The accusations of racial discrimination at Menage couldn't have come at a worse time for the city. In three months, Charlotte will host the CIAA tournament and thousands of African Americans are expected to be here for a week of partying.
Whether the accusations are true or not, they reinforce an existing perception among some African Americans that blacks aren't welcome uptown. The issue of diversity uptown surfaced last month, when I wrote about a poll showing that Charlotte is one of the worst places to hook up. Several people complained that uptown isn't diverse.
So, I'm putting the question out there to you. To me uptown's nightlife is more ethnically diverse today than it was five years ago, from Phil's Deli to Crush to the Forum, you see range of ethnicities partying.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Diversity uptown
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47 comments:
I agree with you that uptown is very diverse. But I am fairly certain the people who are saying it isn't diverse aren't even coming uptown..or if they do then they aren't venturing outside their own crowd.
In spite of all the lip service being paid to the wonders of diversity in politics, media and academe, it appears that the reality is that most people prefer being with their own culture/race or what-have-you.
Not that this is a good or a bad thing...it just 'is'.
Diverse is a relative term. Who decides when it is and isnt? Whats the tangible % of a city's nightlife that allows it to be called diverse? I think the focus is too much on diverse and not enough on quality and fun. Dont open a club just for the sake of saying " well now we have X type of club" it has to bring something to the table. If the joint is jumping people from all walks of life will come. THEN you get true organic diversity with no political mandates or agendas...thats REAL.
I see Charlotte's uptown/downtown as being probably the most diverse between Virginia and South Carolina. Being Hispanic, I have noticed an increase of Latin Americans in the area over the past 5 years. We have many different ethnic backgrounds represented in Charlotte and not just in the uptown area.
there's a good mix at stool pigeons on Monday nights; Ri-Ra's is pretty white, clubs vary depending on when and where. Diversity is not something to loathe, but it is also not something that needs to be forced. If everyone wants to go out, party, and get drunk, then do it. Spend money at the bars instead of loitering on the streets and there will be few complaints.
Are we really talking about this? I am not even going to bring up the uptown area not being diverse enough? Have you walked around downtown? The issues have nothing to do with race and color of skin, it has more to do with the type of people. I think it is rude of you just to assume that bringing in more of X race will make the city more diverse. Why does it matter? Are we just a group of people that add that flavor to your uptown? And just because we are black, does not mean we are going to bring the "ethnic flava". Some of us enjoying going to clubs, buying food and drinks at places that are not race specific and hanging with our other Charlotte brothers.
I feel that uptown is somewhat diverse. However; uptown is only being that way because the people who party make it that way. If more diverse people choose uptown as their party stop then it would cater to more of a diverse crowd.
Why does the Charlotte Observer pay you?
Again, as a young african-american male who enjoys partying uptown, I can empathize with club owners that are worried about attracting too many african-americans. Rather than always pointing the finger elswhere (as we tend to do way too much) we should work to decrease the large amount of senseless crime and violence by blacks so that we are more welcome everywhere.
It isn't race, it is Thugism...
sorry...apparently my comments may have been a little out of line, so I'll say again. The pervasive belief in downtown nightlife is that too many black people in a bar/club is bad for business. Not because of the violence brought, because lets face it the people who have been left standing outside as it regards this particular incident were not "thugs", but VPs and professionals looking to have a good time. I agree, it is sad that there is the perception that we are violent, but that is irrelevant. If I meet the dress code, if I have my money, if I'm with 100 of my homies than I should be let in - i should be welcomed in. Is nightlife diverse? yeah, the latino population is booming, there have been Latin nights at prominent downtown venues for years - so lets cut to the chase. It is the classic racial issue with black people. Slice it how you like but we all agree that hip hop is the culture of the day. You hear it in all the clubs regardless of race....top 40 is rap music. However, people want to listen to 50 Cent but they don't want to party with his well-dressed cousins. This perhaps is a societal issue and I'm sure many of the majority crowd who have countless venues in which they're partying feel like blacks are simply crying "wolf"...but that sounds eerily familiar to what the nation thought about police brutality before Rodney King. That's dramatic, but point is, I've heard the comments - it is real. If this city is to be the metropolitan/cosmopolitan place that it aspires to be it will not continue to foster an atmosphere where one can tell someone of any race to essentially, "get lost", without fear of reprimand. This city will also stop lifting up businessmen who continue to have racial "smoke" rising from their reputations. That sends the wrong message to future patrons, businessmen and visitors to our shiny city. In truth we all need to get out of our comfort zones and for my race (black) the welcoming wagon may not be there....but stay with it all races will warm up to each other eventually - especially once it is known we're not going anywhere. If this is where the discussion begins than great...it has been a longtime coming. Indeed, on the cusp of the CIAA it is unfortunate, but perhaps for the sake of progress, it is necessary.
