Posted on 12/19/2005 8:53:31 AM PST by John Filson
Sunday, October 9, 2005
MASON, Ohio (AP) A tavern owner vows he won't take down a window sign that declares, "For Service, Speak English."
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission ruled Thursday that the sign at the Pleasure Inn violates state discrimination laws and creates an affront to Hispanics.
But tavern owner Tom Ullum said the sign is meant to be tongue in cheek.
"We get Mexicans in here all the time, and I don't discriminate," said Ullum, who has owned the tavern for 21 years.
Ohio law says it is unlawful for any proprietor of a place of public accommodation to deny the full enjoyment of the accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry.
The commission said the English-only rule serves no purpose other than to discriminate against non-English speaking individuals.
Ullum could be ordered to pay for advertisements about nondiscrimination, and his staff could be ordered to undergo diversity training or cultural sensitivity training.
Ullum is reviewing the issue with his attorney and has nine days to file a motion with the commission asking it to reconsider. If he does, the commission will hold a hearing on Oct. 27 at Cincinnati City Hall.
Mason is about 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Ohio law says it is unlawful for any proprietor of a place of public accommodation to deny the full enjoyment of the accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry.
Ain't no white folks on dat dere Commission!
Except for Goulash. It looks the same in English. =;^)
Tastes the same too!
How about "Budweiser"?
I'm not talking about Budweiser. I'm talking about beer.
Good point. I correct my post to read "Guinness" then.
I emailed both of the authors of the newspaper article asking them how members of the Commission were selected. I pointed out that there were no white members on the commission. They each responded saying that it would be interesting to do a story on the makeup of the commission and the appointment process. We'll see.
Just like years ago when I was getting my DL renewed and while waiting in line I look up to see a sign that says:
If you can not read, verbal testing is on Tuesday & Thursday from 3pm-6pm.
I asked who came up with that idea when I got to the counter and the answer was...
The politicians here in Austin.
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