When a Racist Restaurant Opens on the Edge of Campus, What Is a University's Responsibility?

[marmar]

(Truthout) A white-owned Mexican restaurant called "Illegal Pete's" will open in December at the doorstep of the University of Arizona. A growing debate surrounds the restaurant's opening - a debate that could ultimately touch every university in the country.

In this case, the proposed restaurant is just one block from the main entrance to the university, and it is precisely where the campus pep rallies take place before the big games. Because of the restaurant's location, its opening has ramifications that go beyond legal or real estate questions. Yet, at the moment, the university is remaining neutral on this matter. But is neutrality possible when the school's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the university community?

This controversy involves the question: Are universities responsible for the conduct of tenants in adjoining university villages - which are the heart of university life - whether they own the property or not? In this case, this question is particularly relevant as the owner of this restaurant appears to be locating his liquor establishments near college campuses.

In this case, the opponents of the restaurant are arguing that the university's responsibility in creating a safe space for its students, staff, faculty and workers includes not simply freedom from physical harm, but also freedom from psychological harm that can occur from repeated exposure to anti-Mexican mockery and bigotry. The opponents, led by the student group MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/Chicano de Aztlan), have begun a petition, demanding that the owner either change the name of the restaurant or shut it down. ......................(more)

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33662-when-a-racist-restaurant-opens-on-the-edge-of-campus-what-is-a-university-s-responsibility

[linuxman]

1. Give me a fucking break.

If it's not on university property, the restaurant can tell them to pound sand, and rightfully so.

There is literally no recourse for the school.

Students are free to stand around the place and scream and protest, just as the owner is free to give his place an inflammatory name, but that's it.

As far as the university is concerned, this literally isn't any of their business.

[Iris]

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

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.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

190. BS

It's none of the university's business whatsoever what a business outside of university property decides to call itself.

None.

[ileus]

2. Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick....

Pronounced: HeyZeus have we become a nation of idiots or what???

[COLGATE4]

28. ^^^^ THIS ^^^^

[pangaia]

86. Does that mean that jumping is pronounced 'humping?'

[SickOfTheOnePct]

89. For the win n/t

[Nye Bevan]

3. The university can express its disapproval and say that they deplore the restaurant's racist name.

And that's pretty much it. It's a big, ugly world out there and students are going to have to learn to deal with encountering all sort of ugliness without depending on the university to protect them.

[Tipperary]

37. Yes, what you said.

I cannot believe how fragile this young generation seems to be.

[Jesus Malverde]

171. You just hit me with a micro aggression

I think that's what they call it anyway.

Joking

[Tipperary]

175. lol!

Do you have a safe space where you can retreat?

[Jesus Malverde]

177. Lol yes! DU

[Iris]

180. So, because students are aware of injustice, they are "fragile"? Hardly.

Plenty of people in my generation have avoided the news and anything else that might make them "depressed" for years and years. If students are paying attention now, we should be glad.

And a university does have the responsibility to reach out to the community around it. 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.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

189. The name of a restaurant is an injustice?

Hardly.

[Gormy Cuss]

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

and that's a big hint to the faculty, staff, and students that an economic boycott is a potential too for driving this crap away from campus.

[Throd]

132. Why is it crap?

[roody]

207. It's an insult to undocumented people.

[Jesus Malverde]

182. Probably the most they could do

Was keep them from advertising in the college newspaper. I figure most catering is done by campus services.

[Throd]

4. None.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

5. The university has no say

nor should they.

What a joke.

[WillowTree]

80. Also no responsibility.

This stuff is totally out of control!

[SickOfTheOnePct]

83. Agree 100% n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

125. What stuff, standing up against racists?

[WillowTree]

162. No. Throngs of people looking for reasons to be offended and.......

.......expecting everyone else to care that they're offended by practically everything.

To be honest, I give less of a damn about the trivial nonsense that people are getting their little lace undies in a bunch over every day.

