OPINION & EDITORIAL
Political correctness fails to make racism go away
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Also by Rob Rossmeissl:
- Trolley proposal deserves thought (May 1, 2007)
- U.S. should re-evaluate free trade agreements to improve economy (April 24, 2007)
- High quality city inspires progress (April 17, 2007)
- Comic relief important in movies (April 9, 2007)
- Shout outs harbor hatred (March 26, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Majestic loses sparkle; city should close club (September 14, 2006)
- Education will help drinking culture (April 26, 2007)
- Strip joints protected, too (March 30, 2005)
- Bah humbug! Get that goddamn evergreen out of my Capitol! (November 29, 2007)
- Merry 'Santa-mas' to you (November 29, 2007)
by Rob Rossmeissl
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Recently, Madison's Alcohol License Establishment Response Team met with concerned neighbors of the Capitol area to discuss the future of Club Majestic. The club, known for its rhythmic music and lively environment, was called into question for supposedly being linked to related acts of rowdiness and violence in its vicinity.
A local neighborhood association, Capitol Neighborhoods Inc., labeled the club's patrons "gangsters." Other suggestions at the meeting called for measures as drastic as disallowing the club to play hip-hop music.
Perhaps it should be mentioned that many of the people who frequent Club Majestic are black.
Local residents are entitled to peace and quiet in their neighborhood. However, it is absolutely outrageous that many of the ideas put forth at the recent meeting were little more than thinly veiled attempts to repel black people from the area.
Unfortunately, implicitly racist practices are hardly uncommon in today's society — a society that seemingly believes itself to have eradicated racism. Sadly, these practices are largely the result of political correctness; a philosophy intended to have the opposite effect.
In Madison, one has to look no further than the dress codes at certain bars to understand how the racism believed by many to be wiped out has simply been replaced by a more subtle form. At downtown establishments like Johnny O's, dress codes are in place to prohibit the wearing of clothing that is baggy or not sufficiently "dressy." Owners of these businesses can simply hide behind a politically correct clause of equality, denying that there exist cultural fads maintained more by one particular societal/ethnic faction than by others. This allows the implementation of obviously racist methods for screening clientele at the door. I'm sorry, but a white guy who belongs to the College Republicans simply isn't that likely to be sporting FUBU gear.
It's not that today's implicit racism has popped up only as the result of a society hell-bent on political correctness. In reality, employers, restaurants and other businesses have always practiced hush-hush procedures to disenfranchise the minorities they didn't approve of. However, what the current politically correct sentiment has created is an environment in which racism, sexism, etc., can be conveniently codified without fear of legal repercussions.
If proponents of political correctness had hoped to achieve — however naively — a society of equality via the implementation of their philosophy, they have failed miserably.
Every time a middle-aged white guy in the suburbs sarcastically says the word "multiculturalism," he is simply getting away with saying "those damn minorities." Every time an anchor on "Fox News" says "Mz." in reference to a woman, men in rural Idaho can see his tiny eye roll and relax, knowing the network holds the same stereotypes as them. And every time Trent Lott uses the term "African-American" in an apology, good old boys can laugh at the clear insincerity.
In a way, political correctness has been the biggest gift ever given to chauvinism. Today, bigots are able to bypass off-kilter terms and convey their hatred and bias in a socially acceptable code.
There is no easy solution in dealing with the negative effects of political correctness. On the one hand, were political correctness to be eliminated, society would benefit, as people would quickly learn the vast extent to which racism, sexism and the like still exist. This would, presumably, help in resolving many of these issues. On the other hand, it would be painful for many minorities to hear society revert to terminology that for so long was equated with oppression and hate.
Perhaps the best solution, for now, is to simply call bigots on their politically correct bluffs. If a club owner enacts a racist dress code, the community must boycott his club. If racists sarcastically refer to "Native Americans," they should be forced to use the terminology they're insinuating with their tone. And if any neighbors of Club Majestic want the club to ban hip-hop, people should petition their favorite establishments to enact a dress code requiring FUBU clothing for entry.
