Lawsuits allege discrimination at black biker fest

CNN ^ | May 21, 2003 | CNN

[milan]

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) -- The NAACP claims in two lawsuits that Myrtle Beach authorities and a hotel discriminate against blacks during a biker rally held each Memorial Day weekend along the South Carolina coast.

The group said it also was filing a complaint with the state's Human Affairs Commission, alleging more than two dozen restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area closed last year to avoid serving blacks.

[Amelia]

I have lurked much longer than a month.

That's what they all say. ;-)

Milan near Eastman?

[OPS4]

The fact of a Black Biker group in and of itself,
speaks volumes.

They have segregated thier own membership, and I am sure
from reading this post, they hav an agenda in mind.

I wonder what could it be?

Ops4 God BLess America!

[milan]

Milan near Eastman?

No. Milan is near my arm...as in the name on my cheap Wal-Mart watch. Needed a handle, the watch was on my arm.

[Amelia]

ROFL!

[mrustow]

The stories you told of impossible black customers remind me of when I managed a restaurant on Martha's Vineyard in summer, 1986. The only black customer I had all summer was a middle-aged dentist who drove the sweetest waitress we had to tears -- she quit a day or two later -- and who sent back his steak, and whitemailed me (I had to take over his table) out of expensive, free appetizers, and of course, stiffed us on the tip. He must have had a surf and turf, because I recall that everyone had lobster, and he was implicitly daring me to confront him, so he could pull a "walkout."

He was with his wife and two kids, and it was clear from the wife's exasperation, that he pulled this stunt all the time. Since then, this has becone very common.

[farmfriend]

She thinks that the businesses in South Carolina are getting even with the NAACP and blacks for boycotting their state over the flag.

Interesting question. Like others here, I would be more inclined think the bikes had more to do with it than the skin color of the riders.

[mrustow]

P.S. The litigants are following the script the NAACP has established for dealing weith all white hospitality industry executives: demand all sorts of accomodations, and then sue, sue, sue! Businesses that stay open are all going to be sued. The idea is that all black guests should be paid to stay at white-owned accomodations, while whites have to pay twice -- once for themselves, and once for the black "guests."

See:

Guests from Hell: The NAACP'S Shakedown of the Hospitality Industry

[milan]

Yeah, but when my wife said that, it really made me say "wow, I hadn't even thought of that."

[Sonny M]

I know everyone is automatically think race, hell liberals and conservatives zero's in on race and fast, but I think there's more to it then that. There's also an event called Harley week down there, and alot of the establishments stay open. From what I know, the people at harley week, while predominantly white, are also, alot older, as in, old enough to be fathers to the guys during black bikers week. They also go down there with there wives and kids, and are not either going to, or even able to party out late at night.

Black biker week is a younger crowd, alot younger, without normal responsble adult supervision, this is more like sturgis but its happening at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. If instead of doing the biker rally at sturgis, that crowd came here, forget about it. Every place would probably close, and the national guard would be waiting by. This isn't so much about race, as it is about age (young and old), class (city single versus suburban family, and type of people (rowdy versus needs medication).

[SuziQ]

alleging more than two dozen restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area closed last year to avoid serving blacks.

If they closed rather than serve the 'bikers', I guarantee you it had nothing to do with what color they are, but with how they behaved! My B-i-l was telling me about the "Black Spring Break" that used to be held on the MS Gulf Coast. After several gangs of youts dragged unsuspecting women from their cars and proceeded to rip their clothes off, folks in the area had finally had enough. It would have been the same if these kids had been white. Folks don't like having their front yards used as toilets or for places for couples to be 'getting it on'! They just got sick of it!

If groups learn to behave themselves and respect other people's property, businesses will be glad to have them.

[The Other Harry]

This isn't so much about race, as it is about age (young and old), class (city single versus suburban family, and type of people (rowdy versus needs medication).

I think you make a series of valid points. Add one more: The older Harley crowd is also more likely to be affluent.

[Between the Lines]

The lawsuits accuse city officials and the hospitality industry of trying to discourage black bikers from visiting in part out of "a fear that the festival would create an image that Myrtle Beach is a 'black beach' in the eyes of white tourists."

If you have ever been to the Grand Strand you know exactly where it is white and where it is black and where both coexist.

[rocky88]

I moved away from SC a few years ago and for a few years I had to commute from Litchfield Beach to just over the NC border, all the way up Hwy 17. When black biker week occurs, it is all concentrated in the Atlantic Beach section of MB, making it impossible to get anywhere on time because Hwy 17 is the only North-South option on the coast in that area. (I have recently heard of a new bypass that's opened, though - so maybe this helps)

Anyway, I can totally agree with the restauranteurs in the "Restaurant Row" area - their employees would not be able to get to work. Plus, since having a friend that still has a restaurant in the area, the black bikers always leave a disgusting mess, skip out on their checks, stiff the waitstaff and generally wreak havoc. If I were a restaurant owner, I would simply say I've closed because of the inability to get my employees to work, and during the festival there are tent vendors along Hwy 17 that sell food anyway...

Also, after the event is over, the Atlantic Beach section of MB looks like a tornado has blown through it - trash, beer bottles, chicken bones, clothing, everything are scattered all over the streets. It's quite sad. You can also read about the wonderful indecency complaints, especially the sex in public and the girls on the back of the bikes flashing families in their cars.

If you live there, it's a good weekend to stay inside or at least stay south of Myrtle Beach.

[milan]

But that is racist! < / sarcasm>

I have heard what you are telling me from numerous people now. I never thought it was a racist thing, but did not know the history behind the event, etc. My brother-in-law is local PD here and they have fun once a year for "Players Ball". Blacks come from all over to the Georgia Southern University campus and...well, get into a bit of trouble. Have had rapes, drugs, weapons, noise, mess, etc. Of course, they are always offended by the amount of state patrol and out of city officers that show up for the event....but they are always needed.

[Sonny M]

I think you make a series of valid points. Add one more: The older Harley crowd is also more likely to be affluent.

In General, I can guarantee you that, Harley's are very very expensive, and I do not mean this as a shot at anyone, but alot of them are Subbers and Rubbers, (Suburban bikers aka the husband of the SVU mom, and Rich urban bikers). At that point it becomes a class thing, with the leather chaps and the rolex watch to go.

[Notasoccermom]

Maybe they just wanted vacation and to get out of town to avoid the crowds! Are vacations still legal?