Don't like the fact that this guy named his chain of restaurants after his hell-raising during what Mellencamp referred to as his "young boy days"? Fine. Don't eat there. Tell your friends not to eat there. Stand out in front and picket if that suits you. But the oh-so-innocent children attending a university in the same neighborhood has no legitimate business thinking that the university.......or anyone else, for that matter.......has some sort of "responsibility" to protect their delicate "feelings" from something that is, frankly, none of the university's business.

[Gormy Cuss]

212. More like throngs of people who know offensive when they experience it.

The restaurant chain was named long after "illegals" became a code for Mexican and it serves Mexican style food. You may choose to believe his explanation of the name but I don't. However, even if he had innocently named the joint, it's incredibly obtuse to insist that there's nothing wrong with it from a brand identity point of view.

[Crunchy Frog]

218. In Boulder Colorado.

Where there are no students and no progressives around to combat such offensiveness and racism.

[dembotoz]

6. 1..why is white owned an issue?????...are taco bells owned by hispanics????

give me a break if you don't like it do not eat there.

sounds like an excellent location...

where does a restaurant become non offensive...for years my favorite mexican restaurant was chi chi's
authentic??? hardly

hispanic students have enuf to worry about with the like of the donald wanting to deport anything that does not look like him.....

[Nye Bevan]

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

[KamaAina]

21. There's a Mexican place in downtown San Jose called Tres Gringos!

Tacolicious in SF's rapidly gentrifying Mission District is also white-owned.

[yuiyoshida]

230. How is the food?

Now i am craving some Mexican food... I love it as much as Asian.

[KamaAina]

231. No se (I don't know).

I've never been. I pass it on the way home every night.

You may just have invented the ultimate California food: Mexican-Asian fusion! The place to start might be Mexicali, which, believe it or not, has a large Chinese population.

[yuiyoshida]

232. That might even work

just so long as there is no cheese with my noodles!

[KamaAina]

234. I hear ya!

[randys1]

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

of the restaurant are

a. racist assholes

b. going to make tons and tons and tons of money from other racist assholes who will eat there whether the food is good or not

If I were a non white American, I would try and find a way to profit off of the racists, who knows, maybe the owners of this restaurant are liberals trying to make money off the assholes

[SickOfTheOnePct]

117. It's a very successful chain

that's been in business for 20 years. A business that pays decent wages and offers benefits.

But the owner is a "racist asshole" because a bunch of whiny college students with more time than common sense don't like the word "Illegal"?

I'm so shocked that you would think this is racist!

Oh wait...no I'm not.

But since you want to discuss racism, would you consider it racist to say that only people of the same race/ethnicity of the local population should be able to own businesses in that area? Sure sounds like that's what you're saying.

[randys1]

155. Of course I said I didnt know if they were racists assholes, that possibly they were liberals trying

to take advantage of racist assholes, but you didnt bother to respond to that part.

Hey, some folks are bothered by overt racism and some arent.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

163. I'm bothered by overt racism as well

I just don't consider this to be racism, overt or otherwise.

And I don't twist things around and take them out of context in order to cry "racism" all the time either.

[Crunchy Frog]

220. Because the racist asshole market in Boulder Colorado is so huge.

[randys1]

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

bigotry, then as I MYSELF SAID it is possible someone is just using the name to make money.

[Crunchy Frog]

223. This small restaurant chain is centered in Boulder Colorado

which is a college town, and a major center for progressive politics.

The idea that there would be a successful chain of restaurants that was designed to make money on the racist asshole market in Boulder is ludicrous on its face.

I'm getting really disgusted by these attacks on my home town.

[randys1]

225. AS a progressive, if I have made a mistake (although I didnt categorically call anyone

anything, I wondered as I was unfamiliar with the entire story) then I admit it, immediately.

If this restaurant chain's name has nothing to do with the complaint made, then more power to them in their business, I will look forward to going someday.

[Yorktown]

186. whiny college students with more time than common sense

If universities are germ free environments, these students risk catching a bad cold later.

Fear of gallows humor? Send in the humor police?

More time than common sense neatly sums it.

