What Should I Do About Racism at a Bar?

dar482number2 · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 12577

Yesterday, two of my friends and I went to a local "pub" to watch the Yankees game. All the people in there are white. Someone from the bar walks over to take the order, my friend (lets call him Bob) orders a Sam Adams and my other friend (lets call him David) orders a Blue Moon. Bob and I are both Asian and David is white. She tells the bartender and he screams at my friend that they do not serve Sam Adams. This is a bit strange, but we live in New York, so I can maybe see some anti-Boston sentiment.
He asks Bob to come over to the bar since we were at a table. The bartender tells Bob that he can go over to "Bell Blvd" if he wants a Sam Adams. I hear this and think it's a joke, but slowly realize that he's suggesting that we go to an area that is populated by more Asians. My friend then says he only has $5 on him and asks what he can get for that. The bartender screams that he should gets the door for that and again says he should go to "Bell Blvd." This is a suburb of New York City, we know for a fact there are beers for $5 or less. Bob promptly sits down with us and we decide to leave because it is incredibly awkward.

What kind of action should I take against this?

Toku · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

either bring the ruckus, or stop going there. These aren't hugely difficult courses of action to decide on.

-T
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Luvnotwar10 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

You could probably maybe get his liquor license rescinded.

dar482number2 · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 12577

I know it's not substantial to do something now, but I should've stood up to say something. I've sent complaints or called about officers, airlines, and dozens of restaurants. I don't know why I didn't stand up this time.
There probably isn't a clear case, but if I protested, I bet the man would've definitely upped the ante.

Mayael · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 175

My view on these situations is always this:

If you want to help this [Censored] pay his monthly bills or put his kids through college, frequent that establishment and help him to be profitable.

If you would rather his kind disappear from the face of the earth, don't fight for the privilege of being allowed to give him money.

If you go back there to till him off, guess who the cops will see as the trouble-maker when he calls them.

NemoomeN · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:37 am Post subject:

Can't private entities choose not to serve anyone they want?

I understand if there are some racism rules in place, but I don't agree with them.

Not that I'm pro-racism.

It's just hard to prove that it was strictly a racial thing, and not just because the guy thought you were gonna steal something or something like that.

/aaaaand we have a thread
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VictorVonDoom · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:45 am Post subject:

If the answer isn't sacrifice your closest loved one for the deal with the demons, then Doom is stumped!
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utibay · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:12 am Post subject:

Look, you live in NYC, I live in NYC; you're Asian and I'm Asian. Racist stuff get said every day -- either you roll over and take it like a b*tch and perpetuate the situation or you bark back. If someone acts like that to your friend, stand up for him. Hell, I wouldn't let ANY loser bartender act like a b*tch to ANY of my friends whether they're being racist or not.

This is not tough guy talk by any means. I'm so sick of seeing other people, especially other Asians, being on the receiving end of some of the most blatant bigoted remarks, only to drop their heads and meekly walk away. Every single time you don't call someone out when they do sh*t like that, you validate that behavior to everyone around you.

I can't really tell if your situation is racist, but either way, don't stand by as he makes a fool of your friend. You should have said something, but that's fine too if you didn't -- write a letter to the owner that's your post reworded only in letter form. End by telling him that you go to NYU and that you will make a specific point to tell every other student you know both on campus and in your dorm to steer clear of that bar, and to go to the school newspaper. If you get no response, don't make the aforementioned an empty threat.
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FrankGuevara · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 1149 Location: NJ/NYC

Jimmy_Page · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:09 am Post subject:

Mo0gLe · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:11 am Post subject:

Dear Asian people,

Move to Vancouver. You simply can't get away with being publicly racist towards Asians.

Space_Stormy · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:35 am Post subject:

Mr. Fantastic

fedaykin13 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:03 am Post subject:

That sucks Dar.

The situation is over.
I don't think there is any going back now to tell the guy off or whatever.

All you can do now is not go there, tell your friends not to go there, and maybe somehow get on that 'brooklyn vegan' blog and tell all the hipsters not to go there and why.

so you didn't say anything to the guy?
its ok. it would have been nice if you had
but sometimes the shock and awe of an ass hole
leaves you open-mouthed
happens to the best of us.

i'd also like the name of the bar so i can make sure I never go there.

also.
are you sure it was racist?
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utibay · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:22 am Post subject:

NemoomeN · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:12 am Post subject:

FrankGuevara · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 1149 Location: NJ/NYC

I got told, didn't I? Really, I didn't mean to go set an arson fire on the bar after hours or something. I wanted utibay to make sure people there know that it is never alright to denigrate anyone, especially because of their race/creed. Ghandi used passive resistance, which though it has the word "passive" in it, was a way to fight opression... to fight against the repressive powers that be. But I think you guys knew that and just like posting pictures/dismissive statements.
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saintandre · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 2182

I would stand in front of the bar and ask patrons for donations to the Hiroshima Peace Institute (or the Asian-themed charity of your choice). Make the guy give you a hard time in a way that forces him to look like an ass.

Some Asian charities:

Hiroshima Peace Institute (they fight nuclear proliferation)
Ashinaga (they buy textbooks for orphans)
CCAI (they buy food for orphans in China)
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ReAnimator420 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

NemoomeN · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

ReAnimator420 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

yeah i was having problems with the linking, forgot filter will pwn urls too. Embarassed

Joe_Grim · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 1106

http://www.justice.gov/crt/crim/statutes.php

What he did is illegal. Not just civilly, but criminally, under federal law.

Go again and this time, if he doesn't serve you, show him this print out, and loudly explain that if he doesn't give you your goddamn beer you're going to call the cops and have his ass thrown in jail.
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mrfridays · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:

Bartender was a douchenozzle. However, to those suggesting legal action, or sting operations, get real. There is absolutely zero legal recourse here because the bartender never said anything discriminatory. Yes, we all know what he meant to say, but please go and try to win a case on what your interpretation of what was said, or what you think he meant. Good luck with that one.

Legally a private establishment has the right to refuse service to anyone for their own reasons, at any time, provided that the objection isn't on basis of race, creed, or any other federally protected designation. All they have to do is say they did not feel comfortable serving the individual if investigated because they were complaining about prices, or because they were wearing a blue shirt, or any other objection that is not a violation of civil rights. Sad but true.
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IrnGynt · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject:

First off, the bartender is a dick.

Second, "David" should have said something. Like, "WTF is your problem?"
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ReAnimator420 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:25 pm Post subject:

Maybe it's my unfamiliarity with the district or connotations, but i'm wondering if maybe his comment wasn't more "take your cheap 'i only have $5' asses to the student/cheap beer bars in this area"
You are in a presumably busy bar during a huge sporting event, taking up a seat and telling the proprietor that you are only going to spend $5 while you take up the seat for the whole game. Not to mention that stuff in NY is expensive and the burbs are not, you pay a premium for being there.

Obv not being there and seeing exactly how he said it and treated you i'm hardly a fair judge but from reading your account that was the first thing that i thought of. I'd be pissed if 3 college guys want to sit in my bar for an entire baseball game and only spend $5 each and probably not tip if the beer is close to $5 either.
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