SF hotel manager wont take credit cards from "black people" (San Francisco: renting, hotels)

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by Nineties Flava

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?

This is exactly what I was thinking. Nobody is immune to racism, discrimination (of gays, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, even Asians or people with kids, the elderly..... you name it)...anywhere and everywhere. I've been called a racist name (chin*) in my own neighborhood (Richmond District) in San Francisco! I'm never surprised or shocked anymore...very angry, absolutely (still bugs me to this day!!). It doesn't speak volumes about an entire population, however. Outspoken racists and bigots reside in every city/town/village across the nation.

Once, when my husband and I were looking for a two bedroom apt in the City, I called a property owner about an apartment and he asked us how many people? I told him a married couple and one child--he said ...Oh, no kids, no kids...sorry". I should have reported but I guess everyone has experienced this kind of thing from time to time (hopefully a very rare occurrence).

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

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

Usually the promoter/club handle the band's accommodations; they probably have a pre-negotiated rate with the hotel chain or something.

[mayorhaggar]

People from outside of the Bay Area use this sort of event for trolling. People who have actually lived in SF know that it's a fairly segregated city, especially for blacks, who are only something like 6% of SF's population. This happening is shameful but it's not that surprising, a lot of people in SF are just not used to dealing with black people who have money, all they see in their minds is homeless people, or people from Hunter's Point, or people from Oakland, i.e. scary black Oakland gangsters. SF is a huge international travel destination but people in SF just cannot break out of their provincial mindset that every black person is scary and due for marginalization. At least in Oakland people are used to dealing with the large black middle class there.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

People from outside of the Bay Area use this sort of event for trolling. People who have actually lived in SF know that it's a fairly segregated city, especially for blacks, who are only something like 6% of SF's population. This happening is shameful but it's not that surprising, a lot of people in SF are just not used to dealing with black people who have money, all they see in their minds is homeless people, or people from Hunter's Point, or people from Oakland, i.e. scary black Oakland gangsters. SF is a huge international travel destination but people in SF just cannot break out of their provincial mindset that every black person is scary and due for marginalization. At least in Oakland people are used to dealing with the large black middle class there.

SF fear of black people re-entering 'their' City, perhaps? All the laws in the world can't preclude the crass behavior of those who choose to discriminate against those who don't look like one's idea of the 'chosen' ones. Scary thing is, there are increasingly more rationalizations for why this sort of practice is not only OK, but generally preferred. Welcome to 2012. Certainly, we want to promote a business-friendly environment, yes?

[Hard8]

Originally Posted by 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

As silly as it is to not accept a credit card from someone based on their race, its equally as silly to assume a whole entire city is racist because of the actions of one hotel owner.

Also, let's not assume that just because the black community in SF has been historically marginalized, that the people who now live in the city are automatically racist, or they supported those actions, or that they are happy with the current state of affairs. I know about the shady history this city has, e.g. the "redevelopment" of the Fillmore....but as an individual living in the present day, what realistically can I do about it? Unfortunately I can't go into the projects and save the black community. The best I can do is just live with respect, tolerance, and dignity. And that's what most people here actually do, despite the occasional anecdote to the contrary.

[Woof]

I'm a bit curious about who is doing the racist actions ....... mostly whites, or mostly Asians? In my experience Asians are much more racist than whites.

[analyze_this]

What's the big deal about this? The manager must have had terrible experience in the past with this demographic probably disputing the transaction later/ using fraudulent cards. It's his business and he has the right to deny service to whoever he feels won't pay up/ cause trouble.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by analyze_this

What's the big deal about this? The manager must have had terrible experience in the past with this demographic probably disputing the transaction later/ using fraudulent cards. It's his business and he has the right to deny service to whoever he feels won't pay up/ cause trouble.

not true if theirs debit/credit cards had the required financial balance needed to book the room.

the hotel is going to be sued for a civil right violation mark my words.

[mayorhaggar]

Originally Posted by analyze_this

What's the big deal about this? The manager must have had terrible experience in the past with this demographic probably disputing the transaction later/ using fraudulent cards. It's his business and he has the right to deny service to whoever he feels won't pay up/ cause trouble.

And anyone has the right to use their free speech to criticize the hotel. Just because something might be legal or in a legal gray area doesn't mean anyone criticizing it should be censored. We're a democracy.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by marilyn220

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.

I need respond to this as it needs some clearing up. There is little "brotherly lovey" about SF these days. That's the reputation the city earned in the 60's and one which fast disappeared during the 80's. Now my bay area expertise is on the other side of the bay but there are SF natives here who can tell you SF truths better than I but I can tell you this, the real SF is not what's portrayed and not what tourists see when they're here.