Harvard Graduate Student Thrown Out of Bar in North Carolina Allegedly for Being Black
KultureKritic.com Staff
There is a story about Jonathan Wall, who was kicked out of the Downtown Sports Bar and Grill, allegedly for being black.
Wall is a 21-year old Harvard graduate who was attending a bar for only the second time in his life. A news conference at the State Capitol in North Carolina was held, with representatives from the NAACP in attendance. Wall says that he went to the bar with friends and was told by a staffer that he had to buy a drink or leave. He was not the only person in the club without a drink, but was the only African American male without a drink.
When Wall said that he was simply waiting for a friend and chose not to leave, he says the staffer got physical with him. Wall says that when he reported the incident to a police officer, there was no report filed. The officer says that it was Wall’s word against the staffer, and that they could both be charged. After Wall wrote an email about the incident, it went viral because others have had that same experience.
An attorney for the club says that the incident had nothing to do with race: “Mr. Wall was not roughed up or improperly treated. Mr. Wall was not the subject of racial discrimination… Mr. Wall was ultimately asked to leave because he was not a member or a guest. Mr. Wall apparently took advantage of a crowded door situation and a distraction to enter the premises after being told by staff that he could not enter…”
You can hear the story from Wall’s attorney in this video below:
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not a lot of details here like when and where.
Look at the tape again with your hearing aid. OKAY?
I agree Elizabeth, lol.
Why do black folks always feel they need to accepted by white folks? I would of left and never ever gone back there. Its a recession so the white folks know other white folks spend money. They know black folks are more cautious with there money LOL! I would of left quick fast and in a hurry! Its too many black businesses they he could of supported. Start supporting black owned businesses *(Just because u attended Harvard)* doesn’t mean ur not Afto-American anymore! This lawsuit gets dismissed, and NAACP should find better things to do with their time.
I agree…
I agree… Don’t need em… got enough places to go to without having to deal with this kind of foolishness. What’s with the south man?… What makes it worse is this area considers itself the cradle of morality!! Hate and discrimination are immoral!! As immoral as anything else in this world!! These backward country fools ain’t worth my concern at all!!
A lot of us educated youngsters want something better in life. Black businesses do not constitute that what so ever. I refuse to support them because black businesses are mostly in messed up and torn down neighborhoods, with crack heads on every corner, prostitutes, and drug dealers rolling high and loiterers who panhandle. I grew up around this and I am from Detroit, Michigan and I said when I grow up, I was not going to live around all of that foolery. My older fraternal twin sister feels the same way. So I guess because this young man and myself are educated Ivy League, or educated period and prefer to live and shop in exclusive areas, we don’t act black enough for you??? That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. Skin color does not mean anything, and just because we chose to be diverse, does not mean that we are not black or do not act black enough. We just chose to live a good life and try to make the lives of others better. Not because we are trying to detatch ourselves from our race.
I am ashamed of some of the comments on this thread. Obama would not have even ran for president if he thought like they do. We as Black people should not support any business that presents itself as being a black business. That in itself is a poor business practice and it exhibits a lack of understanding of what being in business is all about. I heard a black business man named Greg Baranco say on the radio to someone who had identified his business as black business ‘to please come and show him what it was that made him think it was a black business so he could change it.’ We as black people should constantly be testing the waters to see if the general public is ready to support a business owned and operated by a black business person. As Obama did in determining when a black man could be elected president. ( Admit it. Most of us didn’t think it was possible for a black man to become president when Obama decided to run) My neighbor has a little side business he runs. What he does is sell barbecue at various black functions. I ask him why does he not sell barbecue at Atlanta Raceway. He never gives me a good answer. Being in business is about getting money. To get money yu cannot limit yourself to a small portion of the populace. You must seek to present yourself as a business capable of selling a food or service to anybody that;s hungry for what you selling.
Rosa parks did not refuse to get uo so we could just go some place else. Freedom is not free. You have to keep making sure you get it in a daily basis. And if anybody attempts to take some of your freedom you must fight.
Well spoken but a bit too punitive. Have you EVER heard of niche or target marketing? Many white owned, managed, and operated small businesses started out targeting the Black market. Quite a few Blacks got some “good” jobs as a result. No problem. The basic rules are: Have a product, good, or service; identify your niche or target market; develop a really solid business plan; raise sufficient capital; and go for it. The four “P’s (Product, Place, Price, Promotion) are taught in BBA and MBA schools. Each should be the corner stones and included in your business plan, and each should not begin or end with unnecessary color consciousness or color blindness — so don’t overlook anybody as being a potential prospect, client, customer, or user.
