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."
Joseph Vento, owner of Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia, displays a sign during a recess of a Commission on Human Relations hearing in Philadelphia, Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. The hearing was over alleged violations of the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance by Geno's Steaks for posting signs asking patrons to speak English when ordering. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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.
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Hey Hummer! stuff it! and your commission too!
Go Joey!
Do you know of any business which will turn away a customer's money because of some stupid reason like color, religion, or ethnicity? Not me.
And as a businessman, that is his right even IF that was what he intended
How does this differ from a business displaying a "Hillary" poster?
I for one, would just go somewhere else.
“Camille Zubinsky Charles, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology
Faculty Associate Director, Center for Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania”
Figures!
Camille Charles is a fascist pig. Let her find a country more to her liking ~ there’s no shortage of them.
"The signs give a feeling of being unwelcome and being excluded," Charles said.
Only if you can read the sign in English. Otherwise, it could be a speed limit sign.
Let her find a country more to her liking
yup
There are more than a few on the Dark Continent where she would fit right in and feel right at home.
If those reading the sign understood it (and feel discriminated against), we can assume they are capable of speaking English (or American!)
She could go to France or Germany if she wanted, or even Canada. They are all deep into fascist realities.
OR Deaf Child in Area sign
How ignorant!
Immigrants can learn English; non-whites learning to be white is much harder...ask Michael Jackson.
Camille not having the ability to run a business or produce a profit makes a tidy income blaming others for things no one cares about.
he should put up a sign that says "I don't understand your gibberish... so if you want to get what you ask for, make sure it's in ENGLISH!!!"
We are in America. We speak English. Why is this discriminatory?
ping
Let’s put it this way. The American people don’t take too kindly to the intimidation of this American business owner.
There are reasons why I don’t patronize Philadelphia and why I won’t take a job inside the city limits under any circumstances. Philly leftists account for all of them.
Appears to me the sign violates none of those.
Next case!
If Joey is found "guilty," anybody know if there is an appeal process?
Why was this person even testifying? Has she ever owned and worked her butt off maintaining a business? Has this pompous busy body ever left the dream state world of her school campus? This spoiled brat is attempting to dictate what this guy does in his own establishment? How many years of her life has been spent at some coddled school campus, never dealing with the real world? I'd bet most of her life.
Pathetic.
ping
This case is STILL ongoing? Yeesh! I remember hearing about this YEARS ago.
Hopefully, Justice will fall in this mans favor. This is just ridiculous. It’s HIS restaurant. It should be HIS rules!
(Same with smoking in privately owned bars, restaurants and taverns! And I don’t smoke.)
What will this gain? Will I have to order in fluent Mandarin in a Chinese-owned restaurant? Will I need to learn Yiddish to order in a Kosher Deli? ;)
Africanna studies?
He is a huge supporter of Maureen Faulkner, who's husband, police officer Daniel Faulkner, was executed by Wesely Cook, AKA Mumia Abul Jamal. As a matter of fact, Ms. Faukner and Mike Smerconish had a book signing event at Geno's Steaks. 
In addition, Joey Vento has installed and maintains a "Walk of Heroes", containing the names of every Philadelphia Police Officer and Fire Fighter killed in the line of duty. 
In the old days Joey could call somebody named Scarpa or Scarpelli and resolve this in a gentlemanly manner.
Capish?
This country is getting more and more like the Soviet Union every day.
Suggestions include having an attorney who doesn’t speak English to argue Joey’s case. Would the commission enjoy conducting business that way?
“Africanna studies?”
Somehow I figured it was a safe bet she wasn’t chairman of the Classic Dept.
Είμαι δικηγόρος!
How much practice does it take to say “wit”?
Capiche.
Bump for free speech...
What you said, yep, that's what I meant.
Exactly. Or to make it twice as difficult, "Wiz with."
Philly Fascism Bump.
Joey is from the neighborhood. He’ll never move.
Mugabe needs a concubine...
Wasn’t that the same as the Chevy Impala but with more chrome?
This is a complete waste of time and money on the city’s part. Let the man have his sign and focus on solving some real human relations problems like the 370 plus murders this year a lone. If people are offended by a little sign, they don’t have to eat there. If enough people stop going it may hurt Joey’s business, so be it. But his heart is in the right place.
The city is going after a multiple thought criminal in their minds. The fascists won’t rest until either he capitulates or they ruin him.
“The signs give a feeling of being unwelcome and being excluded,” Charles said.”
“Only if you can read the sign in English. Otherwise, it could be a speed limit sign.”
Bingo....
The stupid libs that are fighting this sign do not realize the irony in that statement. If they can’t speak English, how would they know what it said enough to feel unwelcomed?
“What will this gain? Will I have to order in fluent Mandarin in a Chinese-owned restaurant? Will I need to learn Yiddish to order in a Kosher Deli? ;)”
Probably not...but you will have to press one for english, two for spanish, and when you enter stores like Lowes you will have to read Entrada....
So I guess English is not ok ...but Spanish is.
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