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Author Topic: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory  (Read 2322 times)

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Offline Crazy Horse

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Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« on: March 20, 2008, 07:43:16 AM »
  :tongue:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3235255

Quote
onehandle  (1000+ posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:25 AM
Original message
Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
 Advertisements [?]Source: Philadelphia Enquirer

A city agency yesterday dismissed a discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks for its speak-English sign, halting a case that thrust shop owner Joey Vento into the national spotlight of the contentious immigration debate.

A split three-member panel of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations ruled that a sign in the South Philadelphia cheesesteak shop did not convey a message that service would be refused to non-English speakers.

"The bottom line is that I didn't do anything wrong," said Vento, 68, who maintained that the sign was a political statement and that no customers were ever turned away. "It's a good victory."

Had the commission ruled against Geno's, it could have imposed fines and have moved to revoke Vento's business license.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/philadelphia/20080...


Quote
Paint It Black (755 posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:43 AM
Response to Original message
1. I hope they take this to court
 I don't see how this could not be construed as discrimination against non-English speakers.


You are a damn IDJIT

Quote
bean fidhleir (317 posts)     Thu Mar-20-08 07:53 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. "non-English speakers" isn't a protected class (nt)

 
Chip, chip, chip

Quote
Red Zelda (1000+ posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:43 AM
Response to Original message
2. I'll bet speaking Italian would be OK
 hypocrites


IDJITS

Quote
DiverDave (1000+ posts)       Thu Mar-20-08 08:06 AM
Response to Original message
5. So, to own a business
 you need to hire translators?

Look, I'm all for diversity, but this is getting ridicules.

Is getting.................. :thatsright:

Quote
Demeter  (1000+ posts)       Thu Mar-20-08 08:09 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. It's Rude and Arrogant, But That's Not Illegal--It's GOP Standard Operating Procedure
 
   
Wrong party idjit

Quote
moose65 (333 posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 08:19 AM
Response to Original message
7. I don't know about this...
 In some of the accounts I've read, Vento comes across as arrogant and xenophobic, while in others he's just an old curmudgeon. Do you folks think that "Please order in English" is discriminatory if he just wanted to move the line along as quickly as possible? Most immigrants and visitors to the US know enough English to order a sandwich, I would imagine.
 
 
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Offline stickyboot

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Re: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2008, 05:19:08 PM »
Quote from: Crazy Horse on March 20, 2008, 07:43:16 AM
  :tongue:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3235255

Quote
onehandle  (1000+ posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:25 AM
Original message
Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
 Advertisements [?]Source: Philadelphia Enquirer

A city agency yesterday dismissed a discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks for its speak-English sign, halting a case that thrust shop owner Joey Vento into the national spotlight of the contentious immigration debate.

A split three-member panel of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations ruled that a sign in the South Philadelphia cheesesteak shop did not convey a message that service would be refused to non-English speakers.

"The bottom line is that I didn't do anything wrong," said Vento, 68, who maintained that the sign was a political statement and that no customers were ever turned away. "It's a good victory."

Had the commission ruled against Geno's, it could have imposed fines and have moved to revoke Vento's business license.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/philadelphia/20080...


Quote
Paint It Black (755 posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:43 AM
Response to Original message
1. I hope they take this to court
 I don't see how this could not be construed as discrimination against non-English speakers.


You are a damn IDJIT

Quote
bean fidhleir (317 posts)     Thu Mar-20-08 07:53 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. "non-English speakers" isn't a protected class (nt)

 
Chip, chip, chip

Quote
Red Zelda (1000+ posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 07:43 AM
Response to Original message
2. I'll bet speaking Italian would be OK
 hypocrites


IDJITS

Quote
DiverDave (1000+ posts)       Thu Mar-20-08 08:06 AM
Response to Original message
5. So, to own a business
 you need to hire translators?

Look, I'm all for diversity, but this is getting ridicules.

Is getting.................. :thatsright:

Quote
Demeter  (1000+ posts)       Thu Mar-20-08 08:09 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. It's Rude and Arrogant, But That's Not Illegal--It's GOP Standard Operating Procedure
 
   
Wrong party idjit

Quote
moose65 (333 posts)      Thu Mar-20-08 08:19 AM
Response to Original message
7. I don't know about this...
 In some of the accounts I've read, Vento comes across as arrogant and xenophobic, while in others he's just an old curmudgeon. Do you folks think that "Please order in English" is discriminatory if he just wanted to move the line along as quickly as possible? Most immigrants and visitors to the US know enough English to order a sandwich, I would imagine.
 
 


When in Rome, I generally try to speak Italian, or find a bi-lingual host. I can't imagine immigrating elsewhere and expecting that country to endlessly accomodate my failure or refusal to learn the native language. Although if the sign said some version of "Italian only" in Italian, I might not be able to understand it.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2008, 06:30:13 PM »
Businesses, especially small ones, have the right, or SHOULD have the right, to refuse service for people they don't want as customers.  Yes, it may harm their business, but they are PRIVATE businesses for a reason.  They can refuse service for those who don't wear t-shirts or shoes, and I think language is something that should be included in those signs posted on front doors.   Those who REFUSE to speak English can always go elsewhere (I know where I've lived, there are business districts that cater to mainly those who speak Spanish). 

My parents, owning a UPS Store, they do NOT have time or patience to learn a 2nd language.  They DID, however, hire a bilingual employee to assist in that area.
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Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2008, 07:01:42 PM »
Good to see this is settled for him.  While I was reading Murdered by Mumia, I gained a new respect for Vento.  He told Maureen Faulker that he wanted to hold a fundraiser for her foundation, and every single dollar they took in that day he gave to her.  Ever single dollar, he didn't just give the profit. 
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Offline Duke Nukum

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Re: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2008, 07:17:59 PM »
Quote from: ACrazyConservative on March 20, 2008, 06:30:13 PM
Businesses, especially small ones, have the right, or SHOULD have the right, to refuse service for people they don't want as customers.  Yes, it may harm their business, but they are PRIVATE businesses for a reason.  They can refuse service for those who don't wear t-shirts or shoes, and I think language is something that should be included in those signs posted on front doors.   Those who REFUSE to speak English can always go elsewhere (I know where I've lived, there are business districts that cater to mainly those who speak Spanish). 

My parents, owning a UPS Store, they do NOT have time or patience to learn a 2nd language.  They DID, however, hire a bilingual employee to assist in that area.
:clap:
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Offline jukin

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Re: Ruling: "Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2008, 08:33:56 PM »
Pelosi is forcing the Salvation Army to hire people that do not speak English but the government will not hire people that do not speak spanish, WTF?
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