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  • ACLU Protests Power & Light Dress Code

    Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 07:57:35 AM

    By DAVID MARTIN

    David Cook fans who attended last night's American Idol show at the Sprint Center encountered a picket line. The ACLU's Racial Justice Program organized a protest against the dress code at the Power & Light District.

    The ACLU and members of the City Council have complained that the Power & Light District's dress code -- which forbids white T-shirts and baggy clothing-- discriminates against African-Americans. Officials at the Cordish Co., the district's developer, have listened to the objections but held firm. "Nothing was resolved," ACLU attorney Joy Springfield said, "so that's why were here."

    Most of the dozen protestors wore white T-shirts and held signs with messages such as "Race neutral" and "KC gave Cordish millions in tax breaks and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." Richard Mabion, a community activist who lives in Kansas City, Kansas, intermittently yelled, "Open it up," as he marched. Mabion wore a shirt he picked up a Quindaro event, not the plain, extra-long white tee popular with young people.

    The protestors stayed on the Sprint Center side of Grand Boulevard, deigning not to test the policy. "No civil disobedience today," one of the marchers said.

    The protest baffled a few concertgoers. The ones who were able to determine that a dress code (and not Simon Cowell) was the subject of protest then had to glean that the offending policy applied to the entertainment district, not the arena. A radio station's Hummer, parked on the street and equipped with powerful speakers, kept the mood light; Paul Carrack and Eddie Money are not exactly protest singers.

    ACLU organizer Lisa Watson has talked with Cordish officials and hopes the conversation continues. The ACLU, Watson said, has volunteered to host to a town-hall meeting to discuss the policy. "We want them to come to the table," she said of Cordish.

    Watson suggested that the dress code took away from the lively atmosphere the city was trying to create when it built a new arena and subsidized the Power & Light District. "We can't have this small-time attitude and say we're trying to get to the next level," she said.

    25 Comments:

    Mike S. says:

    This is another example of the radical black agenda that continues to foster such racist attitudes in this country. These protestors look ridiculous and totally wasted their time. Cordish will not give in to the demands of a few people who want to look like thugs in their property! I can just see all the guys holding on to their pants around their knees walking around an upscale entertainment district! No one would come back. Do black people think this was built solely for them???!!! THIS IS NOT A SMALL TIME ATTITUDE! There are dress codes in every town and city so why is KC different??!!

    Radical Black Agenda Leader 532 says:

    Mike S is on to us! Our plan was to endure slavery, racism, and then societally induced unequality for hundreds of years . . . all so, one day, we could make Mike S uncomfortable with our baggy clothing! Retreat! Retreat!

    what chu think? says:

    the power and white district.

    Gotmysupport says:

    The dress code has my full support. Its not a racist policy - its a business policy to protect an investment. Does the Apollo club let in dudes with skinhead outfits?

    gus says:

    i suppose you dress code supporters can all defend it in concept, but what about the execution, or all those stories about groups of minorities being turned away even when they fit the code?

    another thing, some people say the code is clearly listed and other's say its not posted, which is it? can we have some real reporting on this? i feel like everyones all about debating it's fucked-upedness but noboyds really clearly reporting whats happenign.

    p and l for all says:

    Similar dress codes are found in large cities. This is to set the minimum requirements for dress when you enter the district. Once you enter the district, the clubs/bars reserve the right to post their own dress code and refuse business to anyone. The dress code is to set a standard of dress for the district. It is not trying to stereotype anyone. When people dress in baggy pants and long white t's, they are wanting to be classified into a certain group. It's no coincidence that they all got up and put on the same style of clothes. They want to dress a certain way so people look at them as being thugish or gangsta. The P&L district is an upscale district with premium branding and prices. This isn't Westport People. Here's an Idea: Dress like a respectable and responsible adult, and you will be able to get into the district and enjoy all of the bars/clubs that it has to offer. Believe me, Cordish wants to offer the district to everyone. They are looking to make money like any other business.

    Gotmysupport says:

    Gus - can you document a single case of minority being turned away who was dressed properly (and not acting the fool)? I doubt that you can... other than heresay...

    Gotmysupport says:

    Gus - can you document a single case of minority being turned away who was dressed properly (and not acting the fool)? I doubt that you can... other than heresay...

    gus says:

    that's exactly it,. gotmysupport. i keep hearing things like that on forums like this but nobody ever documents it. my gut is that the code is bullshit and that its vague and not posted and meant to keep out black men but i cant find any accurate reporting on it. i dont trust tonys kc and i also have better taste than to go to power and light myself. so, id there any real reporting on this or just message booard rumors?

    Jazzman says:

    Oh yes Mike S. all the bars and restaurants cater to black people and especially those in white-T's!!!!! Come on give me a break; All though a cultural urban style we are not asking the establishments to allow black people with baggy clothes, we are saying make it a fair dress code and either ban all t-'s baggy or no as well as baggy pants and shorts all though that would be impossible. Cordish has this issue in other cities as well so it’s nothing new. It’s always easier to say get over it when its not you or your race that is targeted; it always easier to if that’s not your style of dress. Now this is a cultural racist issue because it started as a black way of dressing and it is targeted to keep us out plain and simple. Look around, even tax breaks has caused our only money making restaurant to move out our neighborhood. P&LD is not meant for black people and guess what they don’t care how we fill or the other establishments in the area that had to shut down. I pay taxes and should be allowed to wear what I want; I am for dress codes if there is a really nice upscale establishment but to initially get into the paddy o’ or what ever you call it is really stupid when you are still out side.

