Former employee: Blacks and Asians denied entry to Dallas bar
A former employee of a Dallas bar says the establishment practiced acts of racism by excluding blacks and Asians from its business.
According to Stephanie Guidry, Kung Fun Saloon in Uptown did so by enforcing a strict dress code, but not applying it to its white customers.
“I never saw any white people getting turned away,” said Stephanie Guidry, a former employee. Guidry was an event coordinator at the bar from September of 2012 to January of 2013. She said managers told employees to screen customers, not only when people came to the bar in person, but over the phone.
“I would have to call them up on the phone and speak to them on the phone,” she said. “And listen to their accent — listen to see if they sounded ghetto or too Asian.”
“Ghetto,” she said, was a code word for black. In those instances, she was supposed to say the bar was booked. And if she didn’t, “There were comments made to me, like, ‘Why is it so dark in here? Why is it so Asian in here? Did you not screen these phone calls?’”
A social media campaign was launched against the Kung Fu Saloon after DeAndre Upshaw, a black man, says he was told he violated an unposted dress code. Upshaw says his attire was similar to white customers who were allowed in. At the time, managers told News 8 that they were investigating and insisted they serve a diverse crowd. A dress code in compliance with Dallas city codes was posted at a later date.
Guidry was terminated over what she described as false claims soon after she booked a party for Asian friends.
Jeff Hahn, a spokesperson for Kung Fu Saloon, provided News 8 with the following statement:
“Kung Fu Saloon has always been a welcoming establishment, so we have taken this matter seriously. While accounts of what may have taken place vary, the important thing is that our team is fully committed to providing all our patrons an enjoyable time. Several City of Dallas officials dropped in for a short visit just the other day and got to experience this for themselves.”
What can we learn by making these acts of discrimination public?
Do they serve as reminders that we do not live in a post-racial society like some claim?
Sound off below!