The story slowly made its way around the nation, via a crafty combination of a viral internet campaign and word of mouth.

If you hadn’t heard, six Washington University students were recently refused entrance to a Chicago bar (Mother’s) supposedly for violation of its “baggy pants” dress code.  Chicago media has covered the story extensively, often highlighting the historical racial overtones which are invariably embedded in the subtext.

Click HERE.

Chicago and racism aren’t exactly mutually exclusive, it’s fair to say.

In fact, one of the students denied entrance traded pants with a thinner white student, making the pants seem even more “baggy,” and putting the dress code to a seemingly less difficult test.  The same bar faced with the same “baggy” pants…failed miserably.  The white student was admitted without incident.

There is more than one lesson to be learned from this story and little of it has to do with any specific bar in Chicago.  Some people walked away from this story thinking only that bars on Rush Street in Chicago have a propensity for discrimination against African-Americans through their dress codes.  And there’s evidence to support such a conclusion.  But let’s not though be so superficial and go deeper.

Here in The Mo’Kelly Report, it’s about looking beyond the obvious to examine a situation from a number of angles, to best learn from a particular set of circumstances.

The discriminatory nature of the Rush Street bars in question has less to do with the dress code itself and much more to do with its “racialized” application.  Meaning, it’s not the dress code, it’s the haphazard enforcement that’s the problem.  If it were determined that students, irrespective of color were denied entrance in violation of the dress code, all is well.  I simply don’t subscribe to the theory of dress codes being either “culturally insensitive” or “racially biased.”  Many came away from this story concluding or having their belief reinforced that dress codes are inherently racist against African-Americans.

I simply do not agree.

It may be true that a majority percentage of our African-American youth feature baggy or oversized clothing as part of their wardrobes.  But it is also true that private businesses are not public democracies.  It’s more than acceptable for a business to regulate the attire of its employees or even its customers.  To implement a dress code is not a priori racist or culturally insensitive, but a right of the business owner.

It is true that a disproportionate number of African-American males relative to other ethnicities “sag” or wear their pants below their waistline.  But it’s also true that as a business owner, I’m free to regulate (save race and gender) what is tolerated within the confines of my business.  Of course, such dress codes disproportionately impact the “population demographic,” but it is not inherently racist.  The moment White males who “sag” are granted admittance it is, but not a moment before.  Until that time, pull up your pants or patronize elsewhere.  Just because you have no good sense in terms of attire, it doesn’t mean I as a business owner must lower myself to meet your lack of standards.  You are free to spend your money elsewhere.  Such is the nature of a free market society.

No shirt, no shoes, no service…pretty much the same.

Night clubs have long disallowed jeans or t-shirts.  This is neither novel nor revolutionary in nature.  Here in the Los Angeles area, it’s very common for bars of various types and economic strata to forbid oversized, white T-shirts or any other attire which could be construed as gang paraphernalia.  Are the overwhelming majority of gang members in the Los Angeles area either Black or Latino?

Absolutely.

Is there an overwhelming amount of Black and Latino males who aren’t gang-affiliated yet dress in this popular manner?

Absolutely.

But citizens/patrons do not have a “right” to wear whatever they want into someone else’s place of business.  It’s not a public facility and therein lies the difference.

This is not to push aside the underlying intent behind the implementation of some of these dress codes.  I’m not naïve, I get it. But we as African-Americans must not confuse these issues.  Businesses don’t have a responsibility to accommodate anyone and everyone who may wish to spend money.  Being willing to spend money doesn’t automatically grant and guarantee one entrance.  Conversely, being turned away because a dress code offends one’s sensibilities doesn’t necessarily make it racist.  More times than not, it’s just good sense.

Standards are always good sense.

When businesses such as Mother’s cross the color line in the application of a dress code; by all means cast aspersion upon them.  At the same time, do not allow a singular instance such as this with the Washington University students to somehow placate the desire of some to scream racism over dress codes in general.  Dress codes are a good thing, ask the overwhelmingly African-American NBA.

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"Mo'Kelly...please be gentle"

“What had happened was…”  Allegedly comedian Katt Williams was filming a movie and during a break broke into somebody’s house.

Allegedly…

Yes, I guess during his meal break he decided to ride into town and rob someone.

How appropriate.  El DeBarge gets out, Katt Williams goes in…

Mo’Kelly can’t WAIT for the particulars.

From TMZ

Comedian Katt Williams has officially been charged with burglary and criminal trespassing by a magistrate in Coweta County, GA — his bond was set at $41,150.