Rob Rossmeissl (rrossmeissl@badgerherald.com) is a junior majoring in journalism and political science.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 8:14am):
The issue was never about clothing or music anyway. It's all about conduct. If you enter an establishment and behave in a hostile manner toward the other patrons and employees, then you're gonna get booted out. And not all miscreants getting kicked out are black. Many of them are also white. Race doesn't mean a thing, and there's no way any business could possibly get away with discrimination without it becoming public knowledge.
There plenty of folks who know better than to accept a lame excuse for ejecting someone because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, etc. They will demand a justifiable reason for it.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 8:27am):
The negative attitude is not directed at the Majestic because of the race of it guests, but their behavior. If white rockers where exiting the club fighting, yelling, and destroying property The argument would not be about race, but about the actions of those people.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 8:33am):
Good luck Rob, you're about to get raped by the neo connies. Peace be with you, and good article. Although it is going to be hard for the connies to complain about your stance on PCism, since they've been bitching about the term since the 80s.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 8:49am):
Are you kidding me?
A) Dress Codes are not racist. Bars like Johnny O's want a certain atmosphere. Would you go to L'Etoile wearing FUBU and Sean John (admittedly some of the Sean John suits are actually nice, but you know what I mean)?
Let's be honest. So-called "hip hop" clothing, whether worn by whites or blacks, is downright ugly. And you're right: IT'S A FAD. You want to go to a nice restaurant or bar, you put on a nice shirt, jeans, etc. You don't wear your pants down to your knees or a throwback jersey. That's not proper attire for anywhere except a gym. Also, you know where the styles originated? PRISON. So. You want to dress like a prisoner? You're not going to be allowed into a place that requires you dress like a normal person. You don't have to be wearing a pink shirt with a popped collar, you just have to be wearing something that would be acceptable in 95% of the country. You have a problem with that? Drink at the Red Shed.
B) I will go easy on you for this because you're a junior, but remember Stillwaters? They once had hip-hop nights. Then SOMEONE GOT SHOT AT ONE. The shooter had caused disturbances at a hip-hop night at ANOTHER BAR earlier. I don't doubt that most hip-hop fans are normal people, but you know what? If a minority of people that come to hear that music cause problems AT EVERY VENUE, maybe people in the community are right to say something.
This has nothing to do with Black or White, and everything to do with being civilized. Get off your soapbox, kid.
William Patterson (February 15, 2006 @ 9:00am):
I was at that meeting of the Alert Team and spoke. I am a member of Capitol Neighborhoods.
I think that it is not fair to say that Capitol Neighborhoods labeled the club's patrons "gansters". That description was unfortunatly used by one member of the neighborhood association. Mamy of us share the ccocerns of that individual, but would choose different words to express that concertn.
I mentioned that I am part of Dane Dances!, that brings 4,000 - 5,000 people downtown on Fridays in August for free concerts with live music (and alcohol) to celebrate the diversity in our community. About 30% of the people at the dances are people of color and like our other patrons, them come from all over the area. In six years, we have never have never had to call the police for an incident. So, the problem is not people of color coming to downtown Madison.
Hip-hop is not my favorite type of music, but I have to respect it because it is so popular. I don't see wny there should be any negative labeling of people who like hip-hop.
I do think that the some of the bar dress codes are at a minimun insensitive and probably considered racist by many.
I think that we need to do what we can to improve race relations amd make all people welcome in our community. Part of this is realizing what biases and prejudices exist so we can start working on eliminating them That is why I suggested that we show the movie "Crash" downtown at the meeting as a way to initiate a dialogue about the problems we need to overcome.
Dane Dances chose the Sly and the Family Stone song "Everyday People" as our theme song because it says that no matter what color we are, how much or little we make, how fat or thin we are or whatever, we are all all the same and "everday people" and "We need to live together". I have suggested that it be considerd as the Madison theme song so that Madison can make a strong statement about our community.
We are bringing Dane Dances! to the Memorial Union Terrace on August 18.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 11:02am):
OK, you guys ran essentially this same article LAST YEAR. The dress code started at Brothers, because the people who were wearing the clothes that are restricted by these dress codes were getting in fights, including fights that involved weapons. It was putting both other patrons and employees at risk. You would've been a freshman or not even here, Mr. Rossmeissl, when the dress codes began, so you wouldn't know anything about the war zone that Brothers became on Wednesday nights.
