A Minneapolis bar’s new dress has code sparked a controversy among its patrons. Many customers feel that Bar Louie’s list of prohibited clothing items has proved itself as a discriminatory policy toward stereotypical African-American dress, Fox 9 News reports.
Seven articles of clothing are now banned from the Minnesota bar, from Thursday through Saturday after 9PM:
No Flat-Billed Hats
No Sleeveless Under Shirts
No Excessively Baggy Clothing
No Large Chains Worn Outside Of Shirt
No Long Plain White T-Shirts
No Athletic Apparel
No Sports Jerseys Unless Collared
"It's the new Jim Crow being enforced in a colorblind way," Michelle Horovitz told Fox 9 News. "You might as well say, 'No black folks allowed.’ It's ridiculous… Minnesota might be the nicest, healthiest, cleanest state in America, but we have huge issues as far as segregation, racism, systematic oppression -- and people want to look the other way."
The intersection of dress code and culture isn't a new one. Campaigns like "We Are All Trayvon" -- centered around the hooded sweatshirt Trayvon Martin was wearing when he was killed -- testify to a cultural connection between clothing, judgement and stereotypes.
Minneapolis resident, Imani Vincent, explained to Fox 9 News how he intends on responding to the new dress code.
"Hurt 'em in the pockets. That's where it would hurt them the most. If they don't want us there, then we don't have to be there -- and that's their loss."