Spring Break
NAACP, Ritz resolve incident
Facebook apology quells discontent
STEPHANIE PERRETT
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News
The University's chapter of the NAACP resolved an incident involving The Ritz after the nightclub's owner issued an apology, according to a Facebook message sent Saturday afternoon to NAACP members.
In August 2007, several black University students were denied admission to the nightclub on Broad Street. A doorman told the students their clothing was inappropriate and not in accordance with The Ritz's dress code.
On Aug. 28, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People formed a subcommittee to investigate discrimination at downtown establishments.
"It definitely wasn't a boycott," said Mamie Harper, NAACP President.
Further efforts to obtain details about the incident from NAACP executive board members, including Harper, Sunday were unsuccessful.
In a statement to the NAACP, the owner of The Ritz, Sam Williamson, said he was out of town during the weekend of the incident and was informed of the matter when he returned.
"The doorman on duty this particular night did not fully comprehend our dress code and may have misinterpreted its application," he wrote. "I certainly never intended for (The Ritz's) dress code to be applied and/or viewed in a discriminatory manner.
"I can assure you this was an isolated incident! I accept full responsibility for my employees and apologize to all parties who viewed this incident as discriminatory."
Williamson had discussed the possibility of implementing a dress code with his employees to make the environment of The Ritz classier, he said during a telephone interview Sunday.
"A couple staff members believed they could post a dress code," he said. "The intent of a dress code is to provide a safe environment. We do not have a dress code now."
Williamson declined to speak further on the record.
"I work hard to provide a safe environment for my patrons and ask that all patrons contact me whenever they have questions or concerns regarding their experience at The Ritz," Williamson wrote in his statement to the NAACP.
The University's chapter of the NAACP was established in 1998 and works to guarantee equality and to abolish racial hatred and discrimination in the University and Athens community, according the group's Web site.
"The UGA NAACP encourages all persons of the Athens community to report any acts of discrimination whether it be racial, ethnic, religious, gender or physical and mental ability to the UGA NAACP Chapter," according to the NAACP's Facebook message.
In August 2007, several black University students were denied admission to the nightclub on Broad Street. A doorman told the students their clothing was inappropriate and not in accordance with The Ritz's dress code.
On Aug. 28, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People formed a subcommittee to investigate discrimination at downtown establishments.
"It definitely wasn't a boycott," said Mamie Harper, NAACP President.
Further efforts to obtain details about the incident from NAACP executive board members, including Harper, Sunday were unsuccessful.
In a statement to the NAACP, the owner of The Ritz, Sam Williamson, said he was out of town during the weekend of the incident and was informed of the matter when he returned.
"The doorman on duty this particular night did not fully comprehend our dress code and may have misinterpreted its application," he wrote. "I certainly never intended for (The Ritz's) dress code to be applied and/or viewed in a discriminatory manner.
"I can assure you this was an isolated incident! I accept full responsibility for my employees and apologize to all parties who viewed this incident as discriminatory."
Williamson had discussed the possibility of implementing a dress code with his employees to make the environment of The Ritz classier, he said during a telephone interview Sunday.
"A couple staff members believed they could post a dress code," he said. "The intent of a dress code is to provide a safe environment. We do not have a dress code now."
Williamson declined to speak further on the record.
"I work hard to provide a safe environment for my patrons and ask that all patrons contact me whenever they have questions or concerns regarding their experience at The Ritz," Williamson wrote in his statement to the NAACP.
The University's chapter of the NAACP was established in 1998 and works to guarantee equality and to abolish racial hatred and discrimination in the University and Athens community, according the group's Web site.
"The UGA NAACP encourages all persons of the Athens community to report any acts of discrimination whether it be racial, ethnic, religious, gender or physical and mental ability to the UGA NAACP Chapter," according to the NAACP's Facebook message.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
AthensDoorGuy
posted 1/14/08 @ 4:32 PM EST
Give me a break. This is absolutely ridiculous.
student
posted 1/14/08 @ 7:10 PM EST
I agree. Many bars have dress codes. That is not a racial crime. Anyone not dress accordingly wouldn't be let it.
RP
posted 1/17/08 @ 2:32 PM EST
"In August 2007..."
Jeez, how does this take months to clear up? Either the guys denied entry were wearing clothes that fit the dress code or the weren't. (Continued…)
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