Can a dress code be racist?

That's what some people are calling a Minneapolis bar's new clothing policy, KMSP-TV reported.

"Might as well just say, 'No black folks allowed,'" local Michelle Horovitz said. "It's ridiculous."

The policy, posted in Bar Louie's uptown Minneapolis location, bans a host of apparel on weekend nights, including "flat bill hats," "large chains," "long plain white T-shirts" and "excessively baggy clothing."

Image source: KMSP-TV

Observers seemed to agree that the policy was tacitly targeting black people.

"If you do not want African-Americans to frequent your establishment, then maybe you should just say that and not just break it down to the dress code," onlooker Imani Vincent told KMSP.

"Minnesota might be the nicest, healthiest, cleanest state in America, but we have huge issues as far as segregation, racism, systematic oppression — and people want to look the other way," Horovitz said. "This is not okay, and we're not going to patronize you if you don't change your policy."

The local station said that the manager of the uptown location claimed the policy came from the corporate office, but KMSP reported that no similar dress code was posted at a suburban Bar Louie location.

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