Racism and the Rat Pack

Las Vegas is divided by a scar that runs through the middle of the valley.  It is known as the Union Pacific Railroad.  It runs north-south, creating the east side which holds the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street, and the West Side, home to Gerson Park and the Moulin Rouge.  One will often hear old-timers refer to the West Side, simply known as the Side, yet new-comers fail to recognize the significance as the Side is in the center of the valley, surrounding the downtown area.

Las Vegas of the 1950's and 60's was much the same as the rest of the country, a population divided by black and white.  The Las Vegas Strip was growing and large profits were being made through performances of that era's superstars.  The house bands performing behind these stars were often filled with black musicians who were not allowed on the east side of the tracks unless they were working.  Casino owners went so far as to build neighborhoods for the employees on the west side of the tracks.  This neighborhood, now the center of the valley, became known as the West Side, the wrong side of the tracks.  Fame and ability played no part in acceptance to the east side, as all blacks had to leave the area immediately after their shifts in the casinos. 

A strange dynamic began with the publicity of the Rat Pack, specifically Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.  Sammy, being black, was not allowed to stay in the hotels he was performing in and was forced to retire each night to the West Side, to stay with his people.  Again, no matter the fame or ability, black was black and must live with black.  This created harsh feelings among the group of performers, as Sammy was treated like an equal, however on a part time basis only.

The Moulin Rouge was built in 1955 and was advertised as the first fully integrated hotel.  It has weathered many storms over the years, going through multiple owners and closures, never fully attaining the grandiosity of the downtown hotels or those along the strip.  The Moulin Rouge mainly became known as the place the colored entertainers lived.  Its heyday lasted only six months, as it closed and the owners declared bankruptcy.  It is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places but damages from several fires and years of abuse have left it vacant and in rapid decay.

Hip is said to be timeless.  It is, especially when referring to the racial undertones and racist bent of the performances.  It can also be seen in the treatment of it's most famous performers, as seen in the treatment of Sammy Davis, Jr.