General Discussion

Iris

(16,881 posts)

178. Actually, if it's public university, it is their business.

Wed Nov 18, 2015, 10:29 PM

Nov 2015

I work for a public university in a rural town that has serious race issues. The community never misses a chance to be "concerned" about events on campus (a "rapper" - oh, my!) or to spread rumors like our admissions policy has been lowered because we have so many black students. We struggle with a lot of this on campus as well but for the most part are light years ahead of the community. Our president has made it quite clear that if there's going to be a change in thinking, it has to come from the university.

Protest and picket outside of the restaurant? Yes - maybe for students. But the university should also be looking for opportunities to invite the community onto campus to talk about this and to give voices that are too often shut down the chance to be heard.

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When a Racist Restaurant Opens on the Edge of Campus, What Is a University's Responsibility? [View all] marmar Nov 2015 OP

Give me a fucking break. linuxman Nov 2015 #1

Actually, if it's public university, it is their business. Iris Nov 2015 #178

BS SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #190

Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick.... ileus Nov 2015 #2

^^^^ THIS ^^^^ COLGATE4 Nov 2015 #28

Does that mean that jumping is pronounced 'humping?' pangaia Nov 2015 #86

For the win n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #89

The university can express its disapproval and say that they deplore the restaurant's racist name. Nye Bevan Nov 2015 #3

Yes, what you said. Tipperary Nov 2015 #37

You just hit me with a micro aggression Jesus Malverde Nov 2015 #171

lol! Tipperary Nov 2015 #175

Lol yes! DU Jesus Malverde Nov 2015 #177

So, because students are aware of injustice, they are "fragile"? Hardly. Iris Nov 2015 #180

The name of a restaurant is an injustice? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #189

They can also state that no university $$ will be spent there (i.e., catering, business meetings) Gormy Cuss Nov 2015 #124

Why is it crap? Throd Nov 2015 #132

It's an insult to undocumented people. roody Nov 2015 #207

Probably the most they could do Jesus Malverde Nov 2015 #182

None. Throd Nov 2015 #4

The university has no say SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #5

Also no responsibility. WillowTree Nov 2015 #80

Agree 100% n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #83

What stuff, standing up against racists? Gormy Cuss Nov 2015 #125

No. Throngs of people looking for reasons to be offended and....... WillowTree Nov 2015 #162

More like throngs of people who know offensive when they experience it. Gormy Cuss Nov 2015 #212

In Boulder Colorado. Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #218

1..why is white owned an issue?????...are taco bells owned by hispanics???? dembotoz Nov 2015 #6

Hmmph. Next you'll me telling me that a "Meximelt" is not a traditional, authentic Mexican dish (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2015 #19

There's a Mexican place in downtown San Jose called Tres Gringos! KamaAina Nov 2015 #21

How is the food? yuiyoshida Nov 2015 #230

No se (I don't know). KamaAina Nov 2015 #231

That might even work yuiyoshida Nov 2015 #232

I hear ya! KamaAina Nov 2015 #234

White owned is an issue because this is a white privilege country. Sounds like the owners randys1 Nov 2015 #115

It's a very successful chain SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #117

Of course I said I didnt know if they were racists assholes, that possibly they were liberals trying randys1 Nov 2015 #155

I'm bothered by overt racism as well SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #163

Because the racist asshole market in Boulder Colorado is so huge. Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #220

This is in Arizona, I thought. If it is a chain, and if the name truly has nothing to do with randys1 Nov 2015 #222

This small restaurant chain is centered in Boulder Colorado Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #223

AS a progressive, if I have made a mistake (although I didnt categorically call anyone randys1 Nov 2015 #225

whiny college students with more time than common sense Yorktown Nov 2015 #186

There are Mexicans of European descent, FWIW Retrograde Nov 2015 #170

Boulder Colorado progressives, more like. Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #219

It's not a racist restaurant Bonx Nov 2015 #7

Yeah....that story is entirely believable. jeff47 Nov 2015 #30

You're right SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #33

Oh noes, Rollie eyes ! Bonx Nov 2015 #43

Actually, in one aspect, this chain is quite progressive, they post what they pay their employees... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #56

