It wasn't until I started writing this piece that I realised just how complex the relationship between black women and Nightclub promoters really is. Some black women think all promoters are racist, others think only a handful are, and some think it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with preference. Stories about Black women being refused entry into Nightclubs has become a common topic on Twitter. With many women using the app to express their outrage and disgust when being refused entry into Nightclubs. Most of these stories refer to the cunning ways that Nightclub promoters sugar coat their racial prejudice by referring to black women as not appropriately dressed to enter their clubs. Now I know what you're thinking, yes some black women are not appropriately dressed, but this rule should apply to all women right? Sadly in many cases it doesn't. It seems that no matter how high our heels are or how cute outfits are, to some club promoters we will never be dressed to their standard, and this has nothing to do with our clothes and everything to do with our skin complexion.
One club that is constantly being bashed on Social Media is DSTRKT. X-Factor contestant Gifty Louise early this month received backlash for attending a Ghana Independence party at DSTRKT, a club accused of employing racist entry policies. Many were angered by Gifty's decision to attend the event, due to the incident which started the #DoILookDSTRKT protest back in 2016. When a group of black women were refused entry for being too dark. After these protests, many black women came out and exposed the various ways promoters have treated them. However it's fair to say not all black women are discriminated against. Many women have exposed the type of black woman that is deemed as acceptable by promoters. These women often have a lighter complexion or dress in an overtly sexy and provocative way. I find it both insulting and sickening that as black women we have to adhere to some stranger's perception of beauty for us to be labelled as good enough to get into these so-called world-renowned Nightclubs.
With all this happening, I still don't understand why some black women decide to justify racists entry polices by making frivolous statements such as
"I got into that club, so they can't be racist."
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that one black person being let into a Nightclub does not excuse years of racial discrimination that has resurfaced in recent months. On the other hand this doesn't mean that the black women who accuse all promoters of being racists are any better. Not all club promoters are racists and it's not fair for us to paint them all with the same brush.
Overall I personally will never understand black women who defend racist entry policies and the black promoters who enforce them. The most upsetting thing about it all is that black women are being made to feel unattractive and undesired, which can have a long-term damaging effect on their self-confidence. It's sad to think that after reading this some black women will continue to justify the actions of racist club promoters.