"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 Rodriguez.
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.
STOP IT!!! LOL! My thoughts exactly!!
And "Bob Kill."
I think that if an aggrieved special interest group wants to be taken seriously, it should avoid choosing someone named "Moo" as the spokesman.
Italians? fat with accents?
I can top that with a true story. Back in the 1960's a Houston company that sold metal building components, including corrugated sheet metal, put up a sigh. It pictured a sterotypical Mexican with his sombero and a donkey. The caption said, "Let us cover you with sheet". The sign had to come down!
How about stinky kraut? Sorry.
I was thinking more along the lines of pungent fermented cabbage dish of northern european orgins.
Crabby cabbage? 8<)
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