Man asked to leave La Ronde for pot-inspired Bob Marley shirt

Honestly, when I think of Bob Marley and Jamaica, I think of marijuana leaves. I really don't see the issue. It's not even showing him in the act of drug use, so I don't get it.

Edit: maybe I'm just kind of a hippie.

Lame way to play the race card. I see white kids wearing Bob Marley shirts too, not for black pride, but for weed pride. To suggest a shirt with pot leaves is promoting racial pride is pretty ridiculous.

I still think it's lame that the park would give anyone crap over it, but suggesting that it's racially motivated is lame.

Does the park have a published dress code? According to the article they do. No matter what your thoughts on Bob Marley or marijuana, it's still a controlled substance in most areas therefore the shirt is promoting an illegal activity.

OK, Brunaud, you tried to push the envelope, you got called on it. Don't turn around and cry that you're an innocent victim.

^ I think the fact they gave him the opportunity to put it inside out is fair enough. He obviously refused and was asked to leave.

If you're on their property and they make a request and provide a solution to keep them happy - and also keep you on property, I think that's fair enough and the guy is in the wrong, but he fancied abit of a protest. Playing the race card is pretty dumb here also.

RatherGoodBear said:
No matter what your thoughts on Bob Marley or marijuana, it's still a controlled substance in most areas therefore the shirt is promoting an illegal activity.

But it isn't really. He's not using it in the picture. Now, if wearing the leaves of a plant on your head as a hat was an illegal activity, or if having a picture of someone engaging in said activity was illegal, I might buy that.

I completely understand where you're coming from (and I think playing the race card is lame as hell), but I'm seeing the coin from both sides.

I have one word/song title for this whole fiasco: Exodus.

P.S. If the only thing that comes to mind when Marley is mentioned is marijuana, I think the man's true message might have been lost on some...

But it isn't really. He's not using it in the picture. Now, if wearing the leaves of a plant on your head as a hat was an illegal activity, or if having a picture of someone engaging in said activity was illegal, I might buy that.

I also don't find that shirt "offensive". But, it turns out that it's not my standard or yours that matters. It's the park's standard. If, by that standard, the shirt is offensive, then you get to turn it inside out or leave.

What if the park did this?

1. Be very specific in advance what is and is not allowed
2. Have a disclaimer that says "Our decision is final"
3. Offer this guy a locker for his shirt (park keeps the key until he leaves)
4. Offer him a free "LaRonde" t-shirt to wear for the day

Of course, the whole situation would be avoided if park guests would show a little consideration about what they wear in a park where kids are present. I was at Kings Island a few weeks ago, and just shook my head at the "legal" yet classless shirts I saw all day.

If the only thing that comes to mind when Marley is mentioned is marijuana, I think the man's true message might have been lost on some...

When Marley is mentioned, I think of the wonderful food at Universal Studios. And shooting a Sheriff.

rollergator said:

P.S. If the only thing that comes to mind when Marley is mentioned is marijuana, I think the man's true message might have been lost on some...

Didn't say it was the only thing, but there's a definite association there.

buckeye brad said:
Of course, the whole situation would be avoided if park guests would show a little consideration about what they wear in a park where kids are present. I was at Kings Island a few weeks ago, and just shook my head at the "legal" yet classless shirts I saw all day.

Or if parents wouldn't take their kids to places where they could be exposed to "classless" t-shirts. I'm not going to choose what to wear because someone else may approve/disapporove.

LOL Clint and Josh...I was in NO way trying to "call anyone out". infinitely more along the lines of trying to stress that Bob Marley, aka the Lion of Judah, was preaching peace love and harmony with your fellow man. The marijuana is utilized as a sacrament in the Rastafarian religion, not entirely unlike Christians using "the bread and the wine".

Bob Marley was a man, but his sphere of influence was great, and the world a better place for him having been a part of it.

I'm not going to choose what to wear because someone else may approve/disapporove.

Which is why parks and other privately owned businesses reserve the right to do what was done at La Ronde.

Bob Marley was a man, but his sphere of influence was great, and the world a better place for him having been a part of it.

Especially CityWalk (Seriously, I loved the restaurant there!).

Tek - and I have absolutely no issue with a park, business, mall whatever doing what La Ronde did.

Oh, I know, I wasn't trying to imply anything other than you made a good point, and that's the reason behind the park's policy.

If the dress code is important policy for the park, the turn style ops should have been trained or knowledgeable of it at least.
I think someone complained and it got noticed...

I suspect that is the case for a number of parks with a number of policies. Policy is on the books so if someone complains, the park can enforce it if they want to. If no one complains or the park otherwise doesn't want to enforce the policy in any given case, they don't. Certain policies often look good on paper but turning away actual customers with cash in their hands in another story (particularly when there is an element of "eyes of the beholder" to the policy).

I agree with Gator. It's a shame that when some people think of Marley, pot is the first thing that comes to mind. I don't really blame them though; look at the Marley merchandise.

I'm not even convinced pot is bad (never smoked it, never had a desire to), but there's no getting around that the park is well within its right to decide it's not in good taste to wear a shirt like that. Even in Canada. :) It's just lame that it's being made a race issue. I don't even know any racist Canadians. Go play hockey, eh?

Marley made some great music, no doubt. I'm not sure I understand how there's an instant association with getting toked up (ditto for anything from Jamaica). I personally associate that culture with these Dave Matthews Band hippies that follow him all over the place. :)