Last month marked the five-year anniversary of George Zimmerman's acquittal of a second-degree murder and manslaughter charge, after the 34-year-old shot and killed teenager Trayvon Martin in an incident that trapped the public consciousness for more than a year.
Following Trayvon Martin's death in February of 2012, protests erupted all across the country, with the media coverage at one point even overshadowing the ongoing presidential race. The 17-year-old's death was keenly felt across the world, but in Kansas, one man has chosen to remember Martin in the worst possible way.
Kansas bartender Alobar Bandaloop was in the middle of his shift at Buzzard Beach when he came across Mike Dargy, a security guard for Westport Security, operating out of Kansas. Bandaloop, who is black, said while he makes "1001 different drinks" he revealed that "never once has any drink like this crossed till last week".
Mike Dargy came up to him, and asked him for a "Travon Martini [sic]". Obviously, this isn't a real drink, but Bandaloop revealed that Dargy was kind enough to explain what was involved in this drink, and it's pretty disgusting.
"Then when he noticed the shock on my face, he decided to tell me recipe. One shot of vodka, watermelon juice, and it only takes one shot because it only takes one shot to put him down! The smug look on his face was one of the most punchable looks I’ve ever seen."
Bandaloop said that the manager on duty walked away "in disgust", while he himself refused to serve Dargy for the rest of the night. But that sick joke got the bartender thinking: if that's the kind of humour a security guard has, how safe could he really be in the community, considering what happened to Trayvon Martin?
"Herein lies the big problem: he’s paid by the neighborhood to walk around with a pistol and 'police' the area. This is a huge issue with me. Who can trust this man in any interaction with an African American? How can this man make sure any mixed cultures are 'secure'?"
Since posting early last week, the post has seen over 1,600 shares, and plenty more angry comments and reactions. Bandaloop says he got in contact with Dargy's employers, and was "complete brushed offed [sic]", but a later statement from the Westport Business Leave does imply that serious action has been taken.
"The allegation is currently under investigation by the security company, which has already put its employee in question on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. If true, it is reprehensible, and we will have zero tolerance for that type of behavior in this welcoming district."
Later updates say that Dargy has now been fired, but a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department confirmed that Dargy had been an officer with the department but noted that he had not worked there since 2016.
