SF hotel manager wont take credit cards from "black people" (San Francisco: school, live in)

[marilyn220]

He also said "those people" too, but who's paying attention.

What's up San Fran? I thought you guys were "peace, love, and cupcakes".

San Francisco Travelodge Employee Accused Of Not Taking Black Musicians' Credit Cards

A local venue owner says that last night a manager at the San Francisco Travelodge on Market Street refused to accept the credit cards of three members of the Meters Experience -- because they were black.

Jason Perkins, who operates the New Parish in Oakland and S.F.'s Brick and Mortar Music Hall, says the manager of the hotel at 1707 Market insisted that original Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli leave a cash deposit, saying "he doesn't take black people's credit cards anymore."

"Your manager refused to accept a credit card from a famous artist, Leo Nocentelli of the Meters, saying your policy is not to accept credit cards from black people," Perkins wrote in an e-mail to a Travelodge manager that was cc'd to SF Weekly. "This person is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you treated him so terribly I am still shaking."

Here's what Perkins told his friend, David Pescovitz, who's an editor and partner at BoingBoing:

I bought 4 rooms for the band and prepaid for them on debit card. After sound check, Leo and the band went to the hotel and tried to check in. The manager refused to accept 3 of 4 members credit cards for incidentals (4th member is Rich Vogel/white dude). Leo called me and (my family and I) drove to the hotel at 7:30 pm. I asked what the hell and manager pointed at 3 members and said he wouldn't accept credit cards and "those people" need to pay cash deposit. When I asked what did he mean by "those people" -- he pointed at Leo and said "black people."

I felt like I was hit in the face. It was stunning. I called the police and when they arrived, the police went through it with him and then he caught himself and said that they cannot check in any longer as he didn't feel "safe." He then refused to talk.

Our calls to the hotel and to Wyndham Hotel Group, Travelodge's parent company, have not been returned. However, the Examiner got through to one local representative:

[A] Travelodge Central manager who identified himself only as Michael W., claims hotel policy is to deny access to those whose credit cards reflect insufficient funds.

When asked if Mr. Nocentelli's credit card had been run through for a credit check, Mr. W. responded, "there are cameras in the hotel." Mr. W. then stated he was being harassed and hung up the phone.

[Natural510]

I'm guessing he's a foreigner.

[DevionisDream]

It doesn't matter the city/state.. Racism against Blacks is alive and well.

[marilyn220]

Originally Posted by DevionisDream

It doesn't matter the city/state.. Racism against Blacks is alive and well.

You mean "those people".

I'm really, really surprised that THIS type of info is coming out of the SECOND "brotherly love" city in the country.

Not cool. Y'all better school Mr. Foreigner on how we do things HERE.

[rkwalton]

I'm black and I'm not surprised. I'm just glad it's getting some publicity.

To be honest, when I lived abroad there was racism there, but it's much more painful to deal with when it happens in your own country and, unfortunately, it happens too often.

[Phil306]

Originally Posted by DevionisDream

It doesn't matter the city/state.. Racism against Blacks is alive and well.

Oh yes, it is. I've said it many times on this board and have put down, etc for it. I'm a black man, married to a blonde haired, blue eyed woman. When this issue has come up in the past and I have talked about my experiences, I have been called a liar, et al.

The SF Bay Area is NO cornicopia of racial tolerance; although it pretends to be. There is racism in this area; maybe not like in some areas of the south, however, stone cold, nasty racism. But watch the people come out of the woodwork, defending this disgusting area of the state, saying it isn't true. Yet, issue, after issue, after issue, continues to come forward.

[Woof]

What's the problem? Those black guys will become multimillionaires from this. Could be the best thing that ever happened in their entire lives.

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by Woof

What's the problem? Those black guys will become multimillionaires from this. Could be the best thing that ever happened in their entire lives.

They've got 19 albums out, and are considered "pioneers" of funk music... I think they're doing okay. Being inducted into the rock hall of fame was probably a better candidate for "best thing that's ever happened to them!"

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

They've got 19 albums out, and are considered "pioneers" of funk music... I think they're doing okay. Being inducted into the rock hall of fame was probably a better candidate for "best thing that's ever happened to them!"

The biggest surprise to me is that they would stay at the Travelodge.

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by Phil306

Oh yes, it is. I've said it many times on this board and have put down, etc for it. I'm a black man, married to a blonde haired, blue eyed woman. When this issue has come up in the past and I have talked about my experiences, I have been called a liar, et al.

The SF Bay Area is NO cornicopia of racial tolerance; although it pretends to be. There is racism in this area; maybe not like in some areas of the south, however, stone cold, nasty racism. But watch the people come out of the woodwork, defending this disgusting area of the state, saying it isn't true. Yet, issue, after issue, after issue, continues to come forward.

And what part of the state are you from or familiar with where there's less racism? Please point me to it. I've spoken on the topic of Bay Area racism a lot on here, and not just about racism against blacks. The Bay Area and California in general have a very racist history dating back to the mid 1800's.

That being said, you sound like you had some unrealistic expectations about the Bay before you came here. Out of curiosity what part of the bay did/do you live in?