[Retrograde]

170. There are Mexicans of European descent, FWIW

My Spanish teacher, a native of Guadalajara, had a father from Ireland. And there was substantial immigration from Germany in the 19th century (which had a strong influence on Mexican beer). Like almost all American countries, Mexico's population is a mixed bag.

We now return to the regularly scheduled debate..

[Crunchy Frog]

219. Boulder Colorado progressives, more like.

I'm getting really sick of these implicit attacks on my home town; one of the country's bastions of progressive politics, where this man's restaurants have thrived for 20 years.

[Bonx]

7. It's not a racist restaurant

Just a crappy article at truthout:
"Pete Turner says he and his father were known for being "hell raisers" and lawbreakers in their youth.
As a result, when Turner opened his first restaurant in 1995, he chose to name it "Illegal Pete’s" as a nod to himself and his dad, who is also named Pete."

[jeff47]

30. Yeah....that story is entirely believable.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

33. You're right

I'm sure he just made that up and posted it on his website.

Quite frankly, I couldn't care less why he named the place Illegal Pete's. His restaurant, his call. Anyone that doesn't like it is free to avoid the place or peacefully protest it.

But to expect the university to say or do anything about it is ridiculous.

[Bonx]

43. Oh noes, Rollie eyes !

[Humanist_Activist]

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

on their website.

How many companies want to advertise that?

So yes, libel them if you want, without evidence you just come across as ignorant.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

65. I saw that

and it looks like they offer some health care benefits as well.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

17-19 dollars an hour? Sign me up, too bad I don't live anywhere near them.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

71. I *think* that figure includes benefits

Looks like the starting wage for servers is $10.50.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

high end of industry standard.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

79. Oh absolutely!

I agree 100% with that.

[philosslayer]

119. You know, I hear the Washington R*****s pay quite well also

in fact, they pay some African Americans millions of dollars per year. So obviously, we should give them a pass on their name....

[SickOfTheOnePct]

121. "Redskins" is obviously a derogatory name

Completely different than this situation.

[philosslayer]

123. so is "Illegals"

[SickOfTheOnePct]

127. Is the name of the restaurant "Illegals"?

I must have misread the OP.

And the link.

And the other story I looked up.

And the restaurant chain's website.

Time to get my eyes checked I guess.

[philosslayer]

130. The name of the restaurant is "Illegal Pete's"

So yes, it is. Would you patronize a restaurant called "R****n Joe?"

[SickOfTheOnePct]

134. Nope

Because unless we're talking about potatoes, "redskin" is a derogatory term in and of itself.

The word "illegal" is not derogatory in and of itself.

If the name of the restaurant were "Illegal Pedro's" or "Illegal Juanita's", then there would certainly be a case for the owner being if not racist, incredibly insensitive. But that isn't the case here.

[philosslayer]

139. You just blew up your whole argument in the first sentence

"unless we're talking about potatoes." What if Joe happened to own a potato farm? Would that made the difference for you? Or would you still view the name as ugly and insensitive?

Same applies here. No, "illegal" is not a derogatory term in an of itself. But when its linked to a Mexican restaurant? Thats where the line has been crossed.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

143. I'm sorry that you are afflicted with a condition

which makes you believe you can read people's minds, but you really can't.

If Joe owned a potato farm named "Redskin Joe's", then yes, I would buy potatoes there, assuming he had the best potatoes.

If Joe owned a restaurant, unless he sold ONLY potatoes, which is highly unlikely, then I would assume that he was using the term in a derogatory manner, and I would not patronize his restaurant.

The word "illegal" can be used in hundreds of contexts, racism being but one of those.

Not only would I eat at Illegal Pete's, I'm going to make a point to patronize his establishment the next time I'm in Boulder for work, which will be in mid-January.

I am happy to see that the with very few exceptions, most people on this thread recognize that this contrived "controversy" is laughable. But it's also comforting to see that the usual suspects are here to express their daily dose of faux outrage. It shouldn't be more than two or three more posts before we start seeing CAPITAL LETTERS!!!!!!!!! expressing OUTRAGE!!!! at the INSENSITIVITY!!!! from some of the regulars.