Of corse, large groups of young afro-americans scare most people, but to sum it all up...all of our money is GREEN. And any club owner who doesn't see that is crazy. In my four years living here I've noticed that clubs that cater to all races tend to have the better crowds. But that only happens when there's a new club opening or a change of mannagement. Those are the only times that there is true diversity in uptown. Music is an important factor also, because most young afro-americans perfer hip-hop or top 40 over Techno. And I feel that music selection is one of the secret weapons club owners use to sway the crowds. This is always the case here in Charlotte, you can have a great crowd, but have a horrible music selection, or you have great music, but bad crowds, choose your medicine. If there was a club that had a continual mix of the two catagories all night, instead of a complete change up around 12-12:30, and was large enough, then we wouldn't even be discussing if uptown was diverse enough.
I think Charlotte uptown is quite diverse and I like it that way and hope it continues!! I do think that there ~may be~ too many teenagers (or people who act like teenagers -including myself on occasion - I am 35 - of all races and ethnicities) but other than that, I see no issue; bars/clubs/people who are worried about the "kinds of people" who patronize Uptown establishments are deplorable IMHO. People are people - all $$$ is green, right? The only way Charlotte will ever get to "big city" status is by recognizing that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment, period.
Love your column.
Is Charlotte Diverse? Well it is more diverse than what it was 5 years ago but five years ago nothing was happening uptown. It was dead. Charlotte has a lot of racial tension. Not just uptown but everywhere. I live in Southpark and there are more blacks living here now but when I moved there 3 years ago there was just us. My boyfriend walks for exercise in Myers Park. he was stopped frequently until the cops started to recognize him. Before it was pure harassment. One had the nerve to ask him why he was walking in and out of stores. He was walking in the residental area with no stores in sight. He doesn't dress like a thug. He is a well educated professional. I think the cops were intimidated. Charlotte has a lot to learn abt diversity. Charlotte is a beautiful city but it is segregated along racial lines for the most part.The same old good old boys ,their families and stepford wives really run the city. Until they die off or become more accepting of others who do not look like them or their children Charlotte will not be able to achieve true diversity and racial harmony anywhere not just uptown
I don't see a problem with Uptown and the club/bar scene. Diversity is not the issue. We all listen to different types of music. Many clubs will play techno, breaks, European House and even hip/hop. Yes, I know most African Americans do not care for techno and when mixed with hip/hop, they will not go in. So if you look inside a club you will see that the majority of people are white. I enjoy all types of music so I don't care how its mixed. When I'm at a club, I rather hear techno or European House. This doesn't mean I don't want African Americans or any other race for this issue at the club. It all comes down to music. We cannot make everyone happy in this world. If you try and make one race happy, another race will be upset. There are several places new clubs can be opened...my suggestion is to have an African American open a hip/hop club in Uptown and see how it goes. Tonya you throw the race card too many times in your blogs. I've been in the club scene for about 10 years now and not once have I EVER seen a club or bar tell someone they cannot come in because they are African American. Just because an establishment doesn't play 100% hip/hop doesn't mean the owners are racist. The deal over the weekend at Menage is all BS. People should make sure they know what they are talking about before passing judgment on a place and not go by what others are saying. Get the facts first, check the facts to make sure and then write about it.
Great...here we go again....the militant Tonya on the loose. I hope someday she rides off into the sunset with her butch wife on that darn motorcycle.
