Dress code aimed at African-Americans

W.F. Miller (11/18, Letters) claims black-on-black crime, drive-bys, and problems in the inner city trump dress-code discrimination in the Power & Light District.

However, the dress code is not about teenage thuggery, blighted areas, Hank Williams traditions or some banjo player from “Deliverance.” This is about characterizing African-Americans as enemy No. 1.

African-Americans didn’t kill 3 million Jews or 100 million Native Americans or wipe out an indigenous aboriginal culture.

Miller’s attack on community leaders is expected, but black codes have and will always produce great leaders. Diamond, Mo., produced a slave named George Washington Carver. Lawrence, Kan., produced Langston Hughes. Roy Wilkins joined the civil rights movement because of what he saw as an editor for The Call of Kansas City. If not for Wilkins, the world may not have heard Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.

Cordish Co. modified its dress code for last year’s Big 12 tournament. Then our money was good enough. There were no drive-bys, and people had a good time.

Courtney A. Phillips
Overland Park 

Comments

[Courtney A. Phillips]

1. You want to know if they speak for everyones rights and they have. When Jimmy the Greek made mindless racial comments, it was Jessie Jackson that came to his aid. Rev. Sharpton has boycotted with Cindy Sheehan and in Puerto Rico.

2. I don't know what they have to do with the Duke Lacrosse team. However, before that, good freinds of mine dealt with the same thing. My good friend Todd Day and others on the Basketball Team lost millions. In fact it happened to some of the football players. Plus some others students on the hill.

But if we're talking about women lying. How about Susan Smith, or Ashley Todd who claimed she was sexually assualted and physically assualted when someone scribed a backwards B on her face.

How about Emmit Till who was killed because a women lied. I can go on.

3. I have always considered certain people from different states community leaders. Brad and Angelina do lot of worldly good but I don't consider them community leaders.

4. Again like I told Moral City we are not some aborition of killing history, we did not kill 3million Jews, 100 million Native Americans or wipe out an indigenous culture. I already told you that was a respones to WF Millers letter.

5. Now tell me how Rev. Sharpton, and Jackson shun equality to all citizens.

[Greghand]

That was called sarcasm about the white people thing.
Answer me this! Who were you you referring to when you mentioned the death of 3m Jews, 100m Native americans?
Are your comminity leaders speaking for your civil rights or every american and if not why?
Jessie Jackson and Rev. Sharpton are Civil Rights Leaders. No shit Einstein! But I asked if they were comminty leaders? And if they are community leaders why don't they speak for all people not just those who are stupid enough for them to made fools of. Rememmber the Duke Lacrosse players. They arent leaders! They are opportunists for the weak minded.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

1. You said "you're right it wasn't about White people. (That was you, wasn't it?)

2. Then you take a quote from what I said to Moral City and combine it with a statement I said to you.

3. Genius keep up.

4. There is no contradiction.

5. Kansas Cities Community leaders matter to the people that need a voice.

6. Jessie Jackson and Rev. Sharpton are Civil Rights Leaders.

[Greghand]

1. I could care less of what Renfro wrote.
2. Where did you read I conceded this isn't a stab at white people?
3. I haven't paid any attention to what Moral wrote.
4. Perhaps it's that YOU should slow down and realize you contridict yourself in almost every one of your posts. (You change your mind of what your letter is about repeatedly).
5. YOUR community leaders are not considered true leaders in society because they only represent a certain sect shunning equality to all citizens.
Do you consider Al Sharpton and/or Jesse Jackson as community leaders?

[Courtney A. Phillips]

GH Community Leaders are trying to fix things. Even Renfro acknowledges that's what they are doing.

You've already conceded this was not a stab at White people, but still claim confusion. So maybe this will help.

Try to concentrate on what I've said to you. Combining what I've said to Moral City and yourself will only slow you down.

[Greghand]

You clearly missed my point about the attacks on community leaders. People continually disrespected, marginalized, and rediculed the community leaders.
Courtney Phillips
I stand behind what I said. This is about making African Americans enemy #1.
Courtney Phillips
Well what's your issue???
Your letter hit on many cylinders but your jumping all around this thread defending one at a time as if no one understood what you wrote is getting extremely contradictory.
If YOUR community leaders (If they were the only subject) want respect to the WHOLE community then they need to fix YOUR/THEIR side of the street otherwise they look ridiculous who see larger and older untouched issues on your side of the street.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

GH your previous comment to me was convoluted.

If you want to make this about me fine. I stand behind what I said. This is about making African Americans enemy #1.

Look at WF Millers, Moral City, and Dixie Prides statements. Rediculous attacks on the African American Community. However, they want to give the benefit of the doubt to White child molesters.