[TipTok]

235. Aside from being technically true...

[randys1]

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

bigoted term relating to immigrants, OR those who are mad as hell that some might suspect that.


What I just said should make them think about that, but it wont.

will it

[TM99]

161. Where were you and all the others

equating this with racism 20 years ago when he started the chain?

Think about it.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

164. Speaking only for myself

I'm not outraged at all. I do find the students' complaint and their expectation that the university should do something about it laughable.

And I'm always amused by the faux outrage of the usual suspects here.

[randys1]

165. Faux outrage of the usual suspects. Translation: liberals who point out racism

[SickOfTheOnePct]

167. I sure hope you didn't pay for that mindreading

certificate with real money.

[lumberjack_jeff]

233. The definition of liberal has moved underfoot.

Last edited Sat Nov 21, 2015, 03:42 PM - Edit history (1)

The word illegal, as well as the concept itself is racist?
It says more about privileged whites' cultural expectations of minorities.

[bravenak]

176. I believe him

[jeff47]

184. Not exactly surprising. (nt)

[bravenak]

187. Mexicans rarely name themselves Pete.

My Uncle's name is Pedro, followed by my same last name. We have Pablos, Pacos, Pedros, no Petes. We even have a Cristobal, a Bella, an Octavio, Tiara, marisol, margarita, Rossi, no Petes.

[jeff47]

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

[bravenak]

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

I read La Opinion every day almost in Spanish and I cannot remember a Mexican Pete that was really named Pete by his parents. It is a common name among white americans. I did have a black friend named Pete. Several white friends and it seemed that it was a family name.

[jeff47]

194. Is "Noc-a-Homa" a common Native American name?

I'd argue no...yet the Atlanta Braves felt they needed to change their mascot anyway.

[bravenak]

197. I am not a part of the native american culture.

You would need to ask them.

[sahel]

228. Does it matter?

The issue, surely, is not whether he intended to be racist, but whether Hispanic people take it that way.

After all, Popeye's Chicken presumably didnt intend to be racist either when they festooned all their advertisements with Black Annie the Chicken Queen. But many black people took it that way.

[Crunchy Frog]

39. That makes sense.

If it were meant to be racist against Hispanics, they would have called it "Illegal Pedro's".

[Rex]

8. Illegal Pete's? What a stupid name for a diner!

Whatever. Stupid imo.

[snooper2]

9. Did you happen to read post #7?

or just immediately respond to the OP

[Rex]

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

Stupid name imo.

[Bonx]

20. Why is it stupid ? Is 'Pete' a stereotypical Latino/Mexican name ?

Some people seem desperate to be offended.

[Rex]

168. Wow I just said it is stupid, are you offended that I have my own opinion?

Yeah that is what I thought.

[GummyBearz]

42. Because "rebels hideout" is racist due to the civil war

He'd get protested for that name too. Perhaps "I used to be a law breaker but now I'm just 'PC Pete's Place by the Campus'". That should hold him over for a while

[Rex]

169. True I guess rebels hideout won't work either.

Your idea sounds great, he will need a very long sign.

[el_bryanto]

11. Regardless of the personal reason - in that place it's still problematic

People aren't going to know the whole story driving past the restaurant, and you can't expect them just to assume benign intentions.

Bryant

[snooper2]

34. And if they are that curious they can stop in for a beer or read about it here now

[SickOfTheOnePct]

35. Or go to the company's website

And read about the origin of the name.

[Yo_Mama]

12. I would think that those who find the name offensive would simply boycott the restaurant.

Presumably in that location a high number of patrons would normally be students??

I see this as a problem that the public, not the university, will have to assess and deal with.

[FLPanhandle]

13. How many Mexicans are named Pete?

It's named for the owners and their law breaking past.

Some people are hyper sensitive.

[bigwillq]

14. None.

If one doesn't like the restaurant, then they should not eat there.

[matt819]

15. You see, this is the problem

It really does seem as if the right is attacking on every fucking front, small and large, diverting our attention and interest from major issues to fucking insignificant ones.