IF you're looking to answer a diversity question about ptown nightlife, lookin gthrough the window of any establish in the area will mislead you everytime. Instead, take an informal poll across various racial/ethnic/gender/age demographics and ask them what area would they go to if they wanted to go out for the evening. No matter if you were in Atlanta or Iowa, certain places will attract certain crowds and there is nothing inherently wrong with that. I cannot think of a single place that could attract a diverse crowd on music alone. Where you go depends more on what you're lookin gfor out of the experience. Do you want to be at the "place to be?" Then maybe you'll sacrifice being able to listen to the music that normally makes you feel like dancing. I know I'd make a sacrifice every now and then for reasonably priced liquor, but maybe that's just me.
Uptown doesn't need more diversity if you're reading it as a ratio of racial composition in an establishment. Rather, Uptown needs more options. If I am looking to Salsa, there should be an Uptown destination for that. And if it happened to be next door to the hottest establishment for hip-hop music, which is next door to the best Pop Top 40 club in the area, it's all the better. So when you do decide to have that survey, everybody will say Uptown is their favorite destination. Even if they don't see the diversity inside the club of their choice (which is honestly how the vast majority of people really want to find their establishments), then they will notice it while walking down the street. The most important goal is creating the opportunities where everyone enjoys coming Uptown, regardless of where they end up spending their money. In my opinion, Uptown still has some growing to do.
Tonya is not wrong by making this post because their is a problem but people dont want to open their eyes up to it or they are very naive. I am a young black male who frequents uptown and i have been for the sake of a better word "discriminated" against. I dont dress "thuggish" nor do i hang with a thuggish crowd. But yet going into an unnamed club two weeks ago, the bouncer told me i couldnt enter because i had on athletic shoes. I had on steve maddens and i lifted up my pants leg to show the guy that they were indeed steve maddens but he still denied my entrance. Im pretty sure there was someone inside with the exact same shoes on. I feel the only reason why this happened because it was two black males going in when there was no one else in line. Had there been people in line to witness it, it wouldnt have happened. And the same friend with me that night has been denied entrance because his pants were too baggy but yet he wore the same pants there the week or two before. But yet to answer the question about uptown being diverse, i think uptown is much more diverse than years ago but with it comes all of the problems and sterotypes.
To the previous poster: Have you taken up the question of why various bouncers seem to be discriminating against you with the management of those establishments? If rules are being applied inconsistently, perhaps the problem is with the bouncers, not the establishments... if management knew what happened, they might take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again. I would think that most establishments would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate their even-handedness... particularly since more patrons = more money.
Answering the previous post, I haven't talked to any management about these situations which is my fault and i probably could have resolved some things that way instead of just posting in this blog. But most of the time i think that it is management that gives out these orders to do this. I could be very wrong about that but that is my opinion. I think that management would risk a few patrons to save his/her establishment because if the "wrong" person entered the club/bar and got in a fight and someone was possibly injured or even killed, they would end up losing the whole club instead of just a few dollars.
To the previous poster: So, you don't KNOW that they are discriminating against you, you just THINK they are. Since you said you got into the club on a previous occasion, it certainly seems to me like there's some inconsistency in the behavior of these clubs. If I were you, I'd speak up the next time it happens... and then let everyone know what happened (where you were, what they said, etc.). If people get the story out that "Club X" has a certain policy, they'll either have to confirm that that's their policy, or they'll be forced to change their behavior or risk losing business.
WRT Menage: I've never been there, and never planned on going. If what Latorre is accused of is true, that's unfortunate... as a private business owner, he should have the right to choose who he lets into his club, but we as consumers also have the right NOT to give him any business if we disapprove of his behavior/actions.
To the guy who has the music defense of Menage...no one is asking for 100% hip-hop. The problem is hip-hop is the predominant music of the day so naturally from a business standpoint - club owners want to play it for their patrons. What they don't want, is the black crowd that it brings. And in an effort to limit that, a change in musical formats may occur for a matter of weeks to clear out the unwanted. Hey people it is 2005 it is politically incorrect (and illegal) to deny interest on the basis of race, but that does not mean that there aren't tactics to deter the "unwanted". Lie to yourself if you wish, but black patrons, black promoters deal with a different set of rules. A friend of mine who promotes parties spoke about the difference between an Atlanta and a Charlotte. When he sought venues in Atlanta to throw a party, whether the owner was black or white he was met with respect. This same promoter, in Charlotte, seeking venues has always had to make excuses for the way black people are perceived and promises that his crowd isn't violent, but professional. Is there any more violence in Charlotte, than there is in Atlanta? So why the difference in respect? Perhaps in Atlanta they are not so sure who you are, and they don't want to have there establishment on blast for anything racial from the likes of a Jermaine Dupri, Andre 3000, or Dallas Austin blaring over the radio so they offer respect. In Charlotte, on the other hand, they don't think we have the ability to make waves - so, they may not know who you are, but who cares..."scram". If you take an honest look or rather, not be embarrassed to look, you'll see it for yourself. May this issue have us all, white, black, yellow, brown watch the downtown scene with a different set of lenses.