If its some street cleaning be prepared for a different point of view.

[Greghand]

This is about characterizing African-Americans as enemy No. 1.
Courtney Phillips

GH that was somewhat convoluted, but this wasn't about White people.
Courtnet Phillips

Youre right! It wasn't about white people and never will be because it's got to be "all about you!"
Clean up your side of the street and people may listen!

[Courtney A. Phillips]

If you didn't get the analogy is what It was supposed to be (Renfro) I will go over my responses better

[Courtney A. Phillips]

GH that was somewhat convoluted, but this wasn't about White people. WF Miller wrote what I felt was inappropriate. He attacked not only the African American community but the community leaders.

I believe your point is the point I was making to WF Miller. I was telling him to worry about his house.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

Dixie Pride I'm not too literal. I went by your previous statements. I do find it fascinating that you can give Mohler and his merry child molesters the benefit of the doubt, but when beautiful African American women with Masters Degrees who carry themselves as true professionals want to go to court you feel the need to racially demonize them.

I also find it amazing that you won't defend yourself with the lady at the front counter at Gates, but when you start hearing voices, namely Chris Rocks comedy routine on race, your going to get in an African American males face.

I don't doubt you hear voices but like I said previously, it might not go like you want it.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

Again Renfro you concede the racial problems of society haven't been resolved. You claim I made more of a reference than an analogy. I you didn't get they analogy that's on you. However, 390 years of this on any level must stop. (I hope this helps)

You've moved away from Angela Davis. Now your worries are if this garbage is ever setteled I may join what you call the exploitive. Lets correct the problem of a tax payer mall, where our money was good enough but now we're not. Propieters had no problem accepting our money at last years Big 12 tournament. The restrictions where removed, and nothing happened.

[Greghand]

In my view if Mr. Phillips writes a letter concerning demeaning and racial remarks on black radio/TV stations Etc. about white people he just may gain credibility with the discriminated majority. In essence courtney "Clean up your own sidewalk before you start bitchin about my lawn".

[renfro]

“MISTER” Phillips
For political gain or media profit minority injustices are routinely exploited to the extent some will have been so well ingrained or indoctrinated they will continue to protest long after their needs or DEMANDS have been realized.
The basic tenor and analogy used in your publicized letter prompted my initial response.

Your questions of my opinion seem to have spawned another revelation --- “Reverend King in 1963 talked about the highway of freedom and all its dimensions. He felt all of these barriers must be removed. He said we have be patient for 344years. 390years later were dealing with this garbage. I know this doesn't mean a damn thing to you, but it does to me.”
More a reference than analogy but I fear you destined to join those others protesting long after their goals are met!

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Right, so if I show up in a bikini they will let me in? I doubt it.
You are way too literal. People get turned away because of how they carry themselves.
If you dress like a thug and are obnoxious, you gotta go. In fact if you are obnoxious, you gotta go. The key word = obnoxious.
There is something to be said about oversized rims, watches, jackets, pants, bling, etc. It has nothing to do with racism. Why is there not a National Association for Advancement of Caucasins?
Incidentally, I do not have a COnfedrate flag ink, however it would be perfectly fine for me to sport a Nigerian flag tat?

[Courtney A. Phillips]

Too Dark. Is what I meant to say to Renfro.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

No more nice guy. You claim to be a half Asian with the Confederate flag tattoed on your body because of your love for dixie pride. You claim to be discriminated by an interacial group, the NAACP and instead of giving your meal back at Gates like some do You claim racism.

Dixie Pride get up in anyones face you want to but it might not work out like you want it to.

This new law suit is not about dressing thuggish. Jason Whitlock was not dressing thuggish. A lot of good people have been turned around because of people just like you.

[Courtney A. Phillips]

Renfro how do you concede a problem with society, Acknowledge the dress code was completely removed at last years Big 12 tounament then say that it's a personal issue with me.

Reverend King in 1963 talked about the highway of freedom and all its deminsions. He felt all of these barriers must be removed. He said we have be patient for 344years. 390years later were dealing with this garbage. I know this doesn't mean a damn thing to you, but it does to me.

As an African American male, I have been in these situations before and it's dehumanizing. It's not about the clothing it's about a resturant being too.

As far as reading Angela Davis I'm not aware of any books that she's written. If you need a good read just ask.

[swooth]

Where is the harm in a man with baggy jeans wanting a steak, potato and salad for dinner within the p&ld. Where is the problem?

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

So the entire debate is about black/minorities not about private businesses being able to not allow mainstream fashion thugs. Why is it so neccessary to dress like a thug? What is the fascination with it. I think the next time I hear some wannabe make a cracka or white muha****a comment, I will get up in their grill.