Blacks, Hispanics celebrated, so why not Whites, counter owners.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: A proposed “White Appreciation Day” that started off as a joke between the Hispanic owners of a barbeque restaurant in Milliken, Coloroado, is now slated to be held next month.
Edgar Antillon and Miguel Jimenez recently purchased Rubbin Buttz BBQ and on June 11 they intend to offer a 10 percent discount to all white customers and no one else, reported KUSA-TV of Denver.
The men told the local news outlet that they expect some receive backlash, and they realize there is a history of racism in the America.
“We have a whole month for Black History Month,” Antillon said. “We have a whole month for Hispanic Heritage Month, so we thought the least we could do was offer one day to appreciate white Americans.”
Weld County civil rights activist and community organizer Ricardo Romero emphatically disagrees with the notion that white Americans need further privileges.
“It’s a perpetuation of racism,” he stated. “It’s wrong. If you’re going to give a discount, give it to the whole community.”
According to Jennifer McPherson of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, there could be legal repercussions as well.
“If someone felt like they were being discriminated against, they could come to the civil rights division and file a complaint in our office and we would investigate that,” said McPherson.
Antillon told KUSA-TV that the discount is not meant to discriminate; rather, his hope is that it can bring people together. He also noted that he has been the target o racism in the past. Ideally, prompting the conversation will make people consider racial issues.
We’re all American, whether you came from a different country or you were born here,” Antillon said. “We’re all American.”
Antillon told the Denver news outlet that he might consider offering a discount to other racial groups, albeit the scenario is an unlikely one.
1 Comment
Love the idea because we all matter.