The school should do nothing. The restaurant owners may or may not be assholes. Let the market decide. And if that market includes protest and public pressure, so long as it's legal, so be it.

End of rant. End of issue. End of story. Give us an update in a year.

Meanwhile, back in the real world. . .

[SickOfTheOnePct]

16. I highly doubt this is the right attacking n/t

[GreatGazoo]

75. maybe not but they love these stories

because it fits their narrative that "college students are spoiled brats" who complain about petty issues and feel offended by things that are actually ambiguous of insignificant.

They like these stories much more than the ones about POC getting killed during traffic stops or who's neighbors called the police because they saw POC entering what turns out to be their own homes. You know, this stuff...

[KamaAina]

17. They might challenge the place's liquor license

but that's about it, and besides, "illegal" in this case does not seem to refer to undocumented immigrants.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

18. Challenge it based on what?

The hurt feelings of some whiny college students?

[KamaAina]

22. The public safety angle

but it doesn't look like they'd have a leg to stand on.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

23. Hurt feelings does not equal public safety issue n/t

[KamaAina]

24. It might, if the hurt feelings erupted into civil unrest

but again, highly unlikely.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

26. I agree, highly unlikely

And the threat of civil unrest would be a piss-poor excuse for challenging a liquor license when the cause of the civil unrest would be a group of whiny students who don't understand the concept of ignoring something they don't like.

[Lee-Lee]

211. "I'm gonna riot unless you force the place to stop doing something perfectly legal that I don't like

Is no way to run a country, and it essentially mob rule backed up by government.

I don't like the name, but if it can down to a bunch of people trying to use mob rule to shut them down when they haven't broken any laws I would stand by the restaraunt owners.

[lame54]

25. that's a town problem...

if the university has concerns they can meet with local government to find a solution but ultimately it is not their call

[hobbit709]

27. Not on university property, not the university's problem.

Anyone offended can just not patronize the place.

Another case of someone feeling they have the right not to be offended.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

29. Yep

It's seemingly an epidemic.

[Iris]

181. Yes, it is the university's problem.

The university does not function in a vacuum.

[hobbit709]

185. Has nothing to do with the university.

It's not part of it, not on university property, not using the university's name, etc.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

The is like the "Redskins" name. The government should not be in the business of promoting racism.

Individuals should go after the town and the business licenses.

The University doesn't own the property and so can not do anything.

[TM99]

38. Except, it isn't racist.

Illegal Pete's is named after the son and father, both named Pete, or were hell raisers when they were younger.

These kids need to grow up fast.

[philosslayer]

44. It is racist

Of course it was named based on their hell raising past *wink wink*. Any other tall tales you care to believe?

The name is racist, and they should have never been granted a license.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

45. No indication the name is racist

Other than the handwringing and faux outrage of the perpetually offended.

[Humanist_Activist]

50. Are you a psychic now? How is the name racist? n/t

[underahedgerow]

62. What exactly is racist about the name? Go ahead, be specific, about this

chain of restaurants based in Denver, that sponsors many charity events, sponsors artists and musicians, and has a food line based on a product invented in San Francisco? (Mission Style Burrito, origin? San Francisco Mission District)

What are you talking out of there?

[TM99]

107. Have you read their website

or are you just going off half cocked and full on offended?

Read it. They offer incredible benefits to their employees. They support artists. They give the meaning of the name. There is nothing there that suggests they are liars.

[philosslayer]

122. The Washington R*****s offer great benefits as well

They've done all sorts of outreach to Native American groups. They pay some African American athletes millions of dollars per year. Your point?

[TM99]

133. Obviously well

beyond your capacity for understanding.

Enjoy your role in the dumbing down of this culture and the infantilization of this young generation.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

In my opinion, if the Hispanic community decides it is slur, then they should take their case to the courts.

I would never walk into such an establishment, simply because of the name.

Words mean things. Being an older person, I think gay is great word to describe a certain level of joy and happiness. I am aware that if I named a club "The Gay Spot" that most of my clientele would not get my meaning because the older meaning of the word has been all but lost. Now, if I am at a party and say, "I am feeling gay" after a few glasses of wine, very few would think I was talking about happy, even those my age.

