Posted on 12/14/2007 6:38:14 PM PST by NormsRevenge
PHILADELPHIA - A small sign that asked customers to order in English at a famous cheesesteak shop was never meant to be offensive, the shop's owner testified Friday at a hearing to decide whether the policy was discriminatory.
Joe Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks, defended his policy before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which filed the discrimination complaint.
"This country is a melting pot, but what makes it work is the English language," Vento told the commission. "I'm not stupid. I would never put a sign out to hurt my business."
Vento posted two small signs in October 2005 at his shop in a diverse South Philadelphia neighborhood, telling customers, "This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE 'SPEAK ENGLISH.'"
He said Friday that he posted the sign because of concerns over the debate on immigration reform and the increasing number of people from the area who could not order in English.
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.
No ruling is expected for at least two months, the three-member panel said.
After extensive publicity in 2006, the commission began investigating whether Vento violated a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing on the basis of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
In February, the commission found probable cause against Geno's Steaks for discrimination, alleging that the policy at the shop discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there.
Paul M. Hummer, an attorney for the commission, testified Friday that the sign is not about political speech, but about "intimidation," and that it suggested business from certain individuals was not wanted.
The hearing was held at the Arch Street Meeting House, given to the Philadelphia Quakers by William Penn in 1693. The building is billed as a symbol of "tolerance, equality and peace."
Verizon impressed the heck outta me the other day. I called them to get another line installed at our home and the voice said to “Press One if you need Spanish” in SPANISH.
Then it just went straight to an English speaking operator. They obviously know who butters their bread. :)
Think other companies will catch on? I doubt it.
Oh. Well, that's one way to look at it. I have heard that there are actually some people who have purchased 100 copies of this book at a time. Not retailers- just folks who are familiar with the subject matter and felt the need to buy 100 copies. I figured it was so that they could help bolster sales and spread the news to others about the subject. But, by your measure, they must need quite a bit of reinforcement! 
bah...no need to roll yer eyes at me.
The book will either stand on its own or it won’t...no need for me to artifically boost sales by buying 100 books.
As for “spreading the word”...anyone that says to me that Cook is innocent is not someone I even want to associate with, since I never know when they’re going to start puling tofu and foaming at the mouth in a rabid, liberal ecstasy of lecturing me on how the “system” is keeping a black man down.
Fry mumia....thats all that needs to be said :)
You should notice that nowhere did I say that others should or should not buy the book...just that I probably would not.
Besides, I’ve donated to the The Daniel Faulkner Educational Grant Fund in the past without needing to buy the book, and, as they say, “been there, done that, got the t-shirt (literally)”.
Nice talking at ya :)
You keep posting to me as if you feel the need to make a point. Why not write a book? Maybe someone will buy it.
Hmmm...touchy and sarcastic? Not a good combination. Ithink we’re done here before it gets nastier...after all, we do both agree on the main point, and who knows, I may buy the book someday :)
We were done a few posts back. Youre just now realizing it. Ciao.
unreal
I'm willing to be the odds are better than even that she's never held an honest job a day in her life.
LOL - I remember after one of the mob hits in the 80s, the newspaper said they found a "half-eaten" hoagie in the car of the slain mobster. People all around the Italian market were in an uproar laughing that it was "a clue where he had just been at!"
"Mayo or oil?"
"Cappicul' or salami?"
"Sarcone's bread or dat udder s^&*?"
I think it is offensive to talk out in public in a different language that most of us cannot understand.
It is like whispering. Find your spine, let’s stand up for this man.
it is discriminatory b ecause of the multiculturalists who think English, American is evil.
Everything else is good.
What we stand for is immoral and evil.
Yep. Wit?
Capisce?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.