $45 each for the fundraiser. He told AP there was nothing racist about his act.

“It’s coincidence,” Berger said about the fact the entertainer he impersonates wore blackface. “There’s no racial overtones to this show. There’s nothing racial to the show.”

Blackface became popular in the early 20th century in the U.S. Many see it as offensive because it was used by white actors to portray racist stereotypes about black people.

Gray, 25, died from a spinal injury while in police custody in April. His death triggered large protests in Baltimore as people accused police of using unwarranted force against black residents.

In May, six Baltimore officers were charged in Gray’s death. The charges against the officers range from misconduct in office to second-degree murder, and a trial is set for October.

In a statement, the Baltimore police union said that while it has respect for Berger, it was “not supporting or endorsing the event.”

“We do not condone any performance representing the iconic racist figure that is Al Jolson, nor do we support the collection of any donations other than those made to a fund managed directly by the union.” The planned performance was strongly criticized.

“One struggles to think of a stranger way to raise funds for a group of police officers implicated in the death of a Black man than a Blackface performer, especially considering that 3 of the accused officers are Black themselves,” Jamilah Lemieux wrote in Ebony magazine.

“Performing in blackface to raise funds for officers charged in the death of a black man in the US. Yep, that’ll go over well,” someone commented on Twitter. “This is a monumentally bad idea,” another said.

“#Blackface? In 2015? In Maryland? Beyond stupid. Al Jolson belongs in the dustbin of history,” another comment read.