Prometheus 6

Where 40 years ago, blacks were afraid in crowds of whites, the opposite is true today. Repeated violence by a few black kids has colored the whole, the same way a few white rednecks earned a reputation for 1967 Birmingham. And while most people can judge the individual rather than the group — or maybe that's wishful thinking — Tower City's throngs of black kids were scaring away that most sacred shopper: the professional white woman....

Since the ban began, Kreiger has already received an "overwhelming response." Business has increased, families are returning, and customers are e-mailing praise for the change in atmosphere. "We're hearing that over and over and over again," she says.

Pragmatic Racism
At Tower City, banning black kids in the name of better business.
By Pete Kotz
Published: November 28, 2007

The guard stands at the bottom of the escalator in his trademark Smokey the Bear hat, wearing the dulled determination of one who does the unpleasant for a living.

Two young women descend from the upper floor. He asks for their IDs. They laugh anxiously, are-you-serious? expressions stamped on their faces. The guard just checked their IDs moments before, they tell him. But Smokey wants to see them again. There are rules, after all.

The scene is reminiscent of the old Soviet Union, where people were routinely asked for their travel papers. Yet this is 2007, Tower City mall, where the restrictions aren't meant to defend Communism. They're here to usher in the more brilliant colors of commerce.

In mall-speak, it's called the Parental Involvement Program, which essentially bans children under 18 from shopping after 2:30 p.m. unless they're accompanied by an adult. In practical terms, it might be better described as the We Gotta Get Rid of the Black Kids Program. And that's where we begin today's quandary.