I recently heard about a disappointing situation in Star, Idaho. Apparently LaMonte, a 37 year old man, was denied service at a popular bar in Star because he was African-American. The story he told me was that he and two other friends entered the bar and ordered a beer on Wednesday January 30th. His friends were served and not asked to show ID. When it was LaMonte’s turn to order a drink he was asked to show identification. He showed the bartender his driver’s license. The bartender then told him that she believed the ID was not real. LaMonte showed her two additional forms of identification, yet the bartender refused to serve him and told him that she did not have to explain her reasons for not serving him.
LaMonte, embarrassed and angry, left the bar and waited outside for his friends. Evidently while he was waiting his friends were finishing their beers and telling everyone in the bar that their friend had been racially discriminated against. A man then approached LaMonte as he waited for his friends outside the bar and stated that he had known the bartender for many years. He told LaMonte “Well dude, you just got to realize where you are.” LaMonte replied “In Star, Idaho?” The man said yes. LaMonte replied, “Isn’t Idaho in the United States?” The man said yes. LaMonte then told him “Then I deserve a drink just like you.” The man offered to go back into the bar with LaMonte and talk to the bartender. LaMonte had the impression that the man was telling him that if he went back into the bar with that man, he would be “accepted” and served.
I think the patrons and employees of that popular bar in Star, Idaho could use a refresher on the law that applies to ALL cities in the United States. In case you missed that day in history class, back in 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed (due to the very actions in which you just engaged). This Act prohibits you from refusing to provide a service to a person based upon his race. Specifically section 42 of the United States Code, Section 2000 (a) states: All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.
What is truly unfortunate, is the fact that LaMonte moved his two small children to our community because he wanted to move away from a large city in order to raise his children in a smaller one; one which was supposed to provide a better quality of life. Star, you represent one of the cities in our State – a state which is represented by one of the stars on our American Flag. I hope that your community works together to fix this problem. America should represent zero tolerance for racial discrimination.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Teresa // Feb 5, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I find it equally sad that his “friends” stayed inside in the warm bar to enjoy thier drinks, while he was sent outside to the freezing cold. They should have left, informed the bar why they would not be back, and asked the bar owners to address the community with their reasoning behind this event. If they indeed refused service due to race, the community of Star should ask some questions.
2 Phil Carroll // Feb 6, 2008 at 9:54 am
Some one needs to identify the bar understanding the legal ramifications without a source, so that the owner can be sanctioned.
3 Julie Fanselow // Feb 14, 2008 at 7:15 am
A friend told me about this post. Saundra, you are to be commended for publicizing this. I hope some area media take notice, too. This sort of thing flat out shouldn’t be happening in 2008, period.
Although I live here in Idaho, I work for a national nonprofit, Everyday Democracy, which helps communities address issues that need attention. We’ve helped Kuna with its growth issues and many North Idaho communities address poverty, but our specialty is helping communities of all kinds talk about race relations and take action to achieve true racial equity.
It sounds like Star – and perhaps other idaho communities as well – could benefit from some conversations and action around this topic. Click my name for more information.
4 Whitney // Aug 11, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I had a terrible experience with the bartender in Star this weekend. I have never in my life been so insulted by somone I know nor a stranger. I was appauled. I wonder if it was the same lady. I feel like reporting them to the BBB. That is very sad and I hate to see people like this give ID such a bad rep.
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