Habla Ingles or You Ain't Getting No Cheesesteak

three blind mice — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:43:16 -0800

"Speak English" sign at cheesesteak shop not discriminatory. A split three-member panel of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations ruled that a sign in Genos Steaks the South Philadelphia cheesesteak shop did not convey a message that service would be refused to non-English speakers. University of Pennsylvania professor Camille Charles likened it to "white only" signs from the Jim Crow era. Owner Joey Vento vowed to shut down Geno's Steaks rather than take the sign down. Rudy "We should make certain that they can read English, write English and speak English" Guliani offered his support. The story was covered by the BBC. Obama missed his chance to discuss race with Geno's owner Vento who challenged both the the Democratic presidential candidates to come down for a cheesesteak during their recent visit to Philly. That's an encounter I would have liked to have seen.

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