I saw that SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #65

Fuck, I actually want to work there, and I worked retail and fast food, it fucking sucks, but at... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #68

I *think* that figure includes benefits SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #71

True, but compared to most restaurants and people who work in them, especially chains, its on the... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #76

Oh absolutely! SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #79

You know, I hear the Washington R*****s pay quite well also philosslayer Nov 2015 #119

"Redskins" is obviously a derogatory name SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #121

so is "Illegals" philosslayer Nov 2015 #123

Is the name of the restaurant "Illegals"? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #127

The name of the restaurant is "Illegal Pete's" philosslayer Nov 2015 #130

Nope SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #134

You just blew up your whole argument in the first sentence philosslayer Nov 2015 #139

I'm sorry that you are afflicted with a condition SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #143

Aside from being technically true... TipTok Nov 2015 #235

I wonder who is more outraged here. Those who suspect the restaurant may be using a randys1 Nov 2015 #159

Where were you and all the others TM99 Nov 2015 #161

Speaking only for myself SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #164

Faux outrage of the usual suspects. Translation: liberals who point out racism randys1 Nov 2015 #165

I sure hope you didn't pay for that mindreading SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #167

The definition of liberal has moved underfoot. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2015 #233

I believe him bravenak Nov 2015 #176

Not exactly surprising. (nt) jeff47 Nov 2015 #184

Mexicans rarely name themselves Pete. bravenak Nov 2015 #187

So...you'd have to have a family member named "Pete" to make the connection? (nt) jeff47 Nov 2015 #188

Since much of my family IS HISPANIC, I'd have to at least see that it was common. bravenak Nov 2015 #191

Is "Noc-a-Homa" a common Native American name? jeff47 Nov 2015 #194

I am not a part of the native american culture. bravenak Nov 2015 #197

Does it matter? sahel Nov 2015 #228

That makes sense. Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #39

This message was self-deleted by its author Kurska Nov 2015 #215

Illegal Pete's? What a stupid name for a diner! Rex Nov 2015 #8

Did you happen to read post #7? snooper2 Nov 2015 #9

Yes and I still think it is a dumb name. Why not Renegades or Rebels Hideout. Rex Nov 2015 #10

Why is it stupid ? Is 'Pete' a stereotypical Latino/Mexican name ? Bonx Nov 2015 #20

Wow I just said it is stupid, are you offended that I have my own opinion? Rex Nov 2015 #168

Because "rebels hideout" is racist due to the civil war GummyBearz Nov 2015 #42

True I guess rebels hideout won't work either. Rex Nov 2015 #169

Regardless of the personal reason - in that place it's still problematic el_bryanto Nov 2015 #11

And if they are that curious they can stop in for a beer or read about it here now snooper2 Nov 2015 #34

Or go to the company's website SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #35

I would think that those who find the name offensive would simply boycott the restaurant. Yo_Mama Nov 2015 #12

How many Mexicans are named Pete? FLPanhandle Nov 2015 #13

None. bigwillq Nov 2015 #14

You see, this is the problem matt819 Nov 2015 #15

I highly doubt this is the right attacking n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #16

maybe not but they love these stories GreatGazoo Nov 2015 #75

They might challenge the place's liquor license KamaAina Nov 2015 #17

Challenge it based on what? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #18

The public safety angle KamaAina Nov 2015 #22

Hurt feelings does not equal public safety issue n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #23

It might, if the hurt feelings erupted into civil unrest KamaAina Nov 2015 #24

I agree, highly unlikely SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #26

"I'm gonna riot unless you force the place to stop doing something perfectly legal that I don't like Lee-Lee Nov 2015 #211

that's a town problem... lame54 Nov 2015 #25

Not on university property, not the university's problem. hobbit709 Nov 2015 #27

Yep SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #29

Yes, it is the university's problem. Iris Nov 2015 #181

Has nothing to do with the university. hobbit709 Nov 2015 #185

The restuarant had to get a business license, and that license is provided by the local government. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #31

Except, it isn't racist. TM99 Nov 2015 #38

It is racist philosslayer Nov 2015 #44

No indication the name is racist SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #45

