Racism at Calgary Bars?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Most people who aren't minorities don't know that it's going on, but it goes on all the time. Even my white GF didn't know about it until she started dating me.
The reality is that there is a large population of Calgarians who don't care about what goes on in these places anyway, and then there's a popluation of Calgarians that don't care as long as it stays a minorty problem.

[Phaneuf3]

while i'm sure there have been cases of the bouncers actually being racist and not letting people in... if you look like you're going to cause ****, they're not goign to let you in no matter what your skin color is and they'll still give you the same bull**** excuses of it being 25+ night, etc. its not always simply a matter of them being black, brown, yellow or purple.

i have not been allowed into bars before. many of my white friends have not been allowed into bars simply cause many of them don't exactly look like friendly people - we can't play the race card and bitch about it though. suck it up and go somewhere that the staff are not ######bags.

[Ranchlander]

Hehe, that thread was awesome.

[soulchoice]

Here are my views with respect to the racism in the club atmosphere in Calgary. I have been fortunate to be raised in a multi racial family and have lived in many different cities around Canada and the US. Unfortunately Calgary is probably the worst city when it comes to clubs and racial profiling.

As culturally diverse as this city claims to be, there is a big difference between Calgary and other major cities(T.O., Van etc). Cultures in other cities are embraced and celabrated amongst the majority of people. In our city it is merely tolerated. Like I said, not all of the citizens here, but a large majority share this view.

As much as we claim to be a progressive vibrant city. There is a long way to go for Calgary if things are to change. There is a reason why we have a redneck image and having that type of thought is truly embarrassing for me as a Calgarian.

The clubs can talk all they want about safety, etc, and if that was truly the reason, then I can see their viewpoint. However, being a mixed minority myself, I have seen numerous times where there have been individuals who do not fit the profile of a gang member, etc, refused at the door.

If anyone does truly believe that the sole reason for these refusals are strictly motivated by concern for their patrons, then they truly living in the dark ages. Racial profiling exists in this city and moreso than anywhere else.

I have seen trouble started by all races and types, not just the colored ones. The two men whom were attempting to get into the clubbs did meet the criteria for dress codes, but yet were given many different excuses. This is unacceptable for this day and age, yet for some reason lingers and continues in this city.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

while i'm sure there have been cases of the bouncers actually being racist and not letting people in... if you look like you're going to cause ****, they're not goign to let you in no matter what your skin color is and they'll still give you the same bull**** excuses of it being 25+ night, etc. its not always simply a matter of them being black, brown, yellow or purple.

i have not been allowed into bars before. many of my white friends have not been allowed into bars simply cause many of them don't exactly look like friendly people - we can't play the race card and bitch about it though. suck it up and go somewhere that the staff are not ######bags.

The two men that were attempting to get into the club or any of the individuals that were used as test subjects, in what way did they look like they would cause trouble? None whatsoever, they were dressed like any other person that would have been in the club at the time as well.

Its also not that easy to just go anywhere, younger people like these guys like to go where its busy. Unfortunately most of the busy places were the ones that were used in the testing. A majority of the major establishments, clubwise are known for this, so they are left with little choice. This kind of crap should not be happening in the first place.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

As culturally diverse as this city claims to be, there is a big difference between Calgary and other major cities(T.O., Van etc). Cultures in other cities are embraced and celabrated amongst the majority of people. In our city it is merely tolerated. Like I said, not all of the citizens here, but a large majority share this view.

right. forgot how great T.O. was for embracing and celebrating their minorities by trashing mosques. lets follow their shining example, i'm too ashamed of living in a backwards redneck town any longer.

edit: OMG post #333 (666/2)

[Calgary Flames]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Oh man Jordan, I think this time you might have bit off more then you can chew.

For telling it like it is? Hasn't stopped me before. Just like white guys are the biggest **** disturbers on Hockey message boards.



Anyways, I never said what they are doing is the right thing to do... But I understand where they're coming from. As Caramon said, I think there's a big difference from not allowing a big gang of people as opposed to just a couple of guys, which is what they've been doing.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

while i'm sure there have been cases of the bouncers actually being racist and not letting people in... if you look like you're going to cause ****, they're not goign to let you in no matter what your skin color is and they'll still give you the same bull**** excuses of it being 25+ night, etc. its not always simply a matter of them being black, brown, yellow or purple.

i have not been allowed into bars before. many of my white friends have not been allowed into bars simply cause many of them don't exactly look like friendly people - we can't play the race card and bitch about it though. suck it up and go somewhere that the staff are not ######bags.

pure bull...i'd love to see a similar undercover news story whereby you and your white friends are turned away the way those 2 black guys were. Nice try buddy.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

right. forgot how great T.O. was for embracing and celebrating their minorities by trashing mosques. lets follow their shining example, i'm too ashamed of living in a backwards redneck town any longer.

edit: OMG post #333 (666/2)

Toronto has always been known as a city with diverse culture and thrives on it. However, the trashing of the mosques is not something any city should be proud of, keep in mind, how many times have you heard of such an act in any city?

Racial profiling has been prevalent in the city for as long as anyone can remember and continues to go on. If you dont think it exists, then continue to live in your little dream world.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

The two men that were attempting to get into the club or any of the individuals that were used as test subjects, in what way did they look like they would cause trouble? None whatsoever, they were dressed like any other person that would have been in the club at the time as well.