Williams was arrested this morning, after cops say a man named Daniel Broach claimed the comedian broke into his home on Sunday night and stole $3,555 worth of jewelry and collectable coins.

Broach told cops Katt used a crowbar to break into his home, which is around 38 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Katt’s lawyer told us the whole thing is a sham — and is just the result of a dispute Katt had with a another man.

UPDATE: Katt is free to roam — we’re told he just posted bond.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0WPHit7VK

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MO’KELLY NOW HAS THE 911 CALL!

CLICK HERE

(Let’s just say it doesn’t seem like an “emergency”…seems more like a “domestic dispute”…and I’ll leave it at that.)

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El DeBarge

On October 26th, it seems that singer and Mo’Kelly Report favorite El DeBarge was released from prison, one year ahead of schedule.

Although Mo’Kelly has been inundated with emails as to whether Mo’Kelly will interview El, that purely is beyond Mo’Kelly’s control.  If El would like to come to the table and bury the hatchet and discuss his future music projects, Mo’Kelly would be more than happy to do so.  It’s an open invitation.

Don’t hold your breath folks, it’s highly unlikely that DeBarge’s handlers would allow him anywhere near the media in the immediate future.  And even if they did, The Mo’Kelly Report isn’t probably high on their list.  Se la vie…

The real question is what will be the next “news item” in relation to the future of El DeBarge.  Either way, Mo’Kelly will report it, both truthfully and thoroughly.  If El’s next “news item” is the release of a highly anticipated CD, you will find it here and likely promoted.  Musically Mo’Kelly has always been a tremendous fan of El and every other DeBarge.

Yet…

If the next El DeBarge “news item” includes either drugs, domestic violence and/or an arrest, Mo’Kelly will editorialize accordingly.  How El is next covered in The Mo’Kelly Report is purely up to him.  Mo’Kelly wishes him well and the open invitation stands.

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MEDIA ADVISORY

November 9, 2009

Former FAME Reverend will discuss Lawsuit Against Senior Pastor Dr. John J. Hunter

What: The Reverend Brenda Lamothe, formerly employed by the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles (FAME), will discuss the lawsuit she filed last week against Senior Pastor Dr. John J. Hunter in which she accused Dr. Hunter of coercing her into inappropriate sexual relations.

She will explain how Hunter convinced her that it was “God’s will” that she comply with demands for sex at the pastor’s church office and in hotels in Southern California, Virginia and North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges Lamothe was fired in 2009 after she decided to refuse Hunter’s continual sexual demands.

When: Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Press conference at 11:00 am.

Where:            Law offices of Rheuban & Gresen

15910 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1610

Encino, 91436

Who: Brenda Lamothe

Solomon E. Gresen, attorney for Brenda Lamothe

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Mr. Barbara McKinzie aka Cooty Booty

Evidently Cooter doesn’t care for Mo’Kelly’s movies…from Youtube service.

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ATTENTION

We have received copyright complaint(s) regarding material you posted, as follows:

• from Cooter, Mangold, Deckelbaum, & Karas L.L.P. about Babs & Cooter…a Love Story – mokellyreport
  Video ID: S8jBfgFRkr8

Please Note: Accounts determined to be repeat infringers will be terminated. Please delete any videos for which you do not own the necessary rights, and refrain from uploading infringing videos.

If you are unsure what this means, it is very important that you visit our Copyright Tips guide.

If you believe you have the necessary rights or authorization to post this content, you may file a counternotice. There may be severe legal consequences for filing a false or bad-faith notice. Please take the time to review appropriate copyright-related materials before deciding to submit a counternotice. You can find more information in our Help Center.

For your reference, a copy of this message can also be located in your Account Warnings page.

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Cooty Booty Publicity Still

All this means is that it’s on and crackin’ Coot.  If the video goes down, it will reappear elsewhere under a different account.  We can play this game all damn day.  But remember the longer you play, the more AKA has to pay (in fees.).

What readers should know is that Alpha Kappa Alpha’s money is now helping to pay for (among other things) is Cooter’s 34 ft. yacht named Impulsive.  Pretty aptly named.

Click HERE

It doesn’t cost Mo’Kelly anything to play.  Bring it on.  Or how about I remove the ONE frame which contains your law office?  Then whatcha gon’ do?!

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http://friendsoftheweepingivy.com

Alright, slumber party at Mo’Kelly’s is over!

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From MSN

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Morgan Freeman has settled a lawsuit related to a 2008 car accident that seriously injured him and a passenger, according to court records posted Thursday. Terms of the settlement were not released.

