Are separate rallies for bikers unequal?

[wildeyed]

From Myrtle Beach, SC

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This year, a long-simmering dispute over the handling of two motorcycle groups -- one mostly white, one mostly black -- who descend annually on this tourist mecca has caught the ear of federal judges and the nation.

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The NAACP and some riders have complained for years that the city and a few businesses put a damper on black bike week. They say unfair changes in traffic rules, business hours and prices aim to discourage participation.

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Along Ocean Boulevard last week, "Welcome bikers" signs and reserved parking spaces greeted Harley riders. Vendors set up camp near the Harley-Davidson dealership on U.S. 17, the smell of leather and beer mingling in the breeze. Instead of unfolding lawn chairs before the crashing surf, spectators lined them up along Ocean Boulevard, where they could watch gleaming chrome grunt past all day.

The NAACP says the red carpet will roll up this weekend. For one, the city will convert Ocean Boulevard's two-way traffic to one-way, and keep two lanes open for emergency vehicles. Peters Wilborn Jr., an attorney representing the Conway branch of the NAACP in its lawsuit against the city, said the change makes traffic worse and dissuades riders from coming. Some restaurants have also faced lawsuits after closing during black bike week, though they said gridlock prevented employees from coming in. Bikers have said eateries and gas stations charged them inflated prices. The complaints coincide with the only weekend of the year when the majority of tourists are African American, White said. "That's plain old wrong, and it needs to be corrected," he said.



Comparing the Events

Gary Loftus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., estimated the total visitors occupying hotel rooms and other lodging sites during both weekends: 2004 Harley: 290,000 visitors over nine days.

2004 Memorial Day (black biker) weekend: More than 200,000 visitors over three days.

2005 Harley: 320,000 visitors over nine days.

ARREST COUNTS

Number of people arrested or cited by Myrtle Beach police during the prime weekend (Saturday and Sunday) for both events:

2004 Harley (2nd weekend): 317

2004 Memorial Day (black biker) weekend: 673

2005 Harley (2nd weekend): 310

SOURCE -- MYRTLE BEACH POLICE CAPT. DAVID KNIPES

EXTRA OFFICERS

Number of extra officers brought in from law enforcement agencies outside Myrtle Beach to help:

Harley: 100 extra officers

Memorial Day (black biker) weekend: 300 extra officers

SOURCE -- MYRTLE BEACH POLICE CAPT. DAVID KNIPES

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/11740003.htm

My personal favorite quote, the local who objected to the way the black bike week motorcycles sounded :eyes:

[angee_is_mad]

1. Greek fest at Virginia Beach

use to be the same way back in the day. As the event got bigger, so did the discrimination. Needless to say there no longer is a Greek Fest at Virginia Beach.

People who go to Bike week covers the whole spectrum of the black community, that is the reason why the city can't break them. Unlike Greek Fest, which were mainly black college students, the city is dealing with grown folks who are willing to take them on.

[wildeyed]

4. Grown folks who will take them on

and can afford expensive motorcycles.

Sounds like the city will be under close scrutiny this year. But remember, this is SC, where they still fly the confederate flag on the statehouse grounds.

[fortyfeetunder]

2. Take the money elsewhere

There is limited use in screaming discrimination, when there is a more powerful tool used by our civil rights pioneer: the right to take our money somewhere else.

Surely there is another city or state who would roll out the red carpet to a Black group and offer a good time. so vistors need not worry about police hired "just for us" and merchants not trying to inflate prices, etc.

[angee_is_mad]

3. it's not that easy

this is a tradition that has been going on for several years.

Besides, do you know of any coastal city in THis country that will welcome 300,000+ blacks over three days with open arms?

[fortyfeetunder]

5. Courage over tradition

Tradition is not a good enough answer. I remember hearing stories from pre-civil rights days, when folks weren't treated as equals at certain establishments, they took their business elsewhere. Why can't this be handled the same way? Folks died in the civil rights movement so today's partiers can party almost anywhere they want.

Folks need courage to go outside the box and find new traditions. If one city is not going to be receptive, do the research and find somewhere else. It's as simple as that.

And no, I don't know of a coastal city in this country seeking out 300K blacks for an event...but that is not to say there isn't one.

[ecstatic]

6. I agree wholeheartedly

The reason why we get abused is because we (not me personally) accept abuse and STILL give up the dollars. This has got to stop! Money talks! If SC can take our dollars and still treat us like crap, why wouldn't they?

[fortyfeetunder]

7. It's not about principle, it's about image

I can't understand the idea, just like you said. But I guess those who want to perpetuate the tradition don't care about the unjustified abuse....

[Swamp Rat]

8. I thought money was green?

Some people just WANT to hate others, even if it means losing business. x(

[wildeyed]

9. I know.

Can you imagine a tourist business closing during Memorial Day Weekend when 300k visitors were expected. :crazy: I would be standing out in front of my store jumping up and down with glee, holding a bucket to collect all the cash. Which is all the same shade of green.

[SemperEadem]

11. exactly

they'd rather contribute to their own economic downturn than to open their business to vacationing black folks. That's what racism forces a weak mind to do.

I would rather find a more accomodating location where I know my food won't be spit into than to force some hell-bound racist to serve me in their restaurant when they feel they don't need my money to help them keep their tacky business.

[Brewman_Jax]

10. Money isn't green enough

history has shown that the idea of great numbers of black people in any one place at the same time trumps money. Freaknic in Atlanta as another example.