WATCH ABOVE: Hispanic restaurant owner schedules ‘White Appreciation Day,’ saying all Americans deserve to be celebrated. KUSA’s Whitney Wild reports.
TORONTO – A Colorado restaurant is planning a special “whites only” customer appreciation day that is stirring up controversy in the United States.
The new owners of Rubbin’ Buttz BBQ in Milliken, Edgar Antillon and Miguel Jimenez, plan to offer a ten per cent discount to caucasian customers on June 11. The catch – people of any other skin colour are being left out.
The pair have admitted the idea started as a joke but believe the event is justified. They’re allegedly using it to start a positive conversation about race and equality.
Get breaking National news
“We have a whole month for Black History Month,” Antillon told KUSA-TV. “We have a whole month for Hispanic Heritage Month, so we thought the least we could do was offer one day to appreciate white Americans.”
- N.S. woman says her family has lost hundreds of relatives, friends in Nepal floods
- Canadian citizen confirmed safe after Nepal floods but 29 still missing
- ‘We have to move quickly’: Canadians lend a hand as massive relief effort in Nepal begins
- Ontario student accused in U.S. of taking airport photos for Chinese official
But at least one civil rights activist can’t believe the event is moving forward.
“It’s a perpetuation of racism,” Ricardo Romero said. “It’s wrong. If you’re going to give a discount, give it to the whole community.”
Antillon expects more backlash but is sticking to his guns.
The restaurant owner is using the hashtag “#celebrateallamericans” on Twitter to get his point across on social media.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.