There are plenty of upscale black owned establishments. Perhaps you should travel more before making such ignorant comments.
Black doesn’t equate crackheads and prostitution. Since when are all black businesses in depressed areas? You sound like a confused individual. I have news for you, all “educated” young blacks don’t agree with you. Question, why would you want to spend your money with people who don’t respect you and yours just so you can be “diverse”?
Great point. I have the same queation for black conservatives. Why would you want to be a part of a political party that does not allow you to attend ALL of its meetings?
The issue is you have made “good life” synonymous with anything other than black life. Black people as a race will never be respected until we respect and value ourselves. When we have overcome the mental shackles of thinking other people’s ice is colder than our ice, we may then see some progress, .
Good to hear you are educated, from your comment, I can tell you are young. You have alot more learning to do and no school in America will teach you. There are lots of black people who choose to live a good life and do not need to feel accepted by whites to do so.
Amen! When a Black man values himself and does not need to seek validation from Whites or anybody else but God, then he is worth his weight in gold! He has wisdom. He looks at himself and others the way God does – not at the outward appearance but at the heart!
Well said. I wish through your eyes as well as Jonathan’ rascists would feel the same. But they don’t, and until they do the best of the best like yourself as well as this young man will be engaged in hostile situations the likes of the 40′, 50′, and 60′s. I don’t want to go backwards. So we either make a difference via diagolue with racists that see the error of their ways, or devise a plan to make it right!
While I understand the thought process of wanting to do better and live better, it is truly a tragedy the mindset that you maintain. Clearly from your statement, it illustrates education does not make one wise.
Taking apart your response, your assumptions that all Black businesses are in torn down neighborhoods or are of inferior service shows just how biased and stereotypical your belief in the very same mindset that the majority of white people have in this country.
It is not by dissociating yourself with negative elements of society that causes many to think of you as “not Black enough”, but rather your position that mirrors that of many that consider being Black to being inferior. Those “exclusive areas” that you choose to shop and/or live in are meant to exclude and as with many, it is an attempt to exclude most minorities and almost always Black people. For you to not realize this truth especially in this day and time truly speaks volumes of your indoctrination that the “Ivy League” education system has provided you.
Are you kidding me. You don’t know what the heck you are talking about. I own a black business and 95% of my clientele are of other races. You wouldn’t know it was a black business. AND I know plenty of other blacks that have businesses of the same caliber or better. Just because some black businesses are in neighborhoods that are predominantly black and are poor doesn’t mean that all black businesses are. AND even if they are doesn’t mean that they aren’t as good as non-black businesses (the majority of them are) that are right next door in those same neighborhoods, with the same set of bad circumstances.
If you are black you must loathe yourself. If you are not then please close your mouth to what you don’t know about. Either way educate yourself, pick up a copy of the most recent Black Enterprise, it has the listings of the top 100 Black Owned Businesses. You will surprise yourself and maybe if you are black learn to love your people.
Absolutely Butch! Just because the law says we can doesn’t mean we should. Why do “educated” Black ppl think b/c of civil rights laws it means racist hearts & minds have changed. The whole lunch counter, sit in mentality, marching & fighting to be in THEIR culture, while abandoning ours, was & is a bad idea. It thwarted Black ppl from developing a strong, successful communities of our own, based on OUR cultlure(which many of us need to learn, appreciate & embrace), to often beLIEving it’s better on the White side. The so called civil Rights movement has left us still in 2012, fighting for rights, to fit in, to be respected. When will we as a people (globally as well as in U.S.) realize we have no viable Black community? For the, most part we don’t own our housing, businesses, banks. Instead of reacting when White folk deny access, why don’t we get that it way pass time to create and patronize our own beautiful, clean, well managed, successful communities in the vein of Tulsa, Rosewood, the Garvey Movement etc. Are we afraid to try b/c of how our successes were trampled in the past? We go forward now with history as our teacher, knowing “the man” will try to thwart our progress. But we must now, daring any racist destructive energy to “step”. I dare Black ppl to wake up, go forth and build again, take our dignity and create & support our own just like every other ethnic group. We did it b4 we can again!
