Racism in a Greek Pari Store In Nashville TN.....Please read

[aquafina03]

If you haven't heard the full story of the SGgRho's
encounter
>
> w/
>
> discrimination @ the You Greek, Me Greek store on West End,
here it
>
> is...
>
>
>
> Racial Discrimination Protest
>
>
>
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
>
>
> On October 5,2005 Latoya Trice, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., placed a t-shirt order with an establishment by the name of
You Greek, Me Greek, a local greek paraphernalia store. It was made clear
that if Latoya wanted to make any changes to the t-shirt, she should e-mail
or notify him before the shirts were printed. After making some minor
changes, the owner agreed that he would be able to provide his services and a
deposit was put down. On October 28,2005 at around 11:30am, Latoya Trice returned to the store along with two other members of the sorority; Ashley Coleman and
myself, April Gardner. Our intentions were to talk to the store owner and
see if anything could be done to compensate for the screen printing errors of
the t-shirts, whether in a monetary refund, or by reprinting the shirts. Upon entering the store a lady by the name of Jamie greeted us and went to he back of the store to get her husband. Before engaging in any discussion we took notice that there were about 2 or 3 customers in the
store. Steve and Jamie came out and we proceeded to tell him about our concern and dissatisfaction with the faded letters on the t-shirt. We remained calm and were willing to work with the correction of the t-shirts.
Steve continued to tell us that the mistakes were minor details, which we should
have known they might come out with those mistakes, and that he had to work a
number of hours to complete the shirts, and therefore would not be reprinting
them.
We proceeded to go back and forth with him, while Jamie stands behind the cash register saying things like "I'm tired of them", "They just
want stuff for free", "They're scaring away the customers", and referring to
us as a "gang". After going back and forth with Steve he tells his wife to
just give us $100 back to "make them shut up" and that he'll never again provide
a service for the sorority. Jamie then takes 8 $10 bills and 1 S20 bill from the cash register and proceeds to physically throw the money in our face. After this, many if not all of the customers began leaving the store.
Steve tells her to pick up the money, but continues to tell us that he just wants us out of the store, and that they are going to be forced to call the
police. At this point the discussion becomes even more heated, and he tells us that he will give us back $200 and then we need to leave. Steve tells Jamie to take
out another
$100 from the register, at which point Jamie becomes extremely
upset. She tells him that there is not even enough money in the register
to do so, and
that we shouldn't even get the money back. I then said to
Jamie, that we
would rather discuss this with Steve, as he was the one who actually made the shirts.
Jamie then positions herself in front of my face, and yells
that we wasted her entire Sunday byway of the t-shirts, and tells me and my sorors to "Go to hell, you FUCKING NIGGER BITCHES." A delivery man from UPS
walks in the store just as Steve is shouting at Jamie to "shut the FUCK up" and
to "get the
FUCK
in the back." At this point, Latoya and I left the store, and
Ashley
stayed
to
resume the monetary issue.

As African Americans, we are completely outraged by the events
that took

place

in the store today. As well as being harassed, discriminated
against,
and
demeaned, we were publicly humiliated and made to feel as
though we were
a
threat to the public. We are looking to spread the word about
this
unfortunate and appalling event. We want to make sure that any and
everybody who may
possibly conduct business with this establishment is aware of
their
discriminatory ways, and that the store owners receive the
proper
repercussions due. If you can help us in any way regarding
this matter,
your
time and efforts are greatly appreciated.
>

[NUPE4LIFE]

Isn't College Crib in Nashville? Why didn't they support a black owned greek shop? Having said that, If the story turns out to be true I would report those folks to the BBB and I'd even get the local news involved so that negative PR can hurt their business.

[aquafina03]

Yes, College Crib is in Nashville but their prices are way too high and sometimes its hard to get a large quanity of shirts within the time frame that you need them. I still go in there every now and then.
This story is true and was on the news earliar this week. There was also a small protest outside of the store. I don't know any of the SG Rho's, but hopefully they will do the right thing.

[DC_Zeta1920]

I read an article about this and saw a picture of the protest. This is truly unfortunate

[DST4A00]

Sounds like a good old fashioned boycott.
1. they didn't do the job to the satisfaction of the customers.
2. they became irate and belligerent when a refund was requested.
3. racists remarks were used when the conversation became heated. Had violence insued, it would be classified a hate crime.)

ALL SIGNS POINT TO BOYCOTT!!.

(looks like college crib is about to get a lot more business.)

[OhSoDetermined]

I love the South, but stories like this make my stomach turn. Continue to spread the word and hit them where it hurts them the most, their pockets.

[Lady of Pearl]

BUY BLACK! Never get your pari from places such as this!

[NinjaPoodle]

From the Yahoo NPHC listserv
************************************

"NPHC, Nashville" <nphc_nashville@hotmail.com>
Subject: NPHC of Nashville Response: U Greek Me Greek Incident
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:24:02 -0600

Fraters and Sorors,


I am sure by now; many of you have read about or have seen news reports concerning the allegations of discrimination by local store U Greek Me Greek, against ladies of Alpha Beta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. This incident has brought to light major social and racial issues that continue to plague our society and each of us as members of the Greek community have been affected by the details so far. Many of you are asking what the Pan is going to do in support of the protest. The response is that NPHC of Nashville agrees something must be done, and we will support our fellow Greeks in determining how to affect a business establishment that seemingly shows no regard for customer service.



Before the NPHC of Nashville makes an official statement about this issue, I am continuing to gather all the facts surrounding this incident, so that we can be most informed. I have spoken with Kelvin Jones of the Metro Human Relations Commission, who is willing to mediate, once a Sigma Gamma Rho representative contacts him. At that time, he and his office will gather all details. I am currently waiting to hear back from the advisor of the Alpha Beta Chapter, so that a meeting with Mr. Jones is scheduled. Time is of the essences, I am asking that a Sigma Gamma Rho representative contact either Mr. Jones or me ASAP.



As informed consumers, we have the power to affect an establishment’s business. Our patronage should discontinue with an establishment that does not respect us, as the powerful consumers that we are. Once the investigation is underway and completed I will issue a more formal statement as to how the NPHC of Nashville will respond.


Let me know if you have any additional information or suggestions!



Sisterly,

Soror Jenean Davis

President

NPHC of Nashville

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by NUPE4LIFE
Isn't College Crib in Nashville? Why didn't they support a black owned greek shop?

Sadly, this is not always possible. There is a Black owned Greek store in Houston near TSU in Third Ward that has very few pari selections for SGRho and only a tad more for Zeta. We've (members of my chapter) talked to the owner several times about keeping current pari items stocked for us, but he refuses. One day I just point blank asked why and he said he gets more business from the Delta's so he keeps alot of their stuff in stock. (Note: The Houston Alumnae Chapter house of Delta is near his shop also.) So, I just informed him that I'd do better by ordering my pari items online and he was like . Old man hadn't thought about that .