local mall discrimiates against goths

morellademone · Post by **morellademone** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:43 pm

I went to knoxville center mall yesterday to shop with zeo and overall it was a good day. We were walking along on the ground floor and as we walked past the information center a security guard starts yelling "excuse me, excuse me" I turned around and she said" hey you come here." I was thinking what the hell is her problem and as I approached here she told me to take off my spiked collar (it is a very small spiked collar that I purchased at hot topics much like the ones that they sell at spencers) anyway I told her that I was not some punk ass kid and that I would not take off my collar as it was part of my outfit. So she said then you need to leave the mall. Ha I laughed. Absolutely not I am here to shop I told her and I was also not a threat to anyone. After chewing her ass out she gave us a card for the mall manager who zeo called on his cell phone. I was way too mad to talk to him at this point. I grabbed zeo and we went up to spencers while the manager was on the phone. I pointed out a few spike collars that they sell there and talked to the clerks for a bit, they had never heard of anyone being asked to leave for an article of jewelery and thought that it was rediculous. The mall manager ended up appologizing but I still feel like I was singled out for the way that I look and mistaken for a teenager, ok understandable I probably look young. I was told by the guard that they are on orange alert and that they are watching out for terroist, ok I'm not middle eastern I'm a 5'4 106 lb woman. I will be going back to the mall with a few other people dressed similarly armed with a mini tape recorder just to see what happens. I am going to the metro pulse with my story and channel 10. If this problem is not fixed with knoxville center then I will seek legal advice. This situation is unacceptable to me since I have never been asked to leave any establishment based on my clothing before. I thought that everyone was welcome in the mall, guess not. Anyone else have problems in the mall based on appearance?? If anyone would like to be part of the group visiting the mall to change their "so called" policies then you are more than welcome to join. I think there are about 5 who want to go so far. I have not decided on when yet, I thought that I would post this first. I will do anything in my power to prevent this from happening to anyone else in this community and especially the younger generation up and comming and to make sure that we all have the right to freedom of fashion. As many of you know I was part of the team that created an all ages venue for kids to see bands that they otherwise could not based on their age and the age restrictions of other venues. I love all of those kids and respect their individuality and to me it is important to stand up on this issue so that they can continue to grow and become the next generation of nonconformists instead of being insulted and refused the right to be in public places based on their appearance. I am truely disappointed and outraged over this matter. Opinions welcome.

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:22 pm

I bet she was just jealous of your beauty and your boobies.

hey girlie! Glad you are here!

(Morgan)

LittleBit · Post by **LittleBit** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:31 pm

Or, the guard was just purely afraid of the fact that you aren't a conformist like she obviously was/is.
*giggles*
Some people are just so retentive.

littlepockit · Post by **littlepockit** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:36 pm

i had a similar encounter a few years back. discrimination is wrong and it is against the law. let me know if you need any help with with organization or publicity. i have contacts all over the places.

kimmie

email me if you need to
little_pockit@hotmail.com

Spam · Post by **Spam** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:46 pm

Actually they can ask anyone to leave for any reason they want, it is private property after all. I am not saying that what happened to you is cool but it is the way things are. That is why I avoid shopping around people and instead do all of my shopping online.

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:51 pm

Spam wrote: That is why I avoid shopping around people and instead do all of my shopping online.

Yeah, cuz that "Enyce" clothing is pretty risque...lol

littlepockit · Post by **littlepockit** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:51 pm

spammy, i just figured you did that because you knew you were cooler than everyone else...

kimmie

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:55 pm

Union schools hit with religion-related lawsuit
Action claims student was beaten, harassed for being different

By JENNIFER LAWSON, lawson@knews.com
February 14, 2003

India Tracy came to expect being sent to the principal's office even though she was a well-behaved, straight-A student.

But the Union County youngster knew she'd probably be the only student with "no" written on the permission slip to attend a tent revival during school hours. When she declined to portray Mary in a Christmas play, she also was sent to the principal's office.

India and her parents, Greg and Sarajane Tracy, allege other students taunted her, beat her and ridiculed her religion for years. Fed up with the treatment, her parents filed a federal lawsuit on her behalf Thursday.

The lawsuit claims the Union County school system violated India's civil rights by promoting and endorsing religious activities, denied her right to freely exercise her religion and failed to protect her from harassment and physical and verbal abuse.

The first time the Tracys declined to allow their daughter to attend the two-hour, fundamental Christian services held over three days was in 1999, when she was in the fourth grade. The family had bought 11 acres in Union County because they thought the area was beautiful.

"The principal had called me to the office because mine was the only slip that said no," said India, now 14. "He asked me why I didn't want to go. He asked my religion. I told him I didn't want to talk about it and for him to call my parents."

Sarajane Tracy told the principal that she also did not want to discuss religion because she didn't think it belonged in school, she said. The family could be anything - Buddhist, Jewish or Islamic - and it shouldn't matter, she said. The family follows the ancient religious tradition of Paganism, which embraces kinship with nature, positive morality and acknowledges both the female and male side of Deity, according to the Pagan Federation.

India was the only student left in her class during the Area Wide Crusade in April 1999, so her classmates knew she hadn't gone. The crusade was begun in 1998 by a Union County Baptist pastor and is planned for this April as well.

While declining to comment on the lawsuit, school system Director James Pratt said the ministry rents school buses for transporting the students and some teachers act as chaperones but they must use a personal day to do so.

He referred other questions to Nashville attorney Charles Cagle. Cagle declined comment because he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit Thursday afternoon.

The name-calling and rumor spreading began soon after the 1999 revival, India and her parents said.

