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JustAnotherGen

(31,683 posts)
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:35 PM Mar 2015

In My Town . . . White History Month Sign



First - I didn't realize that White History month was in April - but - remember this? Same town: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014501452

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2015/03/white_history_month_sign_stirs_up_flemington.html
The sign in the deli window says, "CELEBRATE YOUR WHITE HERITAGE IN MARCH, WHITE HISTORY MONTH


Jim Boggess, proprietor of Jimbo's Deli on Main at 22 Main St., says, "No matter what you are -- Muslim, Jewish, black, white, gay, straight -- you should be proud of what you are. I shouldn't have to feel bad about being white."

But a neighbor and former customer, Bhakti Curtis, who is bi-racial, doesn't accept that. He said the sign, is "mocking Black History Month," especially the way the T was crossed in "WHITE." The cross piece was not right at the top, it was lower down, in a style used by the Ku Klux Klan and other white-power groups, Curtis said. That cross piece of the T has since been broadened to make it a more traditional, if top-heavy, capital T.

On March 3, Curtis saw the sign, told Boggess it offended him, but got no satisfaction. So he filed a complaint with the Flemington police. Detective Sgt. William Svard said Cpl. Louis Hribik's report indicates that Curtis said the sign is "racist," that he felt harassed by it and wanted to know what would be done about it.

Hribik went to Jimbo's, looked at the sign, spoke with Boggess and decided that the sign wasn't derogatory or racist and that no further police action was needed.


Note the picture in the post is AFTER he 'altered' his sign.

I saw another article on CBS - the article reads 'outraged'. Not true - more like - embarassed.

I'm sharing this in the AA Group because everyone is focused on the 'sign' - and not the police actions.

Mr. Curtis was threatened with arrest a block and half away for challenging the Flemington PD - VERBALLY. He has since filed charges against the police department.



Mr. Curtis as of this morning has received threatening text messages on his phone - calling him a *nigger* and suggesting he be *fucked like a dog*.

You can find him on twitter and facebook at his business - bhakti fitness . . . maybe throw him some love?


In the meantime - we are patrons at Main Street Bagel. Always have been since we moved out here. We will be there on Saturday morning for a buy in - because we are afraid for the owner of Main Street Bagel as well as Mr. Curtis (another small business owner in our community).


Point blank - this guy on Main Street is a race hustling baiter and when my husband and I learned of this yesterday evening we KNEW it was going to be bad. Anything to let Mr. Curtis know he's not alone would be a good thing!

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
In My Town . . . White History Month Sign (Original Post) JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 OP
Three examples of racism in one sick story. Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #1
You ought to see the comments on social media JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 #5
hey, jiimboy, in case you are not aware of it, white history is basically celebrated 24/7/365. but niyad Mar 2015 #2
Why is Mr. Boggess wearing a Star Trek uniform? Shrike47 Mar 2015 #3
Ha! JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 #7
He could always order this: Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #10
Isn't every month white history month? kwassa Mar 2015 #4
His food would have that impact JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 #6
Wait what? Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #8
That's what Jimbo said! JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 #9
OOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Gotcha! Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #11
I think that's because Hitler's birthday was April 20th steve2470 Mar 2015 #19
Oooh! I thought it was because of April Fool's Day. n/t freshwest Mar 2015 #20
"April is white history month" Really??? Since when??! Number23 Mar 2015 #21
"I wonder about the Cayman Islands stickers. Does he keep his money in offshore accounts there? " Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #12
Ahhh ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #13
There are seven White History Month groups on Facebook. kwassa Mar 2015 #14
Those people kwassa. . . JustAnotherGen Mar 2015 #15
If White History Month kicks off on April 1 ... eppur_se_muova Mar 2015 #16
No, they're fools the year round. kwassa Mar 2015 #17
Mr. Boggess is an idiot and a racist! steve2470 Mar 2015 #18

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
1. Three examples of racism in one sick story.
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:43 PM
Mar 2015

Individual. Pretty obvious.

Societal. The fact he even feels comfortable posting such a thing, and likely has others patting him on the back. Of course, then there is the "there is NO such thing as "white privilege!", which is a form of societal racism.

Institutional. Though the police reaction can be something else as well (we have plenty of stories of police acting badly), given the nature of the incident, the complaint and the surrounding circumstances, this could easily be seen as the police protecting the white establishment.

"No matter what you are -- Muslim, Jewish, black, white, gay, straight -- you should be proud of what you are. I shouldn't have to feel bad about being white."


The newest incarnation of "I am not racist, but...."

JustAnotherGen

(31,683 posts)
5. You ought to see the comments on social media
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:54 PM
Mar 2015

If you are on Facebook - look for Flemington BID. Go back to about January 16th - the snark is coming from people in our town.

BUT - people who are 'white' and 'proud' of it are coming up to eat and support him.

And Yelp? Oohhhhh boy!

Flemington United and Flemington Forward are closed to town members but ay yi yi yi!

I'm very interested in what happens with the P.D. because our newly elected Mayor took over the Police Commissioner's role from a very good man who would NOT have tolerated the behavior of the chief or sargeant. This was the Commissioner whose job I was out trying to get back for him a few months ago.

He's very Libertarian - but that means - he doesn't like the Authori-teh stepping on people.

niyad

(112,435 posts)
2. hey, jiimboy, in case you are not aware of it, white history is basically celebrated 24/7/365. but
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:46 PM
Mar 2015

then, your brain would have to be functioning to know that.

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
4. Isn't every month white history month?
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:51 PM
Mar 2015

There is no official white history month, and it isn't in Jimbo's power to declare one.

I wonder about the Cayman Islands stickers. Does he keep his money in offshore accounts there?

In any case, I think this might have a big negative impact on his deli's business.

JustAnotherGen

(31,683 posts)
6. His food would have that impact
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 01:57 PM
Mar 2015

My husband ate there once and got a little queasy. He's sticking to Main Street and Market for his lunches out on a go forward basis.

What stunned me is evidently there IS a White History Month - and it is April.

Can we use that next February? Tell people to hush because April is white history month?

JustAnotherGen

(31,683 posts)
9. That's what Jimbo said!
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 02:08 PM
Mar 2015

He said April is white history month but he still put it up in March.

I wonder if I should turn him into Storm Front for not following protocol?

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
11. OOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Gotcha!
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 02:11 PM
Mar 2015

I was wondering. Maybe he got confused...I mean, look at all those letter in the names of the months?!

You could turn him into Stormfront, you know they lurves them some "Protocols"!

steve2470

(37,457 posts)
19. I think that's because Hitler's birthday was April 20th
Fri Mar 6, 2015, 09:14 AM
Mar 2015
April 20, 1889

I learned that nauseating fact from white supremacists while I worked in the prison.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
12. "I wonder about the Cayman Islands stickers. Does he keep his money in offshore accounts there? "
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 02:25 PM
Mar 2015

OK, so I wasn't the only one who "went there" too. I saw those stickers and went...hmmmm. May be it time to "invest" in a sandwich. :

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
13. Ahhh ...
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 02:30 PM
Mar 2015

Another "fish celebrating the water that it claims doesn't exist" story!

I've wondered, when will these folks understand ... you can be a racist, or you can be a business owner; but, you can't both successful at both.

But then again, when they try ... they are quick to gain a new status ... VICTIM.

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
14. There are seven White History Month groups on Facebook.
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 02:38 PM
Mar 2015

The American White History Month group has 7,262 likes.

This news story is featured there, among many other racist stories.

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