    Jazzman says:

    Oh yes Mike S. all the bars and restaurants cater to black people and especially those in white-T's!!!!! Come on give me a break; All though a cultural urban style we are not asking the establishments to allow black people with baggy clothes, we are saying make it a fair dress code and either ban all t-'s baggy or no as well as baggy pants and shorts all though that would be impossible. Cordish has this issue in other cities as well so it’s nothing new. It’s always easier to say get over it when its not you or your race that is targeted; it always easier to if that’s not your style of dress. Now this is a cultural racist issue because it started as a black way of dressing and it is targeted to keep us out plain and simple. Look around, even tax breaks has caused our only money making restaurant to move out our neighborhood. P&LD is not meant for black people and guess what they don’t care how we fill or the other establishments in the area that had to shut down. I pay taxes and should be allowed to wear what I want; I am for dress codes if there is a really nice upscale establishment but to initially get into the paddy o’ or what ever you call it is really stupid when you are still out side.

    Cordish does not have the right to exclude the taxpayers who have subsidized the cost of the P&L complex. Many of those taxpayers don the baggy pants they outlaw. An individual's attire is not indicative of criminal intent. This is ridiculous and as lame an attempt to cloak the real truth as I've ever seen. This town has taken a giant step in the wrong direction. But so long as you can have a beer and not worry about Darkies descending on your beloved watering hole... Carry on. This is far from over and Cordish will continue to hear from the people until they address the issue.

    Anonymous says:

    i'm just still amazed that anyone gives a shit about this place when there is so much else to do in this city that doesn't involve shitty chain bars or dress codes.

    Donny says:

    How is this dress code any different than what a lot of schools require? How is this dress code different than what a lot of African-American owned establishments downtown require?

    This is not about race no matter how you try and spin it. The simple fact of the matter is that most of these business cater to a crowd of over people over the age of 21 the nights that the dress code is in place. At this age should we not be able to expect that everyone dress in a manner that does not resemble an association with a criminal element, or if you were preparing for a night of laying on the coach eating Fritos? The are places of business, and all business have always under US laws reserved the right to refuse service to anyone. If you can't go out and enjoy a night on the town with out having to throw on clothing that makes others around you uneasy then why go? What some of the other posters have failed to recognize is that if our downtown area is going to continue to grow, and prosper, and more money is going to be put into rebuilding the dying areas of the city, people from outside the downtown area need to feel as if it is safe to travel into those areas or they will never visit them and we will jsut end up with another Crown Center and more inner urban plight. The PDL has created jobs, and re-vitilized an area of the city that was ignored for years. If they wish for it to continue to grow and be a healthy part of the city those concerned with the dress code need to acknowledge and accept that their are steotypes associated with that kind of dress that are founded in fact, and statistics. When you strap on a pair of baggy pants , a wife beater, and some timberlands you know what kind of message you are trying to send to those who see you. Don't be so niave to say that you don't. Same as if you throw on a suit and tie, or torn pants and a tie dyed shirt. You are trying to send a specific message to those who see you. The developers of PDL understand that they need people to feel safe down there to draw in the people with the most disposible income, and have put rules in place to ensure that. Maybe some of you should travel to like Boston, were their downtowns are thriving because people feel safe and the entire city is winning because of it. Get of your high horse and look at the world for how it is. Your gangster look or your hippy bum look make people uneasy, if you want to come down to PDL, dress with a little more sence towards what they want PDL to be. It's their business at stake not yours.

    n2realCITIES says:

    In the words of my Aunt:"Let's face it" they dont want black men down there to scare off and in most cases, attract and steal their white women from them.lol...its the truth. They should not waste time by making these dress code policies and post: NO BLACK PEOPLE. Point blank. I don't give a flying F**K about going to P&LD. If you do get into there they give you shi**y service and funny looks.
    Remember people, this is a distric in downtown. Downtown K.C. is still crappy. The day I can spend a whole day downtown in K.C. with family and/or friends or bymyself(like Chicago, NY even Minneapolis or Village West in KCK)is the day I would really be intrested in going downtown in K.C. There are no shops, no good restaraunts, movie theaters,no recreation.Come on in my opinion its still dead.

    n2realCITIES says:

    In the words of my Aunt:"Let's face it" they dont want black men down there to scare off and in most cases, attract and steal their white women from them.lol...its the truth. They should not waste time by making these dress code policies and post: NO BLACK PEOPLE. Point blank. I don't give a flying F**K about going to P&LD. If you do get into there they give you shi**y service and funny looks.
    Remember people, this is a distric in downtown. Downtown K.C. is still crappy. The day I can spend a whole day downtown in K.C. with family and/or friends or bymyself(like Chicago, NY even Minneapolis or Village West in KCK)is the day I would really be intrested in going downtown in K.C. There are no shops, no good restaraunts, movie theaters,no recreation.Come on in my opinion its still dead.