That was beautifully written and so true. Things were not always this way, when I was a child we had Afro-Clean Blocks, it was a celebration of clean neighborhoods and the pride we took in keeping them that way.We were robbed of our pride and heritage as a people, in the neighborhood I currently reside in there is one black-owned corner store, I love it, the employees are very polite and you feel comfortable shopping there and there are no loiterers standing around. There are Asian-owned businesses that I no longer patronize because they feel that can disrespect us, yet still need our dollars to survive. Korean Grocers have an organization, so this was planned for the destruction of our communities. These stores even sell products that are used along with drug paraphernalia just to make a profit. It almost seems like no one wants to fight for a better life anymore for our people.
Fayiza, that’s real talk!
We did it before, and we have little alternative BUT to do it again!
“Our people perish for lack of knowledge” about what it takes to be what is deemed to be successful in America. But White folk already know: the dollar and the vote!
WOW! I am impressed that somebody addressed that the Freedom Movement was about an integrated cup of coffee not autonomy and ownership… Malcolm X believed. We got the warm fuzzies after Emancipation as if we had skill to compete with the Immigrants. THen we go the warm fuzzise with Brown v Topeka, but it broke up our Black bnase then and for future generations. The big fuzzie came when we got to get into colleges and Woolworth without any thought that we would not become owners or employes there ever and that would hurt our economic base. You cannot catch up to business you have to redefine what people thinkof as business. We were meant to be behind so what think of something els because we will be having this conversation in the year 2525!… if man/woman is still alive…
Spend your money where it is appreciated. Who was he with, did he go there alone?
Eventhough Black people should be able to patronize any establishment that they want, I totally agree with you Butch! Why would a person want to be in a place where they are OBVIOUSLY not welcomed?! Come on my people. This America, home of the persecuted black man!
There are enough quality businesses that are owned by Afrikans in the US so it does not warrant us spending with those who do not want our patronage. In the past we did business with each other and this made for success in the communities. We have to revert as this is the only way we will survive economically.
Hey, they want “their” country back! And they’ll have it, if Blacks and fair-minded Whites give it to them in November.
With Romney promoting small government and less regulation, who’s going to police racial discrimination, employment discrimination, and s*x and age discrimination? Who’s going to monitor what in our water and when ecoli is in our foods? Regulations are there because somebody needs to be regulated to protect the public. Race discrimination laws are there to protect Black folk from being singled out for treatment that says that they are second-class citizens.
Has anybody ever asked Mitt Romney just what regulations he wants to eliminate . . . which government agencies he’d like to get rid of besides the Department of Education?
If Mitt Romney is elected, the country will be propelled by corporate greed which has disdain for unions which work for decent wages, education for the masses and less of an unskilled labor pool, and folk who dare think that governmenrt must be of, for, and by the people – not big businesses that wants cheap labor.
America has been great because money did not have complete control over government. If we want money to run America and to run over its citizens, then vote for the man who is running to protect the 1%: Mitt Romney. If you want government for the protection of all the people of this nation, vote Obama-Biden!
They want their country back? White stole this land from the “Natives”…It is time for ALL to pick up a history book!
I do thank you for voting Obama-Biden.
Is life so good for blacks in South Carolina, that black folks can spend time and resources to protest a man being asked to leave a sports bar. What does the black members of the City Council think about this?
Eugene Weeks is the only Black on the Raleigh City Council, I assume the good black people in Raleigh were responsible for him being in that office. If enough black people think this is important enough they might start with Councilman Weeks. Remind him that we brought you into this job and we can take you out.
The incident happened in NC. NC with new GOV Nicki Healey is now a GOP stronghold and of course racism has been on going since before the civil war…read a history book.
Nickii Healy is the Governor South Carolina, not North Carolna
Thanks for reading my comment and correcting my error. I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the opinion I expressed.
Never forget code words, take back our country. Its means get the Black man out of the White House and get these Blacks back in there place. I live in Olivette MO that is just west of St. Louis City. I can go to any White Bar, but me and my friends prefer to spend our money with Black owners. Money is tight, lets keep it in the Black community.
Something about the comment from the bar lawyer don’t past the smell test. When all of a sudden you must be a member of guest to attend a sport bar. Was there a private party of something going on and he wasn’t on the quest list? He stated that he was at the bar with friends and it possible that you can go to a bar and not drink a beer if you are with friends he could have been their driver for the day so they could have fun with out getting into an accident.