I will defer to Hispanics. If they think the name is racist, then they are right.

Words have meanings.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

51. It isn't up to them to defend anything

If the whiners want to protest, let them protest and let the market decide.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

The market is not always right.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

them in all that time if they were truly called racist.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

63. In one article I read

the owner said he heard the same complaints when he opened a location in Ft. Collins, CO. Glad to see he didn't back down then, and hope he doesn't this time.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

59. Like the whiny students

you're certainly entitled to your opinion. I think it's laughable that anyone would suggest a lawsuit should be filed over this or that a license to operate should be denied or revoked.

The students are offended? Big fucking deal. Time to put on their big boy/girl pants and stop expecting the world to be their pacifier and blankie.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

My My

[SickOfTheOnePct]

69. It's a description of the students that are whining about this

regardless of their race, ethnicity, immigration/citizenship status or religion.

If the shoe fits...

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[Humanist_Activist]

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

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

85. I agree

when you find one, be sure to post about it and let us know.

Thanks in advance.

[Agnosticsherbet]

87. We've been posting about it. No advance warning needed.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

91. Where?

Is it on a different thread? Do you have a link?

Thanks again!

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

94. Sorry, I wasn't clear

I'm looking for the thread where an ugly, racist name is being discussed.

Do you have that link?

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

98. I don't form my opinions of what is or isn't racist

based on whiny college students who have nothing better to do than look for contrived reasons to be offended.

YMMV.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

104. As I said before

I'm directing at the whiny students...Hispanic, black, white, Asian, whatever.

If they don't want to be called whiny, they should, oh I don't know, stop whining?

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

108. And repeating yourself doesn't make you right

See, two can play at that game!

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

113. Nor did I

I'm not attacking all students, or all Hispanics.

I'm actually not even attacking - just stating that the students who are whining about the name of this restaurant are whiners.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

Or are you calling all of those people stupid for disagreeing with you.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

105. The fact that they disagree with me is irrelevant

That they're complaining about something so stupid makes them appear stupid themselves.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[Humanist_Activist]

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

of a chain restaurant that's been around for 20 years.

Also, I would say intent of the owner also matters is there evidence that Pete is racist?

[Agnosticsherbet]

112. Redskins was around longer than that, and that is racist.

There is not indication that "Redskins" was meant as a derogatory attack by the white people who decided to use it back when they had the privilege of using a word however they wanted to and those who didn't like it had not voice.

But Redskins is still racist.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

[Agnosticsherbet]

146. Hispanics and students do not agree with you.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

148. Big fucking deal

BTW, when you say Hispanics and student, you're assuming that all Hispanics and all students are offended by the name of the restaurant. Pretty broad brush...are you sure about that?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

82. You know what they say about opinions

Everybody has them.

[Agnosticsherbet]

84. Oh, they certainly do. n/t

[philosslayer]

53. Exactly, and very well put

I'll put it into the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. "All Lives Matter" sounds innocuous enough, but it is deeply offensive enough to those involved with the BLM movement.

[TM99]

102. Except you are wrong in this case.

The word illegal is not an exclusive to Hispanics. Lots of things are illegal. And last I checked, Pete is not a very common Hispanic name.

It if fucking ridiculous to allow groups or individuals to change the meaning of words just because they might get their feelings hurt.

Again, as I said, these kids need to grow up.

[X_Digger]

199. Take what case to which court? Hrmm? What law is broken when someone gets offended?

Is this some magical 28th amendment protecting the "Right to not be offended"???

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

If Hispanics and students feel it is racist, they should take the government organizations that issued their business license.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

201. You're still pushing this stupid idea?

The word "Illegal" is not racist...

If these students are our future, we're fucked.

[Agnosticsherbet]

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

[SickOfTheOnePct]

203. Our future is fucked

in the hands of whiny crybullies who believe the world needs to cater to their tender feelings and overactive sensitivities.

[X_Digger]

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

What section of code is violated when your feefees are owchy?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

205. Um, that would be

tender feefees, thank you very much.