And no, it isn't racist. Why? Because when I, a skinny Jewish guy, try to walk into these bars with a jersey on, they tell me to take it off or not come in. Essentially, it just says "Look decent." Places all across the country tell people to look decent. It is their perogative to do so, as long as they apply it evenly to everyone. Oh, and guess what: Since the dress code was established, the violence has stopped.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 12:05pm):
You're missing the point. They're trying to get the "gangsters," as they call them, out. The kind of people that start fights at bars and act like thugs. It's sad to admit, but most of them happen to be black.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 12:07pm):
These business owners have the right to impose any sort of dress code they like. If you are so worried about the advancement of minorities, perhaps you should spend time helping certain subgroups understand that dress is one of the ways in each people are judged by employers and fellow citizens.
Your article brings to mind the ridiculous uproar over identity cards for voting. Anybody seriously worried about "disenfranchised" voters would think about how they could help those people get IDs (needed to drive, work, bank, etc) rather than treating them as a stupid populus useful only as long as they vote Democrat.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 12:39pm):
"Anybody seriously worried about "disenfranchised" voters would think about how they could help those people get IDs (needed to drive, work, bank, etc) rather than treating them as a stupid populus useful only as long as they vote Democrat."
The Dems don't need them to work - only to vote.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 4:16pm):
You claim that political correctness is being used by racists. I guess they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. If a white man dressed as a red neck says n***** he's a racist. If the same white man says "african american" he's still a racist, because you claim he said it sarcastically?
But people also use PC on the other side of the issue. It is a simple fact that black neighborhoods have higher crime rates. But whenever someone says something like "blacks cause trouble" the NAACP cries "racism." There is always a little truth to every stereotype. If a group doesn't want to be treated unfairly, then they need to do their part to act civilized. Blacks do have a crime problem. But using PC terms and saying "everyone is equal" isn't going to make that problem go away. We need to be honest and confont these problems as they are.
So if a bar owner recognizes that people who dress a certain way are more likely to cause trouble, it's reasonable for him to deny those people entry. But I seriously doubt that a restaurant is going to turn away a black man in a business suit. Likewise, I seriously doubt they will allow in a white man with his pants at his knees, cap on backwards, with gold chains and a shirt that says "playa".
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 5:48pm):
"We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke"
"No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke"
That's what God recommends
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 5:53pm):
"It is a simple fact that black neighborhoods have higher crime rates. But whenever someone says something like "blacks cause trouble" the NAACP cries "racism." There is always a little truth to every stereotype."
You are kidding me right? Blacks cause trouble?! And you are actually trying to defend this idea? And yet you get mad when liberals try to paint you as a racist when you spout off obviously racist sentances like this. Not racist as in not allowing people to wear hip hop clothing, racist as in Deep South 1950s lynching racist. This is pathetic. There are plenty of ways to break down the crime rate in black areas, but it is a very broad leap to say "Blacks Cause Trouble."
Although maybe there is some truth in stereotypes, like ones that say conservatives are overwhemingly opposed to minority progress and that people from Texas can't complete a sentance or that 78 year old men shouldn't go hunting illegally.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 5:54pm):
Rob,
I live in Manhattan, across the street from a hip-hop club. The residents of w.26th street have been trying to get this place closed down for two years. Residents have put up tens of thousands of dollars of their own money to get this place shut down.
Why? Because three early mornings a week (the club closes at 4am), Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the street erupts in fights, bass music that shakes the apartments, and on one occasion since I've lived here, a gun fight. The patrons are black, who cares. This has nothing to do with racism. It has everything to do with safety and quality sleep.
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 6:39pm):
Great column rob, inspiring work, as per usual. keep it up
Anonymous (February 15, 2006 @ 7:55pm):
Rob, you are seriously out of touch with the subject matter here. You can't seem to figure out that there is indeed an element of hip-hop culture that is thug/gangsta oriented, and that this element does manifest itself at Club Majestic. To simply pin down African-Americans as jersey wearing club goers who are all effected by this dress code smacks of classism. Why you didn't mention the fact the the King Club, which is right across the street, hosts hip-hop events with no problem is beyond me. It always amazes me when white college students paint with such a broad brush when describing African-Americans and hip-hop in Madison.
