(Inter racial) local couple wants answers after racial slur found on key tag

www.ajc.com ^ | 1/2/14 | unknown

[armydawg505]

EAST POINT, Ga. — A Georgia couple says they're still in shock after they were the target of racism at a popular local restaurant.

A U.S. Army sergeant major just back from Kuwait and his wife went to Spondivits in East Point on New Year's Day, but what they found on their key ring when they got home left them deeply hurt.

"I shouldn't have to feel this way," said Candea Aarons.

When Candea and her husband Sam got home they noticed the tag left by the man who they say valet parked their car, with the words "jungle fever," a derogatory slur used to describe interracial couples.

"We have never been so blatantly described in such a blatantly appalling manner ever," Candea Aarons said.

Aarons said the ugly message left her and her husband deeply hurt.

[armydawg505]

Is this for real? How many times have we seen this sort of hoax from publicity (and money) seeking folks? Why would anyone drive all the way from Columbus to East Point, the arm pit of the Atlanta area, just to eat out? Not sure most Sergeants Major would publicize this sort of thing, they normally are very guarded in the civilian world.

[mmichaels1970]

Gone are they days when the Sergeant Major could simply drive back to the restaurant and punch somebody in the nose.

Now it has to be hurt feelings and national news.

[cincinnati65]

Didn’t Spike Lee have a movie of this name? How can this be racist?

[Antihero101607]

I don’t know what’s worse, the fact somebody might do such a thing, or the fact that I have to question the incidents credibility these days.

[BenLurkin]

Hoax or not, there are a lot of ignorant people out there for whom “jungle fever” is the first thought upon seeing an interracial couple.

[SIDENET]

I can see this happening.

My wife is Korean, and I've seen this kind of garbage first hand.

Many times.

[Cowboy Bob]

Husband White, wife Black. Story sounds really strange.

[Jim Noble]

Hoax.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

$omebody has to pay!

[Gamecock]

[AppyPappy]

Ironically, all we have is interracial couples. Any black couples are assumed to be foreigners. When you only have a few black people, the chance of them being compatible is very slim.

[MrB]

Yes, things were simpler, and actually a lot more civil,
when people had the fear of immediate consequences for being rude like this.

Blame the lawyers. I always do.

[oh8eleven]

That's some classy dresss she's almost wearing.

[Gamecock]

***Gone are they days when the Sergeant Major could simply drive back to the restaurant and punch somebody in the nose.***

We are friends with a couple, he is a big burly black Sergeant Major. When he moved into the area he had some trouble getting his kid enrolled in the local school. He put on his uniform and made a visit to the district office. The issue was resolved rather quickly.

[Fightin Whitey]

So somebody has “deeply hurt” feelings.

Holy crap. I need a full-time media personality riding around in my pickup with me just to keep track.

[BenLurkin]

Husband White, wife Black.

It happens.

[trisham]

I’m sceptical.

[lonevoice]

"I shouldn't have to feel this way," said Candea Aarons.

Then don't. That's the one thing you have 100% control over.

[Gaffer]

Regardless, there is a picture of the tag, and there is a statement by the restaurant the valet service is contracted, and that contractor has indicated the valet in question is no longer working for the company.

Sounds legit, but strange nonetheless.

[Travis T. OJustice]

Yeah, I’ll bet a hundred bucks they did it themselves.