Between 1999 and February 2002 when her parents removed her from Horace Maynard Middle School, the lawsuit alleges:

n That India was repeatedly called "Satan worshipper," "witch" and other derogatory names. She was accused of eating babies and of being a lesbian because she wasn't a Christian, the lawsuit said.

n That India was forced to attend regular Bible study classes during the school day, and urged to lead the school and her class in prayer.

n That derogatory names were written on her locker in permanent ink and the school refused to paint over the graffiti or move her locker.

n That India was repeatedly attacked as she knelt in front of her bottom-row locker. Her head was bashed at least 10 times, cutting her lip, above her eyes and bloodying her nose.

n That a teacher told India to "keep quiet because you'll get in trouble" after she wrote a paper about religious freedom.

n That a bus driver regularly asked India in front of other students if she had gone to church yet and if she'd like to come to church.

The Tracys' Knoxville attorney, Margaret Held, said the family did not want to sue. They just wanted their daughter to attend a safe school without persecution.

"They tried being quiet about it and that didn't work," she said. "I would hope that the people in Union County who have been killing their goats and beating up their kid are a minority. If there's one thing that Christ taught, it was tolerance."

During her years at Sharps Chapel Elementary School and later at the middle school, India maintained top-notch grades. She also was one of the few girl players on the football team, played in the band and belonged to the Beta Club and Chess Club.

Her parents pulled her out of public school nearly a year ago, after a friend of hers called to say she'd been suggesting suicide. She was diagnosed with anxiety and has been home-schooled since then.

The suit seeks $300,000 in damages to pay India's tuition to a private school, legal fees and the cost of psychological counseling. The suit also seeks a court prohibition against "the school system's continued religious indoctrination of children."

"Maybe it will be a harsh enough lesson so the next child in Union County who's different can continue through school and graduate and feel safe," Sarajane Tracy said.

Jennifer Lawson can be reached at 865-342-6316.

taken from
http://www.knoxnews.com
and
http://www.infidels.org/wire/index.shtml

The Fallen · Post by **The Fallen** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:10 pm

That so reminds me of the story about Tempest Smith, which had a very sad ending...

http://www.detnews.com/2001/schools/0103/07/a01-196600.htm

LittleBit · Post by **LittleBit** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:12 pm

*Sits back in my chair dumfounded*
That poor little girl.
That behavior is almost typical though.
If someone is differant, the 'normals' try to assimilate.
Like human borgs.

Sir Diddimus · Post by **Sir Diddimus** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:16 pm

Spam is right.....

Long ago, while in high school, some friends and I tried to video tape some scenes of some VERY stupid movies in both of our local malls. This was before they were owned by the same company. We, too, were asked to leave in both cases. They were and are technically private property. There is nothing which can be done about it. The only true way to change their policies would be from the inside. Not to mention, East Town has always sucked no matter what they call it.

The Fallen · Post by **The Fallen** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:20 pm

Sir Diddimus wrote:Not to mention, East Town has always sucked no matter what they call it.

Well its not like there's a decent mall within a few hours drive around here anyways :cry:

faeriegirl · Post by **faeriegirl** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:29 pm

A friend and I were in a mall in the suburbs of N.O. and were asked to leave because his shirt had profanity on the back of it (I think it was a Band T Shirt)

Same thing, as far as I know, private property, reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason BS.

Post by **Bone** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:30 pm

I would ask for a "Complete" set of their guidelines for what objectionable clothing is. Fact is that regardless of the Knoxville Center being a privately owned establishment if the guard in question was unjustly harrasing Connie over her appearance, could be grounds for legal action, against both the guard and the corp that owns the mall.
Outside of that I would at least be contacting the corporations that carry the items in question for sale within the mall and make sure they know that the mall Bans customers wearing the Items they sell. Knox Center is hurting bad enough right now for renters that threats of their current (and future...read hot topic) longterm renters pulling out due to such a policy might make em rethink.

Last case a Legal protest at the mall might make em hurt. Think about it, how many people would want to cross a Goth picket line?

Sir Diddimus · Post by **Sir Diddimus** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:33 pm

Bone wrote:Think about it, how many people would want to cross a Goth picket line?

You do have a valid point!

Post by **Bone** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:41 pm

I have only this to say about malls:

The Blues Brothers

Now where can I find an old cop car......... :twisted:

morellademone · Post by **morellademone** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:51 pm

I sent an e-mail to the Simon Corperation and requested a copy of their dress code. So far I haven't heard back from them. The mall is in fact private property but I'm sure if enough people are harrassed there will be a legal way to deal with them. I will find out. Private property or not, kicking someone out because of their appearance is wrong. Kicking someone out based on behaivoir is one thing but clothing is another. So is Simon going to kick out everyone who wears K-Mart shoes?? Where is the line? Is there a line? Probably not. There is nothing posted that specifically talks about jewelery I checked. My mom is going to wear that very collar and a similar outfit and see what happens with the same secrurity guard. It will prove interesting I'm sure. They probably won't even notice she has it on.

Spam · Post by **Spam** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:56 pm

Buttercup wrote:
Spam wrote: That is why I avoid shopping around people and instead do all of my shopping online.

Yeah, cuz that "Enyce" clothing is pretty risque...lol

No I just hate people and it is hard to find any decent Enyce clothing around here. :wink:

ReddErin · Post by **ReddErin** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:26 pm

I am willing to help with whatever is needed, if you would accept it. I can make up flyers, etc. Let me know how I may assist you. Let's put differences aside and smash these mother fuckers' balls.

blindboy · Post by **blindboy** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:53 pm

hey recluse if i remeber right were we not asked to leave the mall in chatt once cause you were wearing a manson "god of fuck" t-shirt? :p