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| - I take no joy in reporting my 1st brush w/ an OVERT racist since arriving the QC from CA almost 1 year ago. Ironically, it happened @ a popular GAY spot, "Bar316"... most appallingly with the owner, JEFF.
I don't look for this behavior & I give people the benefit of the doubt as a routine practice, but when it is GLARING, no one benefits from ignoring it.
Last night I was @ 316 early. I made my way up the stairs to the main bar area. Insodoing, I collide into a patron on the landing. We both kindly apologize & he says, "Lawsuit waiting to happen!", referring to the dark stairwell.
On the 2nd level, I greet the owners who are behind the bar. The place is essentially empty. After our hellos, I recount the experience I just had. The other owner says "oh, let me go turn on the lights ". Jeff, meanwhile, gets on his "huffy-mobile", stating "I am the owner & I've been going up & down those stairs 30+ years & never had a problem!". Stunned by his sharp, CONDESCENDING tone, I say "Hey man, I'm just letting you know the stairwell is dark and could be a hazard". Instead of a polite thank you for letting him know, this jerk quotes me NC Law;, "After someone has 1 drink here , he/she cannot sue, even if they break their neck on the stairs".
The mood, tenor of the convo deteriorates from here. I let him know I was just attempting to be helpful and that, by the way, I have a Risk Management/ Facility Life Safety background so I tend to notice these things... make simple, courteous recommendations where I can, mainly as a courtesy. I also OWNED my own business for 20 years & business owners tend to look out for 1 another.
What ensued from here is, by far, the ugliest scene I have ever experienced or witnessed in a public setting (at least involving me). He tells me, derisively and dismissively, he doesn't want to hear it, invites me to leave, upgrades to insistence before I can even respond. Then he comes from around the bar waving his hands in a gesture of "get the fuck out!". I say sure... and proceed to the stairs w/ him on my heels. As we approach the nearest exit, I tell him that I am new to NC & the South and that I didn't think I would encounter my first RACIST in a gay bar. He replies w/ what I can only infer from the quick, easy way it rolled off his tongue "We are the biggest gay bar in Charlotte and 1/2 my patrons are black". As I walk through the door, he is still fluttering his hands in dismissal to which I say, "Just because you take their money and push them into the streets drunk every night doesn't mean you are not a racist". His final response (in his best Donald Trump impression mocking the disabled reporter on camera... facial expressions, arm gestures and all): "Duh duh duh duh!".
I am aware that him being a complete and utter asshole doesn't automatically make him RACIST... but let us examine the quickness with which he accessed the condescending tone, manner and dismissed me (ejected), badgering me all the way out the door. That is the premise. I feel it note that I am a middle aged, intelligent, educated retired professional -no agenda. I came there in peace and even approached the relatively benign situation as a constructive observation. For him to blow up without hesitation or thought, as the OWNER of the establishment, is not only indicative of the "Post-Election TRUMP world" we live, but of something darker, more sinister . i strongly suspect that, had I been a similarly (well-) dressed 48 year old white man with the same approach, demeanor, conversation, I GUARANTEE the response, chain of events would have been different. At least one drink would have been comp'd & hand shakes would have been exchanges.
Take away what you will from this story but I was there, I have not embellished and I have no reason to describe this exchange in any way other than what/how it was... There are AT LEAST 5 other gay establishments in Charlotte I frequent. Ironically, not only have I had great experiences these other places but, just since I have been here since March... on the scene since Oct, I've met quite a few of the owners (who are white except 1). In fact, I have the personal phone numbers of 3 and consider two true friends. The same applies to the straight bars, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, etc. I patronize.
As a conscientious consumer and a self-identified "advocate" for the common man (I am one), I just could NOT LET THIS EPISODE GO UNREPORTED... This man (H
Jeff) actually came out of his mouth with " this is a private club and I can let in whomever I please, no explanation required".
I PROMISE he need not EVER worry about admitting me BAR 316 -ever. If YOU go, do so knowing who you are supporting w/ your spending & patronage!
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