Demaris Meyer filed a federal lawsuit against the Academy Award-winning actor in February, claiming Freeman had been drinking the night of the accident last summer and was negligent when the car ran off the side of a rural highway near his Mississippi Delta home.

Full story HERE

RELATED: Morgan Freeman Lawsuit Papers

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Donnie Wade

From the Houston Chronicle:

A 20-year-old Phi Beta Sigma pledge at Prairie View A&M University underwent systematic hazing — including a strict bread-and-water diet, paddling and mandatory rigorous exercises — that intensified until it culminated in his death, a lawsuit filed by his parents states.

Donnie Wade II, a biology major studying to become a doctor, died Oct. 20 following a pre-dawn exercise session with a group of his pledge brothers, investigators said.

While the autopsy is not yet complete, Wade’s mother, Katrina, blames hazing for taking her only son from her.

“I will not rest until I am sure no other families will go through what we have,” she said.

Her husband, Wade I, is an associate pastor of the Dallas-area Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

$97 million

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed Friday in Dallas County, seeks as much as $97 million in damages from the national fraternity based in Washington, D.C., the pledge trainer, Marvin Jackson, and Prairie View A&M.

Full story HERE.

(Note: this comes 20 years almost TO THE DAY after the death of the Morehouse pledge in 1989.  We still have not learned our lesson.  Wade died October 20th…the following link to the Joel Harris story…October 20th, 1989.  I can only imagine what the Harris family is feeling given this emerging story.  Click HERE.)

From Prairie View A&M

Prairie View A&M Campus police will work in conjunction with the Hempstead police during the probe. Additionally, The PVAMU Office of Student Affairs is conducting a separate investigation, including examining alleged incidents of hazing. Wade was a prospective member of Phi Beta Sigma, a registered student organization.

Pending investigation results, Prairie View A&M President George C. Wright has suspended all membership intake process activities for all registered student organizations, indefinitely.

“The University is taking this situation very seriously.  It is imperative that we discontinue all fraternity and sorority membership intake activities until we receive a full account of events that led up to the death of Mr. Wade,” said President Wright. “The entire Prairie View A&M community is saddened by Donnie’s death. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during their time of bereavement.”

Grief counseling and assistance is available to university students, faculty and staff at the PVAMU Owens-Franklin Health Center.

RELATED:

Phi Beta Sigma Inductions Crystallize BGLO Debate

Guest Rebuttal – Phi Beta Sigma Inductions

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"Aw Damn Mo'Kelly...you got me"

UPDATE 11.9.09 – Rev. Lamothe to speak out to the media TOMORROW 11.10.09.  Click HERE

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Another EXCLUSIVE from The Mo’Kelly Report.

Mo’Kelly has THE lawsuit docs.

Click HERE!

Mo’Kelly told you about John Hunter…now he’s NATIONAL news!  Featured on ABC News tonight.  Looking for video to post now!  Remember, Mo’Kelly FIRST reported this story 10.16, HERE.

LA Times reports HERE

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Law Offices of Rheuban & Gresen: Controversial Los Angeles Clergyman Accused With Inflicting Years of Sexual Abuse and Harassment on Female Employee

Lawsuit Alleges Reverend Dr. John J. Hunter, Senior Minister of the First AME Church of Los Angeles, Forced a Female Employee Into 4 Years of Sexual Submission Then Fired Her When She Refused Further Abuse

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Encino law firm of Rheuban & Gresen filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court asking that Pastor Hunter and the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles “be held to account for years of sexual abuse and harassment suffered by Reverend Brenda Lamothe, Hunter’s Executive Minister at the time of her sexual abuse,” said Solomon E. Gresen, the attorney representing Reverend Brenda Lamothe.

In a 12-page complaint filed November 3, Reverend Lamothe detailed years of continuous pressure to provide her employer, Pastor Hunter, with sexual services at his whim. “The complaint exposes Pastor Hunter insistence it was ‘God’s will’ that she provide him sex on demand. Hunter claimed that providing him with continuous sexual ‘comfort’ was the only way Lamothe could fulfill her job duties and her ministry. Hunter said that he is a prophet and that God had revealed to him that Lamothe was to be his ‘everything’. Feeling scared and trapped, Reverend LaMothe reluctantly agreed to his incessant demands for sex,” said Solomon E. Gresen.

RELATED: Hunter Bans Rev. Lamothe From Church Over Bulletins

Background video on Rev. Brenda Lamothe

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