Hookah Station discriminates against minorities without explanation

By: Melissa Wurzer

Posted: 7/11/07

I have been extremely impressed by Texas A&M's first-rate academic environment and the incredible warmth of the Aggie community. Given the high regard in which I have come to hold this university, I was surprised and disheartened by the recent negative experience of one of my staff members.

On a Saturday evening several members of my staff attempted to enter the Hookah Station. The first four were permitted entry without question, but the fifth person, a Nigerian-American from Virginia, was told that the establishment was full. While he waited outside for someone to leave, he saw the bouncer let in a group before anyone had exited. He again tried to enter and was denied. When he asked why, the bouncer remained silent. At this point our group realized what was going on, and we confronted the bouncer and asked to speak to his manager. He remained silent. Every person in our group was permitted to enter and exit the establishment freely, except for this particular staff member, who had not been drinking and was not causing any problems. I entered the Hookah Station and found the manager on my own, and when I spoke to him about the issue he was not apologetic and showed no intention to reprimand the bouncer's behavior.

After speaking to the police on the street about the matter and finding that there was nothing they could do, we dejectedly returned home. The staff member who had been turned away was hurt and embarrassed by the incident, and the rest of our group was angry and dismayed. The prejudice practiced by the Hookah Station should not be tolerated by the community at a world-class institution such as Texas A&M.

Melissa Wurzer
Duke University Talent Identification Program
Texas A&M On-Site Coordinator