True, comfort zones mean everything, but if me and my friends have been comfortable at this spot for a few weeks, and then management (when nothing is wrong from a $$ standpoint) decides to manipulate the music format or get inconsistent about the dress code....well what should I deduce from that. To the clubs - be what you were when you opened and embrace everything that comes with the changes you make, be it more black people, be it the howls of "racism"...because unless you're losing revenue, or popularity, you're stripped of all other explanations except race. If it's something else, I'm still waiting to hear one that holds water.
And please enough of the have an African - American open a club...stop it. is that the solution? go seperate ways? We as a city have to do better than that. I shouldn't feel alien in any bar/club in charlotte that I would like to frequent - white or black.
Tonya do your thing, baby, yeah this about the social scene, which seems shallow, but from the looks of the comments apparently it gets deeper than that. Worthy conversation.
Its funny how we are told that race doesn't matter and we are all equal by the same people who always want to point out any minor event in which the participants don't reflect the same racial percentage of the population as a whole.
Frankly, why is diversity always about race? I think a room full of people of one race and of different professions and backgrounds is more diverse than a room full of doctors with different ethnicities.
Besides, it is natural that people will tend to prefer to be around people who are like themselves. Until we realize there is nothing wrong with that we will always have people like you, Tonya, who play into the misconception that there are still colored and white drinking fountains.
Charlotte is trying to become a world class city. The city has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade...some of it positive and some negative. We should, however, keep this one thing in mind people;growth is painful. There will be many good things that will come along with the growth, but inevitably there will be the bad as well. The reality of the matter is that CRIME goes hand and hand with this growth. I am happy that the crowds uptown have become more diverse. If people are being denied entry into an establishment based on race then this is truly unfortunate. However, as a black male who has both bartended and managed clubs in the Uptown area for the better part of a decade, I can honestly say that problems begin and end at the door. If patrons do not meet the dress code they simply cannot enter. I have had to enforce this policy for both white and black patrons over the years. Now, if this policy is arbitrary and it seems that there is a pattern of blatant discrimination then there is, indeed, a problem. You will get this from time to time as the employee is still an individual with his/her own beliefs. If management is aware of this then there is truly a problem and business will suffer as a result. It should be noted that the former GM of Menage was African American and a friend of mine. I doubt that Stephan Letorre would allow this to go on. It sounds more like the individual/s at the door who is/are the problem. I don't know the circumstances but there is no need to have a riot just yet. In the defense of the hospitality industry I do know that we do not want the "thug" element in an establishment. This includes both white and black thugs. Crime notwithstanding, it is good to see a cross section of the "Queen City" patronizing the Uptown establishments. Sincerely, Alex
Every establishment has a right to refuse entry to any group that gives off a vibe of negativity or violence. I could care less of the color of the patrons in a place. I care about my safety. So, whether it is a white or black thug that gets refused entry, I am happy to see that an establishment is trying to maintain a vibe that does not endanger others. Yes, racism does exist some in our society, but this is NOT the time to use the Race Card factor. So many people use so many race cards, that dang, it comes across as "crying wolf", resulting in true racism falling on deaf ears because we are so tired of hearing it. Just as a church has a right to enforce a certain behavior and/or appearance, I also feel a club has the same right. Charlotte is far more diverse than many cities of similar size- Louisville KY, Memphis TN, Jacksonville FL, Richmond VA.
