Racism in KC bad for business!
EDITOR’S COMMENTARY
RECENT ACTS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION HAS HURT KANSAS CITY’S IMAGE, by Wayne Hodges
KANSAS CITY, MO -Alright, I’ve seen enough. Let’s go ahead and call it what it is. The Power & Light District in Kansas City has dissolved into a commercial business cluster underscored by discriminatory dress policies and, in some instances, blatant acts of racism. It’s painful to say, but we certainly have enough evidence to suggest it’s true. I was sold the day P&L officials found it necessary to dismiss acclaimed music artist DJ Jazzy Jeff during a live concert performance this past summer.
If someone as accomplished as Jazzy Jeff can get the boot, hell, no African American is safe. “I thought this was over…not in 2009!” screamed the Reverend Sam Mann to a group of protesters across the street from Power & Light on November 14. “What’s going on across the street is wrong. It is not what this city is about.”
Um…Rev. Mann, that may be true. However, I have evidence that may suggest otherwise. For instance, across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, a party of 9 people were recently awarded $500,000 in restitution after a fraternity of white police officers inexplicably decided to enter into the home of a black family, without a search warrant, to dash an unsuspecting teenager’s birthday party. In addition to violating their personal rights, the lawsuit alleged that 5 officers struck both the adults and children with their fists. Then, as an encore, the officers spewed several nasty racial slurs before discharging pepper spray at the victims. “It’s highly unlikely (the police officers) would have acted that way if the guests had been white,” said prosecuting attorney Arthur Benson.
Oh, it gets worse. The birthday girl, TyEisha Jennings, reportedly asked for a cup of water as she laid face down on the dirt with an officer’s knee speared into her back. Instead of allowing TyEisha to stand up for a drink, the officer doused her with cold water before taking her to jail, both shoe-less and coat-less, during a chilly November night in 2005. Folks, whether we accept it or not; racism has reared its ugly head in Kansas City. And it would be foolish to ignore its impact on the community. Now, I propose the million dollar question: What do we, as citizens, do about it? During our inaugural “Mass Appeal News” radio broadcast on November 14, I raised the following question to my co-host Crystal “CB” Booker: “Should African-Americans continue to patronize the businesses at the Power & Light District?”
The question may appear a little outlandish on the surface. After all, the Power & Light District is funded with taxpayer dollars; many of which are from African American consumers. However, there’s no denying we have a disturbing trend in order here. The list of incidents involving acts of racial discrimination by P&L merchants has gotten long and deserves emergency attention. To add insult to injury, most of these businesses generate large profits by playing predominantly black music to a diverse party crowd. Wow! Talk about a slap in the face?
Here’s something else I don’t get. Retailers that sell baggy pants, gold chains, white t-shirts and work boots, thanks to African-Americans, are now part of a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet, society discourages the purchase of these items in what has become an emerging hip hop apparel market. In other words, the root of the problem is not the young people who patronize hip hop clothing chains. The core of the problem rests solely with the manufacture and distribution of these products.
Think about it. If it’s socially unacceptable to wear “hip hop” apparel, why allow corporate executives to get rich off the scheme? I’m talking about the glorification of a “prison culture” that’s fed to millions of kids worldwide through both television and music. The same argument can be make for drug trafficking. Thousands of keys of cocaine and other mind influence drugs are shipped into the United States daily. However, society finds vindication in the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of young black men; most of whom have absolutely no clue how the drugs got here in the first place. Catch my drift?
And please, I don’t want to hear “the government is doing all it can to keep drugs out the country” propaganda. Because that’s not entirely true. Not convinced? Allow me to elaborate. Law enforcement agencies nationwide employ thousands of crime scene investigators every day. Keep in mind: CSI agents are capable of finding the most minuscule source of DNA to crack open a case. Now, you mean to tell me a scientist can take a string of human hair and learn the identity and time of death of a victim, but government officials can’t keep railroad cars of crack cocaine from crossing the U.S. border? Come on. Give me a break?
As a nation, our social progress has been impeded and racism is the primary culprit. We’re quick to sing “God Bless America” at concerts and sporting events. But we’ve failed to understand God doesn’t bless mess. The hypocrisy of our democracy could ultimately prove to be our nation’s downfall; which would be a crying shame. In 1955, the good citizens of Montgomery, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (pictured above with wife Coretta), formed a bus boycott to combat blatant acts of racism in Alabama. A similar business movement may be needed in Kansas City. To view this article on the Examiner, click here.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also an adjunct professor, MPA at Kansas University, and legislative intern with the Kansas Senate. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
To see a video feature on racism and business, click the arrow.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Great article Wayne! I dont go to the Power & light district. i dont see any reason to give somebody my money that dont appreciate it. its obvious they business owners dont want blacks at their establishments so why even bother. we need more clubs and entertainment spots in urban communities to go to. then we wouldnt have to put up with this mess.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:44 am
hi wayne. as a citizen of kansas city ..i am “embarrased” to know the situation that is going on at the power and light…… it is racist..what they are “pulling”..down there..and i DONT LIKE ..
November 18th, 2009 at 5:54 am
Derek, I agree with you man. I’m equally embarrassed. I understand the challenges associated with keeping “thugs” out of nightlife establishments. Unruly misfits are primarily responsible for shutting down every African-American dance club in America. The problem with Power & Light is the merchants deny entry to certain groups of people wearing loose-fitting, hip-hop apparel, but allow others dressed in similar attire to enter. The video above describes this situation perfectly. Check it out. It will blow you away.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Wayne,
I meant to be in attendance at the march Saturday,and just didn’t make it,which is highly unusual for me.
I understand two things have taken place since Saturday.
First,there is to be a large number of people who will attend Thursday’s city council meeting to address this issue. I plan to attend.
Second,the Cordish Co. wants to put together an “Oversight” commitee to insure that the problems with the dress are straightened out.
My problem with this development is this:The one who pays the piper calls the tune.
If Cordish is already the ones under fire for this mess,I’m not convinced that they can be trusted to implement and run an oversight committee to police itself! It sounds more like they want to implement an “Overseer Committe”!
As it relates to the Sports garments companies and the hip-hop appearal companies,maybe we as a communitiy should threaten a ecconomic sanctions on them if they don’t speak out because after all, not only do they do a serious market share in the hood,they should be made to realize that we are aware that it’s their appearal that is being used to target us in many negative ways.
Again,I deffenitely intend to be at the City Council Meeting Thursday.Gotta Go! My program starts in 30 Minutes!
Barry Jackson
November 18th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
A boycott could be the answer to the dilemma we face in the Power and Light District, but is that not what the P. & L. district’s goal is, to reduce black attendance.
Remember when Blacks were not allowed in restaurants and hotels? The establishment would have been perfectly satisfied if we would have boycotted the restaurants and hotels and let them remain segregated. Instead, there were sit in through out the country, symbolizing that you may not want us but we are here to stay, so deal with it.
Continue to go to the P & L District, until change comes. I am glad that this issue will be addressed at the City Council meeting.
Perhaps boycotting the white corporate executives who are still getting rich selling the hip-hop apparel would be better solution, buy from black businesses. Blacks or creative, find another hip-hop style if necessary and keep it moving, because Blacks are trendsetters as well as agents of change.
In regards to the drug issue, wake up young people, prison labor is a form of slave labor. If you must get high then get high on life.
I. Sanders.