WE AS BLACKS/ SHOULD NOT BE WHINING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET DRUNK!! GET A LIFE,THESE SITUATIONS ARE USELESS,BLACK OR WHITE ,YOU DON’T WANT ANYONE SITTING IN YOUR BUSINESS NOT SPENDING MONEY !!!.
Yeah but, is there a time limit on when the spending should begin or end? If the patron says he/she is waiting for a friend b4 ordering, are they not allowed to do so?! Why go to a bar if u r not going to order? So Wall’s not spending clearly was not the issue. And spending or not, what gives any business owner or worker to put their hands on a customer even if they were being troublesome, that’s what police r supposed to be for(even if they r useless in defending Black victims). But my main point is “Blacks” have as much right as any race or group to “get drunk” when & where ever they wish(being facetious of course). Point being we simply need stop patronizing any racist venue over creating and maintaining our own!
I think i shall be allowed to go anywhere i so choose,It has nothing to do with whose there and who isn’ tMy brother got bit by police dogs and sprayed with water hose in their own neighborhood .So you see it has nothing to do with your location.
Why don’t you tell the white guy who has a store in our neighborhood to move it to their own .No you are not going to do that becauseb the same police protecting them in their hood is protecting them in yours too
The Bar’s response to the allegations is standard legalese BULLSHIT! It happened just the way Mr Wall claimed.
ok. i have lived in this city for the past five years. Raleigh,Nc is very racist. There is only one(1) black club in the whole downtown district.. a motor cycle club.And the food and drinks at that one club are so high it’s ridiculous. I attend North Carolina State University in Raleigh North Carolina. What about it’s racist too.At the University they have this thing called the free expression tunnel that’s been at the University for the past 40 years.Last year somebody wrote racist comments about President Obama on that wall.We Minority students called the media about the comments but nothing positive was done about the racist comments.The story was pushed to the side by the Dean like we minorities had no right at the college in the first place,stating that students had the right to freedom of speech.Keep in mind that this is a mostly white university. Nothing was done about the racist remarks. Actually, they tried to cover every thing when the students complained by not sending us emails to let us know that this had taken place. We had to find out about it by watching the local news. So, it is a a racist state.We have NAACP representatives here but for some strange reason we still suffer from disrespect and racism. No leaders marches for us except for us minority students.The reason i attend the University is to prove that no racist group can deter me from the best college education that is offer. At this University they offer the best jobs in the state after graduation.Call me a a*s kisser but i will bring back what i have learned to my people and community.
@ paula: you stated “one(1) black club in the whole downtown district.. a motor cycle club.And the food and drinks at that one club are so high it’s ridiculous.”
I would challenge you to count the number of times you pay ridiculously high prices to patronized white establishments, purchase clothes manufactured and sold in white establishments, shoes etc. I used to make these same comments (I was much younger) until I become critical of my own actions. I would not hesitate to go into a white shoe store and spend 200-300 on a pair of shoes but would have a hissy- fit spending that type of money in black own business. Our mental sickness is again we don’t value ourselves. Once we value ourselves, you feel proud patronizing your black own business despite the cost.
Ivy league educated or not Black people shouldn’t want to step foot and financially support businesses or institutions that discriminate against Blacks period. Furthermore you go in these places the music is wack, the drinks are over priced and watered down, the patrons are lame & the people who work there are rude & disrespectful to you. Upscale or not why on Earth would anybody want to go to a place who treats there customers that way? Because it is exclusive to whites? There are plenty Black owned upscale places in Raleigh and in most cities for that matter. Also there are a number of mixed clubs and bars he could of gone and not went through this if he is in to diversity. I say compete with the bar and put him out of business instead of trying to force him to accept Blacks. He’ll change his policy when it starts affecting his revenue. They did at the N-Club in Greensboro who used to have the same policy. Also I’ll never support the Epicenter in Charlotte because they have the same policy until the CIAA tournament comes into town. Anyhow I say put them out of business!
I hope the owner of the bar gets the pants sued off of him, so as to set an example that this needs to be confronted and dealt with in the court.
I’ve noticed how white people have been very vocal about their disdain for a biracial POTUS, hence using anygiven moment to blast blacks by using ‘code words’ and blatant racist tactics to show how they really feel. Then when they’re confronted with it, they scream, ‘REVERSE RACISM!’
I wish him luck, but he’s behind enemy lines.
Butch, you shouldn’t generalize whites because there’s a dumb idiot who happens to be white and owns a bar. Isn’t that racist, too? We should all stand against racism, not add to it.