I am African-American, I like it here, and I go to many of the “young professional” parties here in the city geared towards us. I have one question for Tonya Jamison and my folk…are we really still talking about Menege??? Let it go. If you will recall, the DJ who was involved with the first “incident” at that club is related to this recent group that has a problem with that place (he DJs a lot of their parties). Notice the group that was throwing the party hasn’t “specifically stated” what their problem was with the club that night, while the club owner has given a very detailed account of his side of the story. It sounds to me like there was some shady stuff going on with that group. They got busted, and now they’re playing the race card. To my folk I say, let it go, open your own club and if you don’t like the so called “atmosphere” here…move!!! And to answer the question, yes, Uptown is very diverse. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
I'm a AA male that lives relatively close to uptown (Elizabeth) and although I haven't personally been discriminated against while partying uptown, I have felt that the color of my skin made the difference in the service I received at several of the bars uptown (can a brotha get a smile or what?). Anyways, my belief is that once upon a time, Charlotte was a small town filled with a bunch of red... closed-minded, culturally-challenged folks that were use to a particular simple kind of life and the next thing you know here come these Ataliens, Latinos, Asians, etc. turning the Queen City into the Caremel, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, city and now all hell has broken loose. It's a numbers game.. the more people from various backgrounds that move here the more open it will become and the better-off this city will be.
I'd also like to say to Tonya. U Go Girrrl! Keep up the good work. Don't let these haters stand in your way.
Being a white male, working for one of the banks, I know racism first hand! My employer proactively seeks to hire Indians, African-Americans, and Woman before considering me for a role. So, there are bigger issue than can someone get in a club. Grow up! Do you realize that my employer (in tech jobs) now employs a staff model of 90/10. What that means is as follows: 90% of the jobs are given to offshore companies, while only 10% are here in the States. So, of the 10%, white males get the least opp for jobs because of affirmitative action. So, when it is all said and done, a white male in Charlotte experiences the greatest of racism!
Your column and continous game of playing the race card is a joke.
Mr. Anti-Affirmative action....400 years of servitude and oppression deserve some manipulation of the landscape don't you think? Its nobody's fault, we've all been socialized by this thing called race - which know one wishes to talk about. If you think this column is a joke why waste your time writing in? The same people who complain about the race card being played usually are the same oblivious, if not ignorant, fools who actually believe that America has a level playing field. Now that, is a joke.
First off, I'm an African-American male and from an African-American perspective, I will say the reason there aren't a lot of establishments that cater to a lot of "US" uptown is simple, a lot of "US" don't know how to act! I'm not into clubbing, but I do know what happens, especially with a lot of the hip-hop heads. If some of "US" would know how to act sometimes, then maybe a lot owners will be more willing to open more establishments that cater to a lot of "US". While Tonya Jameson likes to stir the pot in regards to race, apparently she has a bit of revisionist history. If you recall, they had a club called Connections uptown. The reason it's no longer around is because there was a shooting that resulted in 1 or 2 people being killed. Once again, the actions of a few knuckleheads is what's messing things up for everyone else. So before you go on this emotional rant about uptown not opening more things for black folks, you need to realize that a lot of "US" are our own worst enemy.
I visited Charlotte last weekend, went uptown, I was amazed at all of the activity that was going on there. There was people everywhere and traffic was definately heavy on Trade and Tryon. Uptown to me does have a nice vibe and I saw people of many different races all over the place. So to answer your question, is there diversity in Uptown? the answer is yes!
This is for the gentleman who posted comments that have a time stamp of 2:30pm (just a couple of post before this one). I so totally agree with you that "us" don't know how to act..and that Tonya electively has choosen to remind folks about a Hip Hop club that was uptown that had MURDERS! This all goes back to safety. IF someone gives off a vibe of negativity or violence, then I say don't let them in- regardless of color.
If you have any questions of what a Professional Upscale Diverse and progressive uptown crowd is, go to the parties I go to. WWW.InnerCircleEvents.com
For the record, although I don't agree with Tonya Jameson playing the race card in most of her articles, but the comments displayed by some of you is downright deplorable. It's one thing to disagree with Ms. Jameson on some of the things she says, but to just go out and resort to name-calling and attacking her character is childish and immature. How would you all like it if someone attacked you and called you names just because they didn't agree with you? C'mon people, be a little more mature than that! Furthermore, for some of you that wants to question her sexuality, has she ever came out of the closet and admitted to being a lesbian? Just because Ms. Jameson wears a short haircut and tries to push a homosexual agenda doesn't necessarliy make her a lesbian. Like I said, I don't agree with some of the things Tonya Jameson says, but at the same time, I'm not going to attack her character if I don't know anything about her personal life. Thank you for hearing me out!
