The response to this post illustrates Austin's latent racism. I've "braved" 6th street during relay weekends and frequent the very very very few bars that play "urban-rap" and have never encountered a problem. I have, however, been harrassed and groped by more frat boys and drunken, businessmen than I would like to admit. Crime in downtown Austin is nill compared to most metros. I also have been out with groups of native Texans who fear even entering "those bars." I know for a fact that the University of Texas lost a tremendous professor because he felt so isolated as an African American male. It's not just bars and thugs, Austin has an unspoken fear of black people--plain and simple--unless you're a rastafarian...then they'll embrace you as "weird."
Anya | Austin, TX | Report Abuse

I hate to be the one to say this, but it's the African-American community's own fault. I've lived here for 15 years and watched clubs geared towards African Americans come and go, and they always go for the same reasons. 1. The "Thug" mentality that alot of young men bring to the club runs off alot of business and brings alot of violence. Case in fact What used to be "The Roxy" switched to Urban-Rap music, fights started, windows were broken, people were hurt and business sank. The club went under very fast, and it was always packed, until the "thugs" showed up. There was a club next to the 6th street entrance to Emo's that tried the same thing, with the same results... Paradox on 5th was the most succesful dance club in Austin until they switched to an "Urban Format" as they called it. Guess what happened? Fights, drugs, broken stuff and business dropped off...Mid-Town Live on the east side finally burned down and alot of people were ticked off that the cops were happy about it, but they were happy because EVERY WEEK the responded to call after call after call there for drugs and fights. 2. More patron's hang out OUTSIDE the clubs geared to the African Americans than INSIDE. This was the case at all the "Urban" clubs I've seen come and go on 6th street. It seems that alot of the African American club goers would rather hang out outside the club with their friends and harrass everyone else on 6th street, than actually go into the club and have a good time. Until these things change you probably won't see a vibrant scene geared towards young African Americans, because why invest in something where you are guaranteed headaches,fights, lost patrons, drugs and more people outside your club socializing, than inside spending money. Try opening a club yourself here if you don't believe me. You'll be broke in no time. Until the Media Image of the "Cool to be a thug/gangsta" that we present to young Africn Americans is drastically changed, these problems will only continue.
Ronald | Austin, TX | Report Abuse