Black Student Union ends Gasthaus Boycott

Nichali Ciaccio , 14.04.2004 18:01

The UW-Milwaukee student organization Black Student Union ended thier boycott of the Gasthaus bar and restaurant recently, after official apologies and letters of regret from UWM administraters.

The UW-Milwaukee student organization Black Student Union ended thier boycott of the Gasthaus bar and restaurant recently, after official apologies and letters of regret from UWM administraters. The official ending of the boycott resulted because "an agreement was made between the chancellor, vice chancellor, union directors and managers to work with BSU in creating a diversified campus," according to BSU president Toria Butler.

The boycott was a result of a disturbing event which occured earlier this year. Members of BSU, during a meeting break at the UWM union, were in the Gasthaus during a weekly kereokee event. The crowd--exempting the BSU members--was almost entirely caucasion.

One patron performed the song "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones--the lyrics of which (pasted below)are notoriously rascist. The performer also made a few rascist slurs in addition to the song. This, and the song lyrics presented on numerous tv screens, was done in full view of the crown.

After the song ended, BSU president Toria Butler took the microphone to express her anger at the open rascism of such a song being played in public university, where all students are supposed to feel welcome. The Gasthaus staff asked BSU members to leave, and when Nash asked for a refund, the manager crumpled her money up and dropped it, commenting "what do you expect?"

In response, BSU organized a boycott of the Gasthaus and demanded apologies from numerous UWM officials, including Scott Hoffland, director of Dining Services, and Scott Gore, director of the Union. Additionally, BSU demanded that dining services require some form of sensitivity training for its employees.

Though these requests were delayed beyond the BSU's original deadline, the administration ultimately acquiesed in the face of an escalating BSU campaign.

Numerous student organizations worked in solidarity with BSU and participated in the boycott, including the Student Labor Action Coalition. The apologies were presented at a meeting on Wednesday, April 7th, with the BSU, a member of AFSCME local 82 and a SLAC activist present.

While the apologies are a good and nescessary step, there is much work that needs to be undertaken to eliminate rascism at UWM and in Milwaukee. The BSU sees the gashaus incident not in isolation but as exemplary of a much larger phenomenon. Though no formal plans have as of yet been established, they intend on continuing a public awarness campaign to confront rascism on campus.

I feel that this is an example of how students--a traditionally repressed sector of society--can, by putting the slightest of public pressure on those who are very eager to avoid it, achieve social justice victories. If the BSU continues to confront rascism and acts in concert with other organizations, it could provide an excellent forum for an increase in progressive/radical political activity among UWM's generally apathetic student base.

The following is a message from the BSU, folling the lifting of the Gasthaus boycott.

The Boycott is Lifted

The Black Student Union has finally had its demands met in regards to the
discriminatory incident that happened at the Gasthaus about two months ago. BSU officers met with school officials on last Wednesday to discuss the problem.

After hours of deliberating the Black Student Union came out successful.
The Black Student Union would like to send out a special "Thank You" to all the students and student organizations ( we see you SLAC ) who came out to support the Black Student Union in its efforts. The Black
Student Union would not have been so successful without the support of these special students.

We would also like to send a "Thank You" out to our faculty and community
leaders for your support as well. We will have a chance to discuss what occurred on Wednesday in more detail this Wednesday April 14th at 12:00pm in the Multicultural Resource Center, located across from the Ballroom.


"Brown Sugar" song lyrics, by the Rolling Stones.

Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields,
Sold in a market down in New Orleans.
Scarred old slaver know he's doin' alright.
Hear him whip the women just around midnight.
Ah Brown Sugar how come you taste so good
(A - ha) Brown Sugar, just like a young girl should
A - huh.

Drums beating, cold English blood runs hot,
Lady of the house wond'rin where it's gonna stop.
House boy knows that he's doin' alright.
You should a heard him just around midnight.
Ah Brown Sugar how come you taste so good
(A - ha) Brown Sugar, just like a black girl should
A - huh.

I bet your mama was a tent show queen, and all her boy
Friends were sweet sixteen.
I'm no schoolboy but I know what I like,
You should have heard me just around midnight.

Ah Brown Sugar how come you taste so good
(A - ha) Brown Sugar, just like a young girl should.

I said yeah, I said yeah, I said yeah, I said
Oh just like a, just like a black girl should.

I said yeah, I said yeah, I said yeah, I said
Oh just like, just like a black girl should.