FYI... She went on a radio show and admitted that she is in fact a lesbian.. So more powet to her for coming **out**.. Just wanted to add this piece of information..
My first visit to this blog. I live in West Lincoln County, but sometimes come downtown.
Music can be a big factor in what type of clientele comes to a particular club.
Sure there are young white folks who enjoy hip-hop, but the overwhelming majority of enthusiasts are Black.
(sorry, I'm almost 50, and Malcolm X was Black, not African American--if it was good enough for him, it damn sure ought to be good enough for you)
If a club owner doesn't want to attract black patrons (or any other group for that matter), having music that those patrons won't listen to is a good way of not attracting them. I don't care how cheap the drinks are, a group of young Black men and women aren't going into a club playing Tammy Wynette and George Jones.
He doesn't need to order his bouncers to racially profile the patrons as they enter and find a reason to keep them out.
Seems to me that "Dance Music", not Hip Hop seems to bring the most diverse crowd to a club. Most people enjoy dancing, it's never been color specific.
BTW, it's PLESSY V FERGUSON. And I don't see anymore White Only or "colored only" Jim Crow type signs in the South anymore, though my first trip down in 1967 I sure did.
I don't know Tonya from Adam's Housecat. And I don't think it's anyone's place to judge her. Homosexuals are born that way. At least that's what the half dozen homosexual friends I have related to me. No different than her race. It was pre-decided.
AFA Playing the "race card"--I just don't get it. Forget Sec.Rice, Colin Powell,Clarence Thomas and JC Watts, et.al--any Race card player would just call them sell-outs. A Black man I know who started out as a Navy Enlisted man, and now owns 2 Ford Dealerships in the NC Mountains, once told me that in his opinion, if Black folks just went out there and worked hard and persevered and didn't give up, instead of looking for the government to give them a break, or whine about 400 years of oppression that they haven't spent a day under themselves, they would be getting ahead much quicker.
Odd too, because another Black man I know who started working for McDonalds--one of those jobs that young black kids today derisively call "burger flipper" jobs, stayed with it and owns 2 McDonald's stores in Louisiana. He said more important than his color, was his experience and the financial backing he got.
I came from a huge city to a small city. Uptown, they see the color of you NOT the color of money. Big mistake!!!
Anyway...comments like the above are almost laughable. No one can deny the impact that "black" culture has had on popular culture as a whole. To waste anymore than the sentence I already have on replying to such stupidity is sad. Admin, please leave his/her comments on the blog to remind us that it still takes ALL KINDS, no matter how ignorant and foolish, for the world to operate. In my very humble opinion, this topic is very important...no matter how many feathers it ruffles. -Black Male
hehehe I see the true colors are coming out. Ya'll can't even go to a local mall without trying to shoot someone! Whats up with that?
Folks..please do not entertain N_Hater. Just as I would someone to ignore anyone who uses the Race card too often. We are all grown adults, therefore let's engage in adult conversation. I hope this doesn't frighten the room, but Diversity is NOT just skin color. After reading most of the postings, I feel I might have to validate my opinion that Charlotte (within the city limits) is VERY diverse. Did you know there are 16 Gay bars here? Did you know that Bank of America, Wachovia, etc all have Charlotte Gay Pride Chapters they sponsor? Did you know there is a yearly gay pride festival held here? I am a firm believer that those whose say "Diversity" doesn't exist here are simply those who choose to close off new ideas/people, resulting in them doing the same little ol' thang every weekend. I moved here from Hartford, CT. The entire Hartford metro only has 2 gay bars, yet Charlotte city limits has 16 gay bars. Plus, gay bingo, pride rallies, RAIN network, etc. I feel more accepted here than I ever did in Connecticut. So, stop focusing on color (remember, the Civil War is OVER!). Focus on true Diversity, not skin color.
At what piont in life did you become gay?
At what point in life did you become or decide to be straight? When you ask yourself the same question, then you have to realize most gay people are going to respond just like a straight person would- "I've always been this way". Just as there are folks with polite personalities, there are folks with rude personalities. Just as folks like opposites, there are those who like the same. Life is really simple when you look at it just as you look at yourself.
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