Urban - a code word?

[James A. Landau]

Jean Schiffman, "Audition Hell" in Dramatics, VOlume 76, number 2, October
2004, page 28

<begin quote>
    Also beyond the actor's control are clueless directors.  When Brian Yates
Sharber read for one of the jackals in the touring company of _The Lion
King_, he was told, "I hate to sound stereotypical, but---be more urban," follwed
by "You got a little too Connecticut for me."  Says Sharber, who is African
American, "I'm thinking,, If you hate to sound stereotypical, then don't.  He was
trying not to sy, '[Racial slur] it up,' but that's what he meant.  The only
way he could feel comfortable saying that to a black actor is, "Be more
urban.' That's the code word that some of us have come to know."
<end quote>

Does anyone know if "urban" is indeed such a code word?  If so, is the usage
restricted to theater?

I am reminded of the major cigarette company that decided to produce a
cigarette brand that would be aimed at African Americans.  (Public protest killed
this idea, and good riddance, it was probably a high-nicotine cigarette)  The
name of the proposed cigarette?  "Uptown".

I doubt this is relevant, but some years ago there was a movie entitled
"Urban Cowboy", which was a flop.  (I never saw it.)  According to one review, most
theatergoers didn't know what "urban" meant and assumed it was a risque term.

Also, in the above quote, "[racial slur]" is being used as a verb.  I doubt
that is a nonce usage, but I can't recall ever having heard it as a verb rather
than a noun or adjective.

 - James A. Landau