Are you a psychic now? How is the name racist? n/t Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #50

What exactly is racist about the name? Go ahead, be specific, about this underahedgerow Nov 2015 #62

Have you read their website TM99 Nov 2015 #107

The Washington R*****s offer great benefits as well philosslayer Nov 2015 #122

Obviously well TM99 Nov 2015 #133

Perhaps, but it is very tone deaf. It would be up to them to defend their use of the term. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #48

It isn't up to them to defend anything SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #51

If th Hispanic Community decides it is, then Illegal Pete's damn well does need to defend itself. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #54

They have had the name since 1995, I would think someone would have bothered to go after... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #58

In one article I read SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #63

Like the whiny students SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #59

Whinny students is a borad brush attack at a whole class of people, being students, and hispanics. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #64

It's a description of the students that are whining about this SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #69

Bullshit. It is a drogatory attack on a group of people in order to disocunt their ideas. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #74

When their ideas are stupid, they deserve to be dismissed. n/t Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #77

When a name is an uggly racist slurr it deserves to be exposed. nt Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #81

I agree SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #85

We've been posting about it. No advance warning needed. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #87

Where? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #91

No, we are posting about "Illegal Pete's Mexian Restaurant.... no warning needed. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #92

Sorry, I wasn't clear SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #94

Ths is the one. If you don't recognize it, that is not my problem. n/t Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #95

I don't form my opinions of what is or isn't racist SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #98

Callng studenst and hispanics "Whiny College Students" is a broad brush attack on a group. n/t Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #101

As I said before SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #104

Repeating yourself doesn't make it less of an uggly broad brushed attack. nt Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #106

And repeating yourself doesn't make you right SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #108

Ah, but I don't attack a group of peole with a broad brush. nt Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #111

Nor did I SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #113

But its not, that's what makes the idea stupid. n/t Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #99

If Hispanics and students see it as racaist, then it isn't stupid. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #103

The fact that they disagree with me is irrelevant SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #105

They fact that you think so doesn't make it less than a broad brushed atack against a group. nt Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #109

It should be noted that some students think its racist, also bear in mind this is the name... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #110

Redskins was around longer than that, and that is racist. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #112

Of course the Redskins is, and the iconography of it is also racist, Illegal Pete's isn't racist.n/t Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #114

Hispanics and students do not agree with you. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #146

Big fucking deal SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #148

You know what they say about opinions SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #82

Oh, they certainly do. n/t Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #84

Exactly, and very well put philosslayer Nov 2015 #53

Except you are wrong in this case. TM99 Nov 2015 #102

Take what case to which court? Hrmm? What law is broken when someone gets offended? X_Digger Nov 2015 #199

The use of Redskins was taken to court. The same could be done with this. Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #200

You're still pushing this stupid idea? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #201

Well, your not one of the Hispanics or Students. If they are our future, we are in good hands. nt Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #202

Our future is fucked SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #203

That was for a trademark. What section of local code (you know, the licensing authority in the area) X_Digger Nov 2015 #204

Um, that would be SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #205

I have no problem with it Travis_0004 Nov 2015 #32

Well this is getting so sadly ridiculous. TM99 Nov 2015 #36

change the name to Jock Straps olddots Nov 2015 #40

What odd framing for an article Cal Carpenter Nov 2015 #41

From an ASU graduate during rivalry week. rufus dog Nov 2015 #46

The "Illegal's" part of the name made me do a side-eye romanic Nov 2015 #47

I thought the name looked familiar. Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #49

So its a chain with a funny name? Could the article in question be any more ridiculous? Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #52

OMFG it's a CHAIN. Give me a break. Helicopter parenting much? underahedgerow Nov 2015 #55

How? get the red out Nov 2015 #57

Not to mention that someone is really reaching to claim this restaurant chain's name is racist... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #61

If, by the time they reach college age, your kids... Lizzie Poppet Nov 2015 #60

I hope the outrage enthusiasts don't find out about Blackie's in Newport Beach. Throd Nov 2015 #66

Is anyone apart from the article author talking about the "responsibility of the university"? muriel_volestrangler Nov 2015 #67