The guy who stood up to him is a brave young man. I laud and commend him for standing up to the racist bar owner.
It’s not the first time he has been accused of racism, so his claim that he’s not racist doesn’t hold water.
Okay, for all of those who are really missing the mark here. This is not about any black person wanting to be in the company of white people. This is a matter of the young man’s civil rights having been violated today, in 2012. This should not be happening. And, in case you all have not yet heard, the person who mishandled the victim happened to be the General Manager of the Club; and, he is now being reported as having done this very thing to others, where he is currently working; as well as where he worked prior to this. Now, until we learn the law; and, more specifically, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we will continue to miss the mark concerning laws that affect us as Americans; and, as people of color in this nation. Some of us are not in the position to become self-employed, open our own clubs, restaurants, and corporations, etc. But, until that is the case, we all deserve to be fairly treated and served at any business, in America, that we visit for patronage or employment. Now, the general manager called himself trying to say to the victim that “the club is for members only”; and, if you know the law, you will go along with this. However, he failed to inform the white patrons, prior to allowing them in, that this is what he was doing. Because he engaged in preferential treatment; then created a hostile environment; and, physically assaulted the young man, both he and his employer should be held accountable for his racist and discriminatory behavior and actions. Had it, in fact, been a private club, he might have gotten away with it; especially because of the wording in the Civil Rights Act. However, he thought he was dealing with one of you–someone who would have gotten assaulted, discriminated against, and said: “oh well, let ‘them’ keep their effing club. I’ll go elsewhere”. in this day and age, we should not have to ‘go elsewhere, ‘pull the race card’; nor, ‘use the Civil Rights Act of 1964′. However, without it, our knowledge of it; and, victims like this young man, who are brave enough to bring this kind of behavior to the public’s eye, it will not only continue; but, will become much worse. It is not 1964; but, 2012. Our forefathers knew that we deserved better than they had; and, we know that our children deserve better for their futures. And, in order for it to happen; and, for our nation to not regress back to the state it was in before we got here, we better wake up and join this young brother; and, others who experience this type of foolishness in stopping it before it gets any worse. Even as we speak, the KKK is trying to legalize a street name for themselves; and, is advertising public rallies they intend to hold–while, we are still busy bickering about somebody trying to act white. When will we wake up as individuals and as a people??? We must educate ourselves so that we can make life better for ourselves, as individuals; as a people; and, for our children and theirs. All of our forefathers and leaders who died so that we could have better lives would roll over in their graves to see how lax we have become, after they suffered and struggled for a better life for us–only to see that we think we have arrived somewhere with the kibbles and bits we are accepting as being something. When we desire and go after more than the crumbs we have been receiving is when we will become more determined, such as this young brother; and, organizations such as the NAACP and others, who are willing to fight for our equality that we are deserving of. Our freedom is only as stable as we are individually willing to fight to maintain. If we are not fighting for it; should we lose it; and, our children and theirs end up regressing rather than progressing, it will be no one’s fault but our own; and, we can blame nobody but ourselves.
Butch,
Let’s be clear that African American, Harvard, well-to-do, and mainstream are not incompatible concepts. The black demographic is a broad one. We did not all grow up in poverty, fractured homes, limited financially and occupationally. If you embrace that, it is a shame. But a Harvard education is not a shield from discrimination. I agree with your implied point. But it is certainly not a description alien to us. From WEB Dubois to Obama, there has always been the Talented tenth. The problem is the other 9/10ths haven’t gotten the memo: Black people represent a spectrum of incomes, education levels, values, interests, experiences, and lifestyles. So, your point is neither true nor affirming. It is almost as bad as saying “one acts White.”‘
Check yourself. Ignorance is not bliss.
@ Nedrea
You sound like you’re already detached from your race. You sound like one of those educated fools that would be asking a kracker why as they are putting the damned rope around your neck. You so busy ripping your own apart that you cant see that whites don’t want you in their establishments and will let you know that. The whole time they’re telling you that you are probably cheesing so hard in their face that you just don’t get it. Please go have several seats and while you’re sitting, get a clue.
It would be awesome to read a single post on this forum in which proper English was used. All of you type the same way you speak, and it is ignorant.
What do you expect from ignorant people?
Your last statement should read, “All of you type the same way that you speak, which is ignorant.” You see, speak is a verb, and a verb cannot be an it, which is a pronoun. No one is perfect, and none of us should pretend to be. If you cannot bring a bit of wisdom to this topic, then maybe you should not participate in this online forum.
