U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, has joined the chorus of voices asking for a swift and thorough inquiry into the Chicago nightclub incident in which six black students were turned away from the door, ostensibly because of a “baggy jeans” policy. But Clay and others say the incident appears to smack of racial discrimination.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other federal law enforcement officials, Clay wrote:

“In this day and age, it is imperative that action be taken to rebuke those in our midst who continue discriminatory practices and policies. As the home of the first African American President, Chicago’s reputation ought not be desecrated by the illegal and immoral conventions of the (nightclub).”

Clay said he was standing behind the students, who have filed a formal complaint with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and is urging a “thorough and timely inquiry.”

“Long has the battle been waged against racial discrimination, and I applaud the students of Washington University for their perseverance in the pursuit of justice,” Clay wrote.

Here are the complete excerpts from the letter, which were provided to me in a release from Clay’s office:

“On October 17, 2009, six students from Washington University experienced apparent racial discrimination at The Original Mother’s Restaurant & Nightclub in Chicago, Illinois. After having reached a group deal with Mother’s, all 200 Washington University students in attendance gained admission to the restaurant with the exception of six African American males, two of whom serve in high-ranking positions in student government, the organizers of the event.

These six students, who included the class’s Internal Vice-President and Treasurer, were refused admission by management for wearing “baggy jeans,” a reported violation of the establishment’s policy. Upon hearing this, previously admitted white students displayed the even “baggier” pants they were wearing to the management. The 6 black students offered both to change their clothes and show proof of enrollment at the University in order to gain admission, just at their colleagues had. These efforts proved futile, as the management declared the young men would still be refused entry.

Regis Murayi, Senior Class Treasurer and one of the six young men refused admittance, later traded pants with a white student. It should be noted that the white student is significantly shorter than Mr. Murayi, causing the pants to appear even “baggier” on him. The white student then returned to the bar and was admitted by the same manager who had refused Murayi. Such an example solidifies that this event was not simply an exercise in business policy, but rather an incident of racial intolerance. Subsequent research by the students revealed 8 informal complaints, by previous patrons, of racial injustice at the very same establishment, dating all the way back to 2005.

In this day and age, it is imperative that action be taken to rebuke those in our midst who continue discriminatory practices and policies. As the home of the first African American President, Chicago’s reputation ought not be desecrated by the illegal and immoral conventions of Mother’s.

Mr. Murayi has filed a formal complaint with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and I stand beside him in urging a thorough and timely inquiry into the event in question. Long has the battle been waged against racial discrimination, and I applaud the students of Washington University for their perseverance in the pursuit of justice.”

The Grade is the St. Louis region’s premier blog on education and child welfare. To read other recent posts, go to www.stltoday.com/thegrade.