I'm not surprised. Dressed like that, he looks like a thug. A roomier cut would have made all the difference. Because it's all about the vibe you send out.
I'm not one to mince my words, so here goes: When you have the face and the physique of a warrior, like most black people, you need to soften that image by dressing like a grown man and hiding your muscles. You want the outfit to scream RESPONSIBLE RESPECTABLE ADULT. A tightly-fitting suit makes you look like a 'military-age male', as scientists call it. The human subconscious then joins the dots and the primeval alarm bells are triggered.
I'm not white, so I have the same problem, and I have to be extra careful. So, no offence.
As a further illustration, picture that Blue Loafers bloke in a tightly-fitting suit, and wearing a knuckle-duster to boot. The staff at Charvet would burst out laughing. And let him in. Because he's tiny and looks non-threatening, whichever way he's dressed.
I'm convinced that some plain speaking would help ease tensions in our communities. Too many things are left unsaid, and left to fester. 'Street wear', as it is called, only makes it worse for everyone. That, incidentally, is why Malcolm X dressed his followers in suits.
