Music festival with race-based pricing scheme gets ROASTED by social media

Racism is a scourge, and only the perpetrators themselves tend to disagree with that fact.

We, as Americans, are created equal…It’s that simple.  You are born unto this great nation with opportunity splayed out before you, ready to be harvested by the strong willed and talented.

Yes, there have been some might mishaps along the way – instances in which we have strayed from the path and institutionalized hatred and bigotry in shameful ways.  We have endured slavery, segregation, discrimination, and just plain un-American behavior over the course of our history, but recognizing that we had a problem is always the first step to finding a solution.

In the year 2019, however, we have all but kicked this habit to the curb – at least when it comes to our daily interactions with one another.  There are still pockets of hatred, certainly, but thanks to the power of the internet and our our own goodwill we have been able to target and shame those who continue to espouse such hateful beliefs.

Now, as the pendulum swings again, reverse racism is beginning to rear its ugly head, and Americans aren’t standing for it.

The AfroFuture music festival in Detroit has been forced to reverse their policy of charging white people double the price for tickets, after the ticketing website Eventbrite warned that they do not allow discriminatory pricing structures.

The festival, set to take place August 3rd, was initially offering different ticket prices based on the race of the attendee. For white people, or “non-persons of color,” early bird tickets cost $20, compared with $10 for people of color. For those planning on buying tickets closer to the event date, white people were asked to pay $40 compared with $20 for people of color.

One artist has already canceled their appearance at the event, explaining that the ticket pricing scheme was created “out of spite”.

Twitter users were equally angry.

Way to go Tiny Jag for pulling out of that racist music fest big respect ✊? #afrofuturefest

— Justin Lilley (@justinlilley54) July 7, 2019

Bi-racial kids at the front of #afrofuturefest like pic.twitter.com/ocvuLUjQLX

— The HaterNation (@TheHaterNation) July 7, 2019

#AfroFutureFest. Let’s play spot the racist, obviously the organisers of this event where they charge people different price dependent on the colour of their skin. Prepare yourself for court proceedings.

— LonelyDad (@richysdagod) July 7, 2019

Looks like #AfroFutureFest was forced to change their ticket pricing scheme after @eventbrite told them their event would be removed if they didn't, as it is against their terms of service to charge different rates based on race.

The event coordinators claim it's "for safety."? pic.twitter.com/pJTtEMJ6ju

— Thor's Beergut (@StephenRowe0) July 8, 2019

@tinyjaguar thank you for taking a stand against #afrofuturefest. The price practice in place will set a bad precedent that will only cause hate and further division. You made a new fan. Your music is great! I live in Detroit and can’t wait to see you preform live!

— Celtic Stag (@Celtic_Stag) July 6, 2019

Eventbrite has claimed that the pricing structure was in clear violation of their terms of service.