'No Colors Allowed' Sign Causes Controversy

OFF THE WIRE
Biker Rights Issues
By Glenn Counts
WCNC.com
this story is from the early fall... we talked about it recently...
it's just too friggin' funny to ignore.

LAKE WYLIE, S.C. -- The Knot Hole has been around for years, but a few months ago the owner put up a signs that reads, "Please notice, no colors allowed. Thank you."
It got the attention of a NewsChannel 36 viewer, who asked to be identified only as "Jane."
"At first looking at it I was offended, and then after that I got kind of angry," said Jane.
A few days ago Jane, who is of Asian descent, and some girlfriends headed to the bar for a drink and the sign stopped her in her tracks.
"Whether you are white, black, Asian, Hispanic -- it doesn't matter what race you are, just reading that sign you should be offended by it," Jane said.
But does the sign mean what it says or is it saying something else?
"We welcome people from all walks. That sign has nothing to do with skin color," said "Bo" Legg, co-owner of the Knot Hole.
He says "colors" has to do with gangs, specifically motorcycle gangs. Each gang has a color or a patch, and most gangs would be willing to fight to the death to defend it.
"I hope everybody is here to get along," Legg said. "If you're not here to get along and have a good time, I don't want you here."
Concern about biker gangs went up a notch when the Hell's Angels moved in several months ago, but the York County Sheriff's Office says the gang hasn't been involved in any major incidents so far.
While Jane understands the bar's explanation, she said she believes the sign could be altered to make it clearer.
"Hopefully people who go through the bar will think twice, maybe," Jane said.
Legg said he has gotten other complaints, including one from the NAACP, but he says the group was satisfied with his explanation.
Original article...
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/244/story/898519.html


Last Updated on Thursday, 24 December 2009 13:13