    n2realCITIES says:

    In the words of my Aunt:"Let's face it" they dont want black men down there to scare off and in most cases, attract and steal their white women from them.lol...its the truth. They should not waste time by making these dress code policies and post: NO BLACK PEOPLE. Point blank. I don't give a flying F**K about going to P&LD. If you do get into there they give you shi**y service and funny looks.
    Remember people, this is a distric in downtown. Downtown K.C. is still crappy. The day I can spend a whole day downtown in K.C. with family and/or friends or bymyself(like Chicago, NY even Minneapolis or Village West in KCK)is the day I would really be intrested in going downtown in K.C. There are no shops, no good restaraunts, movie theaters,no recreation.Come on in my opinion its still dead.

    Jazzman says:

    Donny I hear you on them catering to crouds over 21 but its not about showing half you ass or shirts that come down to you ankels. Its about the double standard that they enforce. When I say iots a cultural rasist thing I mean yes Black people of all ages wear white-t's and pants that are baggier unfortuanly you have the younger croud that wear some onf the same stuff but to an extreme. Can I documnet when I saw a group of black people turned away; well I remember the day but I didnt take video of it. I can also tell to the day's that white people got in with similar out fits and wasnt turbned away. I can tell you about people dressing forthe purpose of a themed bar and getting in. So I guess this tells me that if (wont happen) P&L ever open a hiphop bar then the baggy white-T wearing people can get in because they are dressing for a theme.

    I decided not to go back but its simply not for me at this point; too many stuck up clicks and Johnson county people that act like they own the area. I just hnag out in Johnson county lol :>) I will say this the dress code is posted; yes the dress code has changed a bit and yes it is a hub for black guys to pick up white girls so if you want to at least do that then abide by the rules and get you a white girl. lol!

    Jazzman says:

    Donny I hear you on them catering to crowds over 21 but its not about showing half you ass or shirts that come down to you ankles. It’s about the double standard that they enforce. When I say its a cultural racist thing I mean yes Black people of all ages wear white-t's and pants that are baggier unfortunately you have the younger crowd that wear some of the same stuff but to an extreme. Can I document when I saw a group of black people turned away; well I remember the day but I didn’t take video of it. I can also tell to the day's that white people got in with similar out fits and wasn’t turned away. I can tell you about people dressing for the purpose of a themed bar and getting in. So I guess this tells me that if (wont happen) P&L ever open a hip-hop bar then the baggy white-T wearing people can get in because they are dressing for a theme.

    I decided not to go back but its simply not for me at this point; too many stuck up clicks and Johnson county people that act like they own the area. I just hang out in Johnson county lol :>) I will say this the dress code is posted; yes the dress code has changed a bit and yes it is a hub for black guys to pick up white girls so if you want to at least do that then abide by the rules and get you a white girl. lol!

    Mary B says:

    This is not a black or white issue, it's a dress code issue. They have every right to require a certain dress in their multi million dollar complex, just like any other privately owned business. I think it's racist to say that blacks are incapable of adhering to a well-dressed dress code and whites are somehow already more prone to properly dress for a more glamorous setting, like it just comes naturally to them. There are plenty of white men who prefer baggy clothes and t-shirts and are willing to dress up to go out on the town but for some reason it is racist to ask black men to wear nice clothes...It's just another example of liberal America trying to once again make every issue a race issue so they have something to complain about.

    mary b says:

    kdjfk

    mary b says:

    kdjfk

    Mary B says:

    Also, I do realize that my comment above may indicate that I incorrectly think that P&L is privately owned. I realize that is not a privately owned business because it was our tax dollars that subsidized it (although certain individuals put more money into the project), but most tax payers are paying for a certain environment, a more upscale glitzy environment and that comes with a certain dress code. I think blacks are just as capable of stepping up their dress a notch. Look at the type of restaurants and bars in that area and tell me that baggy clothes and big t-shirts would be appropriate for that setting.

    Mg says:

    I can see everyone has a different stance on this dress code situation. So, allow me to give my experience. Myself(a white nurse) and my husband(a white government employee) went down to the power and light district to meet up with friends. When we got there we were informed that my husbands attire was not acceptable. Apparently his brand new $100 jeans has too many destructivee holes in them and he A WHITE MAN that works for the GOVERNMENT was not allowed in. So we went back to our hotel changed his jeans and walked right through with no problems. So call it what you may, but simply there is a time and place to wear certain things and this place is one of them. If I recall correctly America's Pub has the same dress code and nobody's lining up at there door protesting. Grow up, dress up, and have fun!

    Fadedsuede says:

    Does anyone recall where this "urban clothing" style came from? Ultra-Baggy pants that shows off your underwear/buttcheeks started in PRISON as a way for a gay man to let other prisoners know that he is interested in gay activities (you figure it out). Now, black men everywhere are saying that since it is now part of their culture that it is racist to deny access based on this thug trash felon inspired way of dress. Why would anyone want to adopt a way of dress that was inspired by felons unless you want to be considered as part of the same group?

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