African American
Related: About this forumIn 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
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!
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)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)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)then, your brain would have to be functioning to know that.
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,683 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)kwassa
(23,340 posts)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)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?
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)When did this happen?
JustAnotherGen
(31,683 posts)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)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)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Number23
(24,544 posts)Good God...
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)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)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)The American White History Month group has 7,262 likes.
This news story is featured there, among many other racist stories.
JustAnotherGen
(31,683 posts)No - just -no. I can't. Oh my.
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)does that mean 30 days of April Fools ?
kwassa
(23,340 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)Much support for Mr. Curtis!