ACLU Tells Virginia Beach Bar to Rescind Racially Discriminatory Hair Policy or Face Legal Action (10/5/2006)
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.orgPolicy Prohibiting Braids, Twists, Cornrows
Discriminates Against
African-American Patrons
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- In a
letter sent today to Barry Taylor, the owner of Kokoamos Island Bar, Grill and
Yacht Club, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia demanded that the
Virginia Beach nightspot rescind a policy of barring hairstyles worn almost
exclusively by African-American patrons.
"It is very troubling that
a business open to the public in 2006 would seek to ban hairstyles associated
with a particular race, creed, or ethnicity," said ACLU of Virginia Executive
Director Kent Willis. "The suggestion that people with different
hairstyles should attend different kinds of bars does not square with the values
of equal rights reflected in our society, especially when the hairstyles in
question are so closely associated with race."
Kokoamos
denies entry to anyone wearing, braids, twists, cornrows and dreadlocks -- all
of which are styles traditionally worn by African Americans, the ACLU said. The
ACLU argues that the policy violates the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
prohibits public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of
race.
The ACLU is representing Kim Hines, an African-American woman
who was refused entry to the club in August because she wears her hair in
dreadlocks. When she complained to the club the following day, she was
advised to visit the owner's "urban" club in Newport News.
In
today's letter, ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg asks Taylor to
"provide immediate written assurances that individuals will no longer be barred
from any of your clubs by reason of a hairstyle associated with a particular
race, religion, or ethnicity. If such assurances are not forthcoming, Ms.
Hines will not hesitate to pursue all avenues to enforce her legal
rights."
Big Daddy's, a nightclub in Richmond's Shockoe Slip,
recently dropped its policy of denying entrance to persons with braids, cornrows
or dreadlocks, after clients and civil rights advocates claimed that the policy
discriminated against African Americans.
"The owners of Big
Daddy's immediately recognized the racist aspects of their policy banning
braids, cornrows and dreadlocks, and voluntarily changed their policy," added
Willis. "We are hoping that Kokoamos will follow
suit."
The text of the ACLU's letter to Taylor
follows.
October 5, 2006
Barry Davis,
Owner
Kokoamos Island Bar, Grill and Yacht Club
2100 Marina Shores Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Dear Mr. Davis:
I write
on behalf of Kim Hines, a would-be patron who was turned away from Kokoamos
because of your policy against braids, dreadlocks, cornrows and twists.
Because this policy unlawfully discriminates on the basis of race, I ask that
you immediately repeal it.
Ms. Hines - who is African American and
wears her hair in dreadlocks - and three white friends went to Kokoamos in
August of this year. A security guard told Ms. Hines that she could not
enter because the club did not allow braids, twists, cornrows, or
dreadlocks. A security guard told one of Ms. Hines' friends that she was
welcome to come in, but that he could not allow "that" (indicating Ms. Hines) to
enter.
As I am sure you're aware, the hairstyles prohibited at
Kokoamos are all traditionally worn by African Americans. As a result,
prohibiting these styles has the effect of excluding a certain segment of the
population based on race, in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42
U.S.C. § 2000a.
Additionally, it is my understanding that this hairstyle policy is not in
place at another of your clubs, The Alley, in Newport News, which has a
predominantly African-American clientele. Indeed, when Ms. Hines
complained to your management about the treatment she had received, it was
suggested that she go to that club instead. The de facto segregation
promoted by this differential policy also violates the Civil Rights
Act.
Accordingly, please provide immediate written assurances that
individuals will no longer be barred from any of your clubs by reason of a
hairstyle associated with a particular race, religion, or ethnicity. If
such assurances are not forthcoming, Ms. Hines will not hesitate to pursue all
avenues to enforce her legal rights.
Should you wish to discuss this matter, please do not hesitate to call me at
(804) 644-8080. Thank you for your attention to this
matter.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
K. Glenberg
Legal Director
cc:
Sandra D. Norman, Director, Virginia Human Rights Council
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