This article is pitiful. I’ve never heard it called “attended a bar” as if it was an institution of higher learning. But perhaps the dummass finally learned something (that Harvard obviously failed to teach him): the bar is there for the purpose of making money, and any guy would get kicked out if he didn’t order a drink (doesn’t have to be alcohol, a coke would do). Notice the careful avoidance of the real issue here. He was the only “african american MALE” that got kicked out for not buying stuff. There apparently were black women who were there and not buying stuff, and allowed to stay; this is because the bar knows that women at the bar means more men at the bar. Yes, it is gender discrimination, but that not what he is complaining about. There was no mention of any “white males” who were allowed to stay w/o spending money, no doubt because there were no white males who were freeloading.
The guy needs to file a law suit based on GENDER discrimination, because that is actually what happened. Bars and clubs routinely let women in with no cover charge, for example. But little black boy simply wants to get some practice playing the race card. The dummass doesn’t realize that he is ruining his future before it begins — there are service bureaus that track discrimination law suits (race, religion, gay/straight, gender, etc) and then sell their data base to major employers. Before they hire you, they check the data base, and if you have filed a suit, valid or not, they will label you as a trouble maker and then refuse to hire you. Doesn’t Harvard teach people anything these days? It would be different if he had a legit case. But this is nothing more than “poor pitiful black man playing the race card” . . . except when the jury hears the guy attends Harvard, the jury will see him as an elitist trouble maker, not as a poor pitiful black man that was truly abused because of his race.
On another matter, the bar is a PRIVATE business. Private businesses can choose to eject anyone from their premises, for any reason (or for no reason). But back to my thesis — the only color this business cares about is GREEN . . . if the man was spending money, the bar would have been happy to have him there.
Really me112233?!!! Again, as posted in reply to jjuilan” is there a time limit on when a patron should order a drink at a bar? Did u listen to Wall’s recap?He said he was waiting for a friend b4 ordering.
He went to a bar which by all reason implies he intended to purchase at least 1 drink. I don’t get Y some posters here r talking(well typing)like Wall didn’t give account of what he experienced. Y defend a business owner who clearly was in the wrong. You simply cannot manhandle a patron who doesn’t purchase in a timely enough fashion to suit you. Race card or not the proprietor would’ve been wrong he no matter what race Wall could potentially hve been.
Yes,’ me112233′ needs to read the actual story before lambasting this poor fellow. He was not loitering- he was waiting for his friends to come from the bathroom before they were to be seated. I say do like the mexicans- they run in large groups and amongst themselves. I do believe that some blacks are not ‘self-aware’ enough and are a little naive in being as hopeful as Obama. Some whites are ok to hang out with; others are just as sneaky as if they were donning white sheets.
These are sad, unfortunate experiences that continually leave blacks with the burden of the past, and not because of the content of our character, but the color of our skin. This young man is left with the burden of defending his civil right to enter a bar and have a drink.
This young man should be able to go where he wants to go and not just have to go to his kind, this is 2012. I’ve been to the black businesses and most are hole in the walls, crowded and they don’t upgrade. They sell bootleg liquor and don’t stay open long and get behind in taxes. The bartender’s steal liquor by overpouring for tips at the owners expense.
Nedra,You sound real educated.Not!You do know that everything is not relative to your being a social misftit and your hood experience, right?Another over compensating,mis-educated social toad from the slums that has convinced herself that white ice is colder than black ice.You have the right to go where you please,and we have the right to not come to your rescue when those good white folk turn on your dumb a*s.
WOW I hear a lot of African American say since Obama been in office things start getting harder for black people from job to anywhere does anyone feel they been blackball in America…..
BLACXKCOBRA//PRINCE OF THA UNITEX STATES
People talk about the south but I dont see any differance between the north, east or west..
sometimes blacks who wanna be white get treated differently in these situations dont come to our aid and assistance until they see that all whites aren’t going to treat them as white then they want us to defend them as black people we got real issues out here that needs addressed Mr Wall life goes on move around get real your educated enough to look past the small BS.
The brother just should of bought a coke or water and went on bout his business. I’m black….and even I feel that our court system is tied up enough with stupid lawsuits.
I’m sure this group could have found a more significant cause to champion, one that would impact more Blacks right there in Rawliegh, North Carolina. They have a lawyer, a public relations person, the local NAACP, some prepared scripts to read from and a press conference. I have I say, they are well organized. I just think, they could a more impactful cause.
