Club Dread

Am I wrong that it’s 2004? Have I slipped into some sort of alternate universe? That’s what it feels like reading Sherri Day’s recent NY Times article on the Harlem Club.
The Harlem Club is a private New York social society, created by Thomas Lopez-Pierre, for African-American and Hispanic professionals. When the idea was originally conceived, the club was to allow only male members. Men could become charter members for $5,000; for $2,500 they could become general members. But, as Day reports, “this club did not want just any moneyed men. Rap stars, Hollywood glitterati and professional athletes – what Mr. Lopez-Pierre labels the ‘ghetto-fabulous crowd’ – would not be welcome.” And, in the beginning, women could only join the Harlem Club as associate members if they were “35 or younger, unmarried, childless, college educated and willing to submit a head-to-toe photograph.”
When asked in a recent interview about the criterion for entry, Mr. Lopez-Pierre stated:
“Men have to be professional, preferably college educated. The ideal candidate, who is not college educated, can own car dealerships or maybe a McDonalds or be a very successful entrepreneur who has a proven track record of success. Maybe a recent college graduate, who while does not have anything in terms of accomplishments except for academic success based on his education, should have a bright future…that and $3,500 a year. Women have to be 21 to 39 years of age, college educated, single with no kids, and beautiful. She cannot be overweight in any way. Weight is a big issue. If she is too big, she will not be accepted. There is no height requirement.”
Intense criticism drove the Club to compromise a bit. Now, women who do not meet the physical requirements to become associate members can pay to become general members. The associate women are still, according to the website, required to be “beautiful women who are in great physical shape.”
Yee hah.
Is this for real? Do we seriously live in a world where people think this is acceptable? Not only is it wildly classist and segregating, but it’s insanely sexist and degrading.
Write these people an email and give them a piece of your mind. HarlemClubNYC@aol.com.