Its also not that easy to just go anywhere, younger people like these guys like to go where its busy. Unfortunately most of the busy places were the ones that were used in the testing. A majority of the major establishments, clubwise are known for this, so they are left with little choice. This kind of crap should not be happening in the first place.

oh ffs. my point was not EVERYTHING bad that happens to a person with skin darker than mine happened because of race.

example: lived in university dorms. one guy on my floor was a total ******* the entire year (just so happened to be black). later in the year, he demands to borrow my stereo (i had leant it to a friend earlier in the year that just so happened to be white). i say no cause the guy is a jerk. he flips out and starts calling me racist. brings a complaint to the building head. i have to explain myself repeatedly to avoid eviction on grounds of me being racist.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

oh ffs. my point was not EVERYTHING bad that happens to a person with skin darker than mine happened because of race.

example: lived in university dorms. one guy on my floor was a total ******* the entire year (just so happened to be black). later in the year, he demands to borrow my stereo (i had leant it to a friend earlier in the year that just so happened to be white). i say no cause the guy is a jerk. he flips out and starts calling me racist. brings a complaint to the building head. i have to explain myself repeatedly to avoid eviction on grounds of me being racist.

who the hell said anything about bad things happening all because of race? The point of the thread and the global tv test was to show how racial profiling is rampant in the city. In these cases, it was a pure case of being a particular race.

Your stereo scenario, fine, its evident it wasnt a racial motivation. But, when it comes to entry at clubs, it most certainly for the most part is that reason.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

my point was not EVERYTHING bad that happens to a person with skin darker than mine happened because of race.

but surely in this case, it is because of race. Its as clear as day that these bars are practicing racial profiling. I don't understand how anyone can deny that.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

who the hell said anything about bad things happening all because of race? The point of the thread and the global tv test was to show how racial profiling is rampant in the city. In these cases, it was a pure case of being a particular race.

Your stereo scenario, fine, its evident it wasnt a racial motivation. But, when it comes to entry at clubs, it most certainly for the most part it.

my stereo example was to show:
a) not everything is based on race
b) the race card gets thrown around WAY too much and WAY too lightly
c) people are willing to believe it nd get their panties in a bunch right off the bat else be labled politically incorrect and racist
d) calling someone racist has (some times very severe) concequences for the accused racist

there are a million and one reasons why the bouncer might not have let those guys into the club. i sometimes get refused entrance because of my haircut (i shave my head). i have friends that don't get in because they have long hair. i know people that couldn't get in places because the bouncer didn't like the music they were playing when they drove by. i had a british friend who had trouble getting in places because some peole didn't like his accent. SO WHAT? this is not news. nobody cares. show this happens to a black guy sometimes and its "tonight's top story"

[snappyk]

I'm sorry Mr. Rougeunderoos if I offended you, I asked a simple question. The whole racial profiling is crap but who is telling the bouncers to do it in the first place? Is it the managers or the actual owners of the bars? Why didn't Paul Vickers say anything on this one this time?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by snappyk

I'm sorry Mr. Rougeunderoos if I offended you, I asked a simple question.

You didn't offend me. Sure you asked a simple question and I gave a simple answer.

It is against the law to refuse service to someone based the color of their skin. The bar owners know it and that's why they make up bogus excuses like "your shirt is too baggy" or "it's over-25 night" instead of putting up a sign that says "whites only".

[DuffMan]

I actually have a bit of first hand experience with this even though it was over 15 years ago. Back in the days when Electric avenue was a happening place, a black friend of mine and myself(who is a white guy) were in a bar there. It was pretty much the end of the night thing and we were at a table with 2 white girls we had met. To make a long story short the bouncers did not like us for some reason and basically harassed us into an altercation with them.
The cops that arrived actually charged the bouncers though, mostly on the word of the girls, but when we went ot court they did not show and it was thrown out.
Anyway, neither of us was causing a scene or acting like ()*()'s at all, and I think if he were white, it would not have happened.
Having said all of that, he and I went out to quite a few places without problems.

[HelloHockeyFans]

It's tragic to see that after 10 years, Calgary has still gone no where when it comes to this.

I was raised in Calgary and left in '97 to Vancouver (I know, shut up), and was turned away countless times for no other reason, without a doubt, than I was Asian, was with other Asians, and that I was apparently going to shoot/stab somebody in the club.

You'd think that more than 10 years after the fact, that things would have changed.

[CalgaryDesi]

Yup, Calgary has a LOT of growing up to do. I've been rejected along with buddies on at least 25 occasions.

The excuses:

"I need 5 pieces of ID"

" 25+ only tonight"

"Your shoes don't fit our dress code"

"You're dressed too formal"

"Sorry guys, it's full tonight"

Multicultural city my @ss. More like segregation. Great business decision to paint a brush on all brown or Asian coloured citizens of Calgary.

Conversely, in Edmonton, where I've lived for 2 years now, I've only encountered it only once (Iron Horse). I live close to Whyte Ave, and have never had an instance of being rejected at any of the clubs/pubs/bars.

Not saying it doesn't happen in other cities such as Vancouver or Edmonton, but the problem in Calgary is much bigger....I know lots of victims of this injustice who are ****ed by alot of these clubs/pubs/bars in Calgary.

[CalgaryDesi]

Originally Posted by snappyk

I'm sorry Mr. Rougeunderoos if I offended you, I asked a simple question. The whole racial profiling is crap but who is telling the bouncers to do it in the first place? Is it the managers or the actual owners of the bars? Why didn't Paul Vickers say anything on this one this time?

Yeah, it's the managers/owners of the bars telling them to racial profile.

That doesn't mean they don't deserve some blame for following the instructions

[CalgaryDesi]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Toronto has always been known as a city with diverse culture and thrives on it. However, the trashing of the mosques is not something any city should be proud of, keep in mind, how many times have you heard of such an act in any city?

Ask that to the city's muslims (and east indian's) in this city for about a month following 9/11.