Karaoke Forums

Friend or F.O.E.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008, just days before the birthday of  Mr. Martin Luther King Jr. some friends and I decided to attend the Eagles Club in downtown Clarksburg for some fun and karaoke.  We arrived approx 8pm and were let in by what seemed to be a very nice woman.  My fiancée, my friend and I walked through the bar area towards the back where the entertainment was set up.  We grabbed a table and began to mingle with the crowd and entertainers.  Shortly after our arrival we were approached by the karaoke hosts advising us that there was a problem.  Now we thought that the karaoke had been cancelled or there was some change in the schedule.  The news we received was more grim and shocking than I could have ever expected.  Standing in disbelief my fiancée and I were advised that our “black friend” was not allowed in the establishment, it is their “Presidents Rule”.   Trying to maintain our composure while expressing our displeasure with this idea, the man approached.  This man whom I am assuming is the manager began to advise us that “it’s not his rule, but it is the rules”.  After a brief exchange of words with this cretin he backed off of his “rule” of no blacks allowed and told us that if a member signed “him” in and took responsibility for “him” that “he” could stay.  We told him that we would not support a business that practices antiquated thinking and breeds racism and we left without further incident.  Now even though they were going to allow my very good friend to stay (more than likely to avoid a lawsuit) it is quite unbelievable that in 2008 in the good ole USA that racism and bigotry is so prevalent.  It is appalling to me that each and every single member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles supports this thinking by paying their dues every single year.  I think a serious inquiry by the city, county, and state needs to occur.  Apparently the Fraternal Order of the Eagles does judge a man by the color of his skin and not by the content of his character.  The Fraternal Order of the Eagles can be reached at 304-622-7231 or in person at 124 W Pike St Clarksburg, WV 26301.  I would hope this “order’ would be inundated with phone calls and written letters from the general public. If we as a nation are going to survive this type of thinking needs to be destroyed.  Unfortunately just days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day I realized that racism is alive and well right here in Clarksburg, WV.


J. T. Miller


this is the letter submitted to every local media outlet in my area and also to the NAACP and the ACLU.

I had that same situation while in the military. Only thing is it was a totally civilian club. It just so happened the black guy was just back from Nam. We also has 2 Navy seals just back. We  came unglued. Two marines in uniform joined us.

HE STAYED!!!!

Off Subject... Went up and got aquainted with our new security guy. He was a Navy Seal for 6 years..

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right and they did offer for him to stay, but I refuse to leave one single penny in an establishment that would even mention that.  its absolutly appalling.

I would wind  up in jail if that happened to me again.

BTW I have worked other private  clubs etc Dont like their BS one bit and wont do them anymore. Take that back I have done a couple of private parties and weeding receptions at Eagles clubs and were very pleasureable experiences. It depends upon the personal politics going on.

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yeah I am a 911 operator so I had to make sure that I didnt go too far.  but i most certainly had to be calmed down.

Wow, that is amazing. It's hard to believe that an incident like that can still happen today. Racism is ugly and ignorant. Information about this incedent needs to get out to the public and into the media. It's difficult for me to comprehend this, thanks for sharing it with us.

Well I guess I would have done the same thing and left as well. Make sure your community knows what kind of place the Eagles club in your town is.

[glow=blue]I agree...it is wrong and what a let down that such a business with a respected name should behave in such this way. I would also let people know of their behavior.[/glow]

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I have seen such incidence, but in a movie. Man, such thing still happen in the US even to this very day? That suck big time.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I would most definately get a hold of the news stations and let them know what happened.  You should be able to find an e-mail or something on their web sites.

I'm actually in a sociology class right now that has the main focus of race and ethnicity.  I'm thinkin I wanna print this topic out and take it in to show my professor.  

I think that I would've done the same thing too.  I would make it known to the whole community of their close mindedness!

unfortunately, Private membership clubs can exclude ANYONE that they want.

Men's clubs do that with access to women.

While we may not like it, a privately held and non-publicly funded business can do what it wants.

I think a boycotting of the club with a newspaper or even TV reporter reporting the incident of a peaceful pickett line that announces to all that blacks are not welcome visitors or members of the local Eagles' club.

Yeah, it would be a nightmare for 'em!

10-13 years ago i played 2 Eagles clubs at the same time.  Same deal.

Discrimination only exists if your are white, black, red, yellow, brown or any combination of these.

I posted this back in November and Yes, it was also an Eagles Club,

"Had something similar, but worse.  I have scaled back from the place I KJ at.  used to do 3 shows a week. Too much in trying to keep a fulltime job. And the place is an hour drive from home.  I cut back to 2 nights.  Then I had a chance to do Sat. nights in my home town at a local civic club.

Had been there about a month when one of my regulars ( and good friend) and her boyfriend from the out of town club came up to see me.  They are black.  Within 20 min. half the place emptied.  One of the "officers" told me next time to "let him know ahead of time." Shocked  I asked, "What the hell are you gonna do? hang a sign out front?"  That night when I packed up I told them I wouldn't be back.  If I knew they had that type of ancient attitude, I wouldn't have started in the first place.

Now down to just doing one night a week.  Have recently bought a house and need the xtra time off for remodeling.

Also won't work for a bar that decides who sings and who doesn't just because they sound bad.  At my main club we have a young man of about 35 who is basically "retarded" if I may use that word.  He reads very well; but everything is monotone.  No singing.  When he finishes a song, everyone claps."

Kelly [/quote]

Love, music and many other things do not recognize boundaries, borders, ethnic backgrounds or color of skin. Those that profess a difference are immature and still display the the traits of megalomania.

For we have lived many lives as many races and to retard back to these decadent mores do nothing for spiritual growth or progress.

I am a shepherd. Not a judge but a light. Not religious but very spiritual.. I am a Wiccan.

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Can't we just get along and celebrate our differences? After all we are all GODS children.

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Man Must Know His Limitations -Clint Eastwood

Way to celebrate the differences of those who don't believe in god.

Gee... and you would think, it is 2008. I can completely understand your actions mcgee.

quick update.  all the local media is covering this now.  the Eagles Club secretary confirmed that they usually ask black people to leave because of policy.  Now the Club is claiming that it was a simple problem of the man not having a membership.  the Karaoke host interviewed with the news station and corraborated my story.  Unbelievable.

WOOHOOO!  Excellent. One club at a time. Thanks for being vocal about it.

K