[Travis_0004]

32. I have no problem with it

Pete is not a hispanic name, its the name of the owner.

If the food is good, I would go there.

[TM99]

36. Well this is getting so sadly ridiculous.

It is not on school property, so no, they have no recourse. Period.

It is not about illegal immigrants for pete's sake!

This is truly getting silly. If these kids are that desperate for 'safe spaces' they really need to go back to high school and their families. College is a transition between childhood safety and the real world which is not always so safe, especially emotionally & psychologically. That is a part of growing up.

[olddots]

40. change the name to Jock Straps

problem solved ..........

[Cal Carpenter]

41. What odd framing for an article

Why would something like this be the responsibility of the university, who doesn't own the property or have anything to do with the liquor license, permits, etc?

Not to mention the backstory of the restaurant and the name, which has nothing to do with immigration, and there are already multiple locations.

And, looking at the website for the restaurant chain, looks like they prioritize wages for workers more than most food service places.

I despise the use of the word 'illegal' to describe a person, and I'm not trying to defend what looks like tone-deafness as far as the name of the business, but this controversy comes across as sorta contrived.

[rufus dog]

46. From an ASU graduate during rivalry week.

So I have absolutely no reason to support UofA, but it is not their property.

[romanic]

47. The "Illegal's" part of the name made me do a side-eye

but honestly I don't see the issue of a "white-owned" Mexican restaurant. Not every single restaurant that serves a certain type of food started with an owner from that exact origin of food itself. Hell back in Puerto Rico there are numerous restaurants owned by Chinese immigrants in the island (they sell a fusion called Puerto Rican-Chinese food; Mamposteao is the bomb! ) and vice-versa, many Puerto Rican chefs work in the Chinese restaurants.

So yeah aside from the name which may rub people the wrong way, I don't see the problem. Nor do I see why the university should have a say, it's not their property so it's not their problem to deal with.

[Crunchy Frog]

49. I thought the name looked familiar.

It was founded in 1995 in my hometown of Boulder CO. First restaurant was opened on the Hill, where all the businesses catering to students are concentrated.


Then he opened up other restaurants in the Boulder area. I've almost certainly eaten there before.

Boulder is a pretty PC area, so they likely wouldn't have survived there long if there was racist intent behind the name.

[Humanist_Activist]

52. So its a chain with a funny name? Could the article in question be any more ridiculous?

Seriously, the owners may want to think about a libel suit against Truthout for this piss poor article. They are either grossly lying or being purposefully ignorant. Hard to prove though.

[underahedgerow]

55. OMFG it's a CHAIN. Give me a break. Helicopter parenting much?

Yeebus people need to get an effing life.

If anyone is looking for 'secret racism' the name might be 'Illegal Pedro's" ffs.

[get the red out]

57. How?

I agree with everyone who said this isn't something the university can control. To me, this sounds like someone trying to piggy-back their concern on recent controversies over racism in university environment. They university has no more control over this restaurant than they would over a McDonald's next to campus.

[Humanist_Activist]

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

or intended as such.

Hell, unlike many places like this, they pay a living wage.

[Lizzie Poppet]

60. If, by the time they reach college age, your kids...

...are so weak-minded that a tasteless restaurant name can do them actual harm, then you* suck at parenting.

* generic "you," there...not directed at the OP!

[Throd]

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

Much arm flapping will ensue.

[muriel_volestrangler]

67. Is anyone apart from the article author talking about the "responsibility of the university"?

There's no indication anyone is. The petition is addressed to Pete Turner, not the university. It's written as coming from the student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/Chicano de Aztlan , but that doesn't mean it's about the 'responsibility of the university'.

Is the author, Roberto Cintli Rodriguez, dumb, a bad writer who has failed to explain what's happening, or just using a clickbait headline?

[Humanist_Activist]

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

going to be ignored, and yes the writing in this article sucks.

[HickFromTheTick]

70. America is supposed to be a free country...

Should be able to name your restaurant Hitler's Oven if you want to. Only thing is, who is