By Valerie D. Lockhart
SUN EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PUBLISHER
A mob gathered around Rochelle Allen yelling insults, as she pleaded with the Redford
Township Site Committee during a meeting held last month to approve her plan to open
Fancy Lingerie Plus, a intimate apparel shop catering to full figured women, across from
City Hall.
Fancy Lingerie Plus would join over a dozen similar shops operating in the metro Detroit
area, such as Lane Bryant, Lil More Than A Handful, Pricilla’s, Avenue and others.
According to statistics, about 62 percent of women in the U.S. are size 12 and up.
Despite demand for such a store, one by one, angry residents stood up and
voiced their disapproval.
“Has anyone checked the website of this business for its contents?” asked Kathy
Phillips, a Redford resident. “This is a specialty store and the location is totally wrong.”
Soft porn, low quality graphics and several misspelled words such as “hosiery”
appear on Fancy Lingerie Plus’ website, raising eyebrows and tempers.
“We don’t want you here,” shouted the angry mob.
Leading the crowd was Redford Township Supervisor Roger Miles Handy II.
“Take that to 8 Mile. We don’t want your type of traffic here,” he allegedly
yelled.
“What do you mean my type of traffic? I assume it's the color of my skin," said
Allen, who is African American. “I believe this violated my civil rights, and they
discriminated against me.”
Allen plans to file a discrimination lawsuit against Redford Township, claiming the attack
was racially motivated.
But, are Allen’s claims unfounded, and is she playing the race card?
The card is sometimes played by some seeking to blame their losing position on race. O.
J. Simpson successfully used it when presenting Mark Fuhrman’s racist past
during his criminal trial. Georgia Representative Cynthia McKinney played the race card,
when she hit a U.S. Capitol police officer at a security checkpoint then claimed
to be a victim of "racial profiling". And, former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms
played it in his campaign, when he ran an ad showing a black man taking a white
man's job to criticize racial quotas.
There are many legitimate cases involving racial discrimination that are viewed as
insignificant or go unpunished, because of those who make false claims.
Although I am not a mind reader, it doesn’t take one to see that Handy was likely
referring to the soft porn on Allen’s website.
With 8 Mile being home to several strip clubs, perhaps businesses catering to the
adult entertainment market would better prosper in that area. In essence, Handy was
probably saying, “Take your type of business to 8 Mile with the other porn and
strip clubs.”
Businesses are a reflection of their owners. If the presentation is poor, then on-
lookers are likely to gain an unfavorable first impression.
Instead of playing the race card, deal yourself a new hand. Present full figure
women in a respectful manner - free of fishnet body suits and peek-a-boo bras.
Then, you’ll not only be able to play in the game, but can win the game as well.
SUN EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PUBLISHER
A mob gathered around Rochelle Allen yelling insults, as she pleaded with the Redford
Township Site Committee during a meeting held last month to approve her plan to open
Fancy Lingerie Plus, a intimate apparel shop catering to full figured women, across from
City Hall.
Fancy Lingerie Plus would join over a dozen similar shops operating in the metro Detroit
area, such as Lane Bryant, Lil More Than A Handful, Pricilla’s, Avenue and others.
According to statistics, about 62 percent of women in the U.S. are size 12 and up.
Despite demand for such a store, one by one, angry residents stood up and
voiced their disapproval.
“Has anyone checked the website of this business for its contents?” asked Kathy
Phillips, a Redford resident. “This is a specialty store and the location is totally wrong.”
Soft porn, low quality graphics and several misspelled words such as “hosiery”
appear on Fancy Lingerie Plus’ website, raising eyebrows and tempers.
“We don’t want you here,” shouted the angry mob.
Leading the crowd was Redford Township Supervisor Roger Miles Handy II.
“Take that to 8 Mile. We don’t want your type of traffic here,” he allegedly
yelled.
“What do you mean my type of traffic? I assume it's the color of my skin," said
Allen, who is African American. “I believe this violated my civil rights, and they
discriminated against me.”
Allen plans to file a discrimination lawsuit against Redford Township, claiming the attack
was racially motivated.
But, are Allen’s claims unfounded, and is she playing the race card?
The card is sometimes played by some seeking to blame their losing position on race. O.
J. Simpson successfully used it when presenting Mark Fuhrman’s racist past
during his criminal trial. Georgia Representative Cynthia McKinney played the race card,
when she hit a U.S. Capitol police officer at a security checkpoint then claimed
to be a victim of "racial profiling". And, former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms
played it in his campaign, when he ran an ad showing a black man taking a white
man's job to criticize racial quotas.
There are many legitimate cases involving racial discrimination that are viewed as
insignificant or go unpunished, because of those who make false claims.
Although I am not a mind reader, it doesn’t take one to see that Handy was likely
referring to the soft porn on Allen’s website.
With 8 Mile being home to several strip clubs, perhaps businesses catering to the
adult entertainment market would better prosper in that area. In essence, Handy was
probably saying, “Take your type of business to 8 Mile with the other porn and
strip clubs.”
Businesses are a reflection of their owners. If the presentation is poor, then on-
lookers are likely to gain an unfavorable first impression.
Instead of playing the race card, deal yourself a new hand. Present full figure
women in a respectful manner - free of fishnet body suits and peek-a-boo bras.
Then, you’ll not only be able to play in the game, but can win the game as well.
COMMENTARY
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DETROIT NATIVE SUN
Rochelle Allen and Leo Snage, Jr., building owner, stand in front of the picture window at the future
home of Fancy Lingerie Plus that was shot out following a hostile site committee meeting in Redford
Township. Allen claims the attack was racially motivated.
home of Fancy Lingerie Plus that was shot out following a hostile site committee meeting in Redford
Township. Allen claims the attack was racially motivated.
ENLIGHTENING THE COMMUNITY
OCTOBER 2008