It is 2012 and we still are encountering racism. I am troubled by the person who said that most black buisnesses are in poor neighborhoods. I am not sure what state you live in. If you walk in a white establishment and they refuse to serve you-LEAVE. Your money is as green as the next person. Go to an establishment where you will be treated with respect. If anyone think that because you are an Ivy League student you will be given preferential treatment-think again. Look at how they continue to disrespect our President.
Did this Negro think that he was supposed to be insulated from the treachery of white racism because he was a Harvard Graduate student?
Those folks in the dominant culture don’t care about Negroes from any walks of life so just learn how to roll of their your d**n sleeves and fight and use excellence to defeat this modern day type of James Crowism that is so pervasive in this society.
All you death , dumb and blind Negroes need to go back and read the auto of Malcolm X. Read it to your kids and critique then if you have the intellectual capability and capacity of doing so.
Racism doesn’t go away by Osmosis.
Wow. Some of you based your opinion of Johnathan’s story on misinformation. Johnathan is a graduate of Morehouse College, an HBCU, and will be attending Harvard for GRAD SCHOOL. He doesn’t feel the need to be accepted by white people or “be white” (see: HBCU grad), just respected enough to receive the same treatment as everyone else who patrons the bar. First, get th facts straight and THEN develop and share an informed perspective. As was stated above, ignorance is NOT bliss.
Actually enlightened: First of all let me start off Negro by saying why don’t you identify who or what you are rather than that Actually enlightened non-sense? What are you afraid of Negro? Tell us who you are? Whose skirt are you hiding behind?
The fact remains (Negro) that Jonathan has already been accepted as a Harvard Graduate student, which makes him a bona-fide Harvard Graduate student.
You didn’t grasp anything that Alfreda Kelley was saying which is evidence by your gross lack of comprehension and understanding of the acute nature of individual and institutional racism.
You really need to know how to argue! Jonathan is a graduate of Morehouse College, therefore Negro he is no longer a student at said institution since he has graduated from said school.
Negroes are always, always following us whites around. They don’t want to be around their own kind (who would?), they want to follow and leach off of whitey. Then when politely axed to leave because they are exhibiting TNB, they get all uppity and sheet and file a lawsuit.
Some of you have made GROSS assumptions based on misinformation in this article. You also apparently did not watch the video that was provided to further enlighten you to Mr. Wall’s story. Jonathan is a graduate of MOREHOUSE COLLEGE (an HBCU), and will be ATTENDING HARVARD IN THE FALL. I’m not sure why you think that where he was educated has some bearing on sense of disenfranchisement by this establishment. He does not feel the need to be accepted by white people or to “be white” (see: HBCU grad) He simply feels that, like EVERY OTHER PERSON, he should be respected and allowed the civil liberties due to human beings, no matter their race, gender, creed, religion, s****l orientation, etc. PLEASE BE INFORMED and note that your ignorance does not go unnoticed. Once again, ignorance is NOT bliss.
This is a shame but know matter how somethings have changed somethings remain the same. this is why we as a people need to ban together and have our own businesses(and this doesn’t mean we have to exclude others). We help build this country so I know we can have nice establishment like anyone else.
Honkies do this s**t all the time.
Oh, how we forget how many educated and uneducated Blacks / Whites died so that we can go into all places. I am very particular where I spend my monies. Please go and read Black history. They don’t teach it in schools. I don’t care how educated you are,you will always be a “N” to them. Wake up people.
Nedrea Scott you sound like an educated fool…I can not believe you said “you refuse to support black businesses”? Its blacks like you that help keep other blacks down. You don’t need a degree you are just going to waste it. My granddaddy said, “The biggest fool is an educated fool!”…and you just proved him right! Detroit itself is almost one big ghetto, and you compare the rest of the US to that?! There are plenty of prosperous and nice black owned business out here…get you ignorant head out the sand and explore…until then shut your d**n mouth! You are an embarrassment!
Please go back and read what brother Malcolm said about Negroes like Johnathan and Actually Enlightened.
There is no fool like an educated fool and this Actually Enlightened never learned how to use some semblance of critical thinking skills in his vastly inferior public educational system.
Tamara Yeldell your grand daddy was 100% right about these educated Negroes.
