USD College Republicans
- All
- Climate Change/Global Warming
- Affirmative Action
- Freedom
- Medicare
- No Child Left Behind
- Economics
- Media
- Taxes
- Ridiculous!
- Trade
- Democrats
- Telecom
- The Courts
- Neo-conservatism
- Presidential Race 2008
- Libertarianism
- Earmarks
- Student Government Association
- Congress
- University of South Dakota
- State and Local Politics
- General
- Republicans
- Grassroots conservatism
- Iraq
- Education
- USD Political Science League
- Afghanistan
- SCHIP
- Subsidies
- Spending
- Health Care
- Social Security
- Africa
- Labor unions
- Political Philosophy
- Hyperion Oil Refinery at Elk Point
- Foreign Policy
- War on Terror
Much ado about nothing
Geno's Cheese Steaks in Philadelphia is coming under fire for a sign that says "This is America. When ordering, speak English."
-
Of course, the Left is bashing this Italian-American entrepreneur. However, one thing struck me as funny:
-
-
Camille Charles, a sociology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, testified that Vento's signs harken back to the "Whites only" postings of the Jim Crow era.
"The signs give a feeling of being unwelcome and being excluded," Charles said.
-
-
I see a hole in this logic. If the customer does not possess the skills to order in English, it can reasonably be concluded that he also cannot read the sign. If he cannot read the sign, then he won't know he's "unwelcome," or being "excluded."
-
I've discovered other "iniquities" that Vento has committed, but agree with him with regard only to this incident. I don't think it's out of the question to demand that one's employees be treated with the simple respect of being addressed in the common language of the United States.
-
Another exercise in political mountains out of insignificant molehills.
-
-Matt Hittle
Posted at 04:23PM Dec 16, 2007 by College Republicans in Ridiculous! | Comments[4]
Matt,
I understand what the "hole" is in the logic, but it doesn't matter what language it is said in. If you are correct, then all racial slurs in other languages are fine. Heck I can threaten to kill someone, as long as I do it in a language that they don't understand. The point being that it matters what is said, not what language it is in. Also there is a reasonable chance that they know of someone who does speak English and there native language, so it is not like they would find out.
Secondly, Americans are notorious for going to other countries on vacation and not speaking the native language.
Is it a molehill? yes, but not an insignificant one. It is in poor taste, and should not be on his sign. If the sign had said speak English please, then it would be completely different, but sadly he chose to be impolite.
Posted by Dan Smart on December 17, 2007 at 09:05 PM CST #
Dan,
Vento is the owner of a private business. He may conduct business in any way he chooses. He simply chooses to conduct business in English. He is not discriminating at all- if he refused bilingual people, then, yes, that'd be discrimination.
Instead, however, he welcomes everyone- so long as they have the simple ability to order in English. "One cheesesteak, no onions" seems simple enough...
He may be impolite, but politeness shouldn't be enforced by the government. The government needs to keep its nose out of this matter.
Posted by Matt Hittle on December 18, 2007 at 03:19 AM CST #
Thats right, he has every right to voice any opinion he wants, as does any person in this country. As do people who point out that that guy is a jerk. My point was that the sign was 1. hypocritical and that 2. The wording of the sign is petty, and could be easily conceived to be a sign of intolerance.
Also, as you mentioned, the sign is in English. So It isn't for people who can't speak English, cause they don't know what is said. It is strictly for those who speak English and another language. It is then attended to turn away those who speak another language and English.
I believe that Fox News, as usual, missed the real issue by a mile. It shouldn't be a matter of the U.S. Government filing suit against this owner. It should be those who felt discriminated against, if there were any, filing a complaint. An issue is taken from an issue about personal freedoms, and is changed over to an issue about immigration.
Posted by Dan Smart on December 18, 2007 at 12:02 PM CST #
You must keep in mind, though- citizens do not have the "freedom" of the "right" to walk into any private business.
Private businesses are just that- private. Of course, they want our business so they will rarely turn away a customer, but it must be remembered that we are given the privelage- not the right- to engage in a transaction with a private business.
Yes, the sign is in English. I think that's more of a symbol to those English speakers who frequent the establishment, letting them know that the business supports the speaking of English in daily transactions.
As far as I know, no one has charged Vento with discrimination. I don't know why they would, either. All they need to learn is "Cheese steak, no onions."
That's not too much to ask for, is it?
Posted by Matt Hittle on December 18, 2007 at 12:41 PM CST #