Posted on 09/29/2006 6:33:21 AM PDT by hoosierboy
The CEO of Hacienda Restaurant met with concerned citizens Thursday night to discuss a recent billboard campaign. The ads were removed after complaints they were insensitive to Mexicans.
"I wish we hadn't done it. Like I said before I apologize," Hacienda CEO Bob Kill told the group.
Kill says he's sorry this billboard was ever put up.
"These stereotypes that we are sombrero wearing, taco wielding people who break pinatas. We are professionals people who have made so many positive contributions to this country," said Elias Moo of Notre Dame.
The billboards sparked complaints from local Mexicans who say they felt they were the target of the ad.
"I did see the billboard when it was up and was appalled to say the least, because it does seem like a total lack of sensitivity," said Notre Dame student Rebecca Rodriguez.
Kill says he has more than 150 Mexican workers at his Hacienda restaurants, workers he doesn't want to offend, workers, he says he tries to help.
"We are trying to help our Hispanic workers out with language, which is the biggest drawback they have is trying to learn to speak English."
"A lot of the things he said today did sound sincere, and a lot of them sound like adequate responses, but I do think more can be done and I am anxious to see how committed he does stay," said Rodriguez.
"I think the dialog was started and that was the first step in the right direction," Moo said.
OOOHHH its so offensive and the company caved. If it was a french restaraunt and had a guy in a beret and a silly moustache would the french complain?? If they had an Irish pub post a billboard of a guy wearing kilts would the irish complain??? If they had a chinese restaraunt with chinese people on a billboard wearing traditional chinese clothing would the chinese complain??? NO!!!!! Freaking cowards!!!
Where's Pedro?
(for I-95 travelers)
silly people! you can't use stereotypes on protected people - only white christian bible thumpers!
There's one of those billbords on Highway 41 just outside of Evansville and I have to admit I found it to be a little offensive. I'm about as Anglo as they come.
Are you kidding as soon as any stereotypical ad went up some group of Offended Ethnics would crawl out of the woodwork to tell us how horrible it was?
People seem to get offended over everything today. The great liberal legacy; cry about everything and you will get anything you want. Appeasement at it's finest. This is sickening.
How about Lonestar Steakhouse? Stereotyping Texans as Cowboys.....They'll be SOOOOOO offended.
In other words......THEY ARE INVITING YOU TO THEIR RESTURANTS!!! So offensive...
According to the Leftists.....We must celebrate diversity, while NEVER admitting that there are any differences between people...
I thought they made their own at home.
Elias Moo.
Wow.
As an American of German ancestory I demand that the name sour kraut be changed to something less offensive.
Tacos.....or Mexicans?
"Kill says he has more than 150 Mexican workers at his Hacienda restaurants, workers he doesn't want to offend, workers, he says he tries to help.
"We are trying to help our Hispanic workers out with language, which is the biggest drawback they have is trying to learn to speak English."
If the 'Hispanic' workers are here legally, shouldn't they already KNOW how to speak English? What about if they are here as temporary guest workers, are they required to know English?
Elias Moo.
Don't have a cow Elias.
LOL - do they not know that "Senor" doesn't mean "Senior"? Or is the "Senor Special" just for men. If so, where are the feminists shrieking discriminaton!?
That's funny!
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