The tragedy of self-hate continues. Whether one chooses NOT to support Black-owned businesses or attend an HBCU, all because you think “the white man’s water is colder,” speaks to an even greater tragedy that that of how this young man was treated – perpetual genocide! Many of us are so busy tearing US down, that we rarely if ever find value in our own. Without question, there are still race issues, there is still racism, and there are still certainly whites and even non whites, who feel that they are “better” and somehow “above” African-Americans. This is why Trayvon Martin and Emmitt Till were killed! There is so much work left to do! According to a recent report of NPR, there are more African Americans ON HOUSE ARREST, IN PRISON, ON PAROLE, OR ON SOME FORM OF PROBATION, than there were in the entirety of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade! And with the break down of our neighborhoods (from the inside out), communities, and families, parents of children getting younger, illiteracy and academic proficiency lacking, We are facing a Social, Moral and Genocidal Pandemic. . .with countless casualties as a result!
Wake Up! People Wake Up!
I’ve taken the time to read about 60 tags, it caused me to laugh and cry, we are a most interesting people! I love being black! I sometimes spend in Black areas at black business’s.
I would not purchase a lottery ticket from a middle eastern or Korean own business. Somethings I just have to go to a majority business to make my purchase. But never if I’m disrespected by them.
I might suggest, you look over your shoulder you might find some brown skin people who do not even speak the language coming on strong, and our President is helping them and not US. Do the right thing for our own! make $$ while doing it. Being a Conservative and a Capitalist does not make you part of the GOP!
p. s. Don’t believe all that Al and Jessie, have to say, The’re
paid by the you know who… to keep you, us, right where we are.
People, people all these long comments. This young man should be able to go where he wants, but let’s face it, we will probably never have total access like that. But black people ( esp. Males) need to get it in their weak minds, that no matter how much
education, money, power, marrying one of their tramps, THE WHITE MAN WILL NEVER TRULY ACCEPT BLACK PEOPLE AS THEIR EQUAL!!! Get over it, and start helping your own people!!
This is in response to Nedrea Scott. There is nothing wrong with wanting better for yourself, families and communities, however there is a reason why many of the things you mention go on in black neighborhoods and at black businesses. You are educated at an Ivy League School so you should be telling us why our communities are in such decay and assisting them to get a better vision for their business. I myself spend as much money as I can with black businesses, if they treat me well (good customer service, and products). Many of the stores and high dollar establishments that you and others frequent could care less about you most of the time….they have learned that you will pay the prices at their establishments and they need your dollars to continue to make their lives better.Thanks for the comment mims I wholeheartledly agree with you. MAKE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY BETTER BY SUPPORTING, REFUSING TO STAND FOR BAD SERVICE AND ASSISTING BLACK BUSINESSES TO DO BETTER. SUPPORT BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION
Sorry, to read the Ivy League person feels this way about herself – because some not all, but some made it so you could be your Ivy League person you say you are. And, I’m only a ex-Air Force person that help make a way for you to be this Ivy League person also. I’m a Afro-American and I’ll never forget where I’ve come from, because it helps you find where you’re trying to go – or have gone. Have you been in the South, because ATL might not be for you. Oh Yea, black neighborhoods are not the only neighborboods in bad shape, they are just the only ones on the front page. We don’t need to read the negative thoughts said about us, all we have to do is read the negative thoughts said about us – from some of us! Support Us First!
Change the title of this article!!!!! To say that someone’s skin color somehow provoked racism exonerates the perpetrator! Its like saying in a Black Sambo voice “nobody likes me ‘cuz i is Black.” Constanly saying that it is becasue I am Black that something happened to me keeps Black people in a “victims” role and whites the role of Master and Lord. It’s a victims mentality to say that the skin color that I walk around in all day long makes people not like me, instead of putting the blame on the person with the problem with your skin color! Change the Paradigm of our language now, you Journalist can help!
Thank you, Danita! You’re right and it amazes me how many ways we try to articulate (mostly ignorantly) how to combat racism by being racist. Every time there’s a situation doesn’t mean ‘all’ white people this and ‘all’ black people that. Half of you have probably never even been out of the western hemisphere to experience all different types of people so your blind hatred is your bible. Fools hate knowledge!
most of the businesses in black neighborhoods are owned by
white people and foreigners. So its not like you’re not supporting
these people in your own neighborhood. Second of all if you
own a business anywhere, why would you label it a black business.
Patrons shouldn’t know any difference except that you have a
good business that is professional and serves it’s purpose well.