Considering the chain has had the same name for the past 20 years, the petition is most likely... Humanist_Activist Nov 2015 #72

America is supposed to be a free country... HickFromTheTick Nov 2015 #70

He's used this name for 20 years SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #78

His chain has thrived for 20 years Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #100

Other than relocating their pep rallies ... surrealAmerican Nov 2015 #73

I would have thought about the name of the restaruant for 2.3 seconds. BlueJazz Nov 2015 #88

Same here SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #93

! BlueJazz Nov 2015 #142

ZERO. hifiguy Nov 2015 #90

The university has no responsibility or authority in the matter. NaturalHigh Nov 2015 #96

Owner/founder sounds more like a progressive type. Heeeeers Johnny Nov 2015 #97

Uh, none. NEXT!..... nt Eleanors38 Nov 2015 #116

The author is a professor of Raza studies, so I think he knows racism when he sees it mwrguy Nov 2015 #118

Or he looks for racism in every single thing he sees SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #120

Or he may be a professional pantie-wadder. Throd Nov 2015 #126

Yep n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #128

Hobby, shit, it's a full-time hifiguy Nov 2015 #145

Well, then, where the fuck was TM99 Nov 2015 #135

Here we go with the "whitey vs everyone else" comment. romanic Nov 2015 #141

What about "Illegal Burritos"? ShrimpPoboy Nov 2015 #129

Do you live in a college town? n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #131

Not exactly ShrimpPoboy Nov 2015 #140

Isn't it funny? linuxman Nov 2015 #136

Excellent point n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #138

To be fair romanic Nov 2015 #144

To be fair, linuxman Nov 2015 #150

I see your point romanic Nov 2015 #160

Are we really getting THAT sensitive? Come on......nt clarice Nov 2015 #137

When your mission in life is finding hifiguy Nov 2015 #147

Um, I'm offended by that SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #151

LOL. Just a random choice. hifiguy Nov 2015 #153

lol... I call it COS....constantly offended syndrome. nt clarice Nov 2015 #156

And just what the FUCK is that supposed to mean??? linuxman Nov 2015 #157

Just be very careful when using the word "Snickers" EL34x4 Nov 2015 #217

Not sure if it was racist or just stupid Bradical79 Nov 2015 #149

Political correctness goes outrage shopping. 99Forever Nov 2015 #152

2133 views, 1 rec Bonx Nov 2015 #154

Tucson has a history with this Mosby Nov 2015 #158

I wonder how these people even go outside.... TipTok Nov 2015 #166

None... Blue_Tires Nov 2015 #172

Exactly n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #173

They have been in business 20 years Travis_0004 Nov 2015 #196

Evidently they haven't been next to a major Blue_Tires Nov 2015 #214

ROFL! Crunchy Frog Nov 2015 #221

So if "Illegal Pete's" has existed this long in harmony Blue_Tires Nov 2015 #224

When do these kids have time to study? cherokeeprogressive Nov 2015 #174

Unless it's on university property, their responsibility is nil. n/t tammywammy Nov 2015 #179

Racist name! What was owner thinking? Liberal_in_LA Nov 2015 #183

He was thinking SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #192

Ok. Time to change the name. Remember Sambos restaurants? Liberal_in_LA Nov 2015 #208

Yep SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2015 #210

Why do these activists want to let right wingers win? Democat Nov 2015 #209

This piece reads like it was written as bad parody. Truthout should demand the restaurant close tritsofme Nov 2015 #193

*sigh* No. n/t X_Digger Nov 2015 #195

Responsibility is one thing; I'm not seeing from the article what the University can actually *do* Recursion Nov 2015 #198

No, the 'Safe Zone' for fee fees stops at the edge of Fantasy Land State U. Marr Nov 2015 #206

They should just name their restaurant "Hitler's Tacos" Quantess Nov 2015 #213

Cry bullies strike again Kurska Nov 2015 #216

One of the boats we use in our project is called the "Sea Whore." alarimer Nov 2015 #226

Are they planning an Illegal Pete's appreciation day? pstokely Nov 2015 #227

Hmm Snow Leopard Nov 2015 #229

The university is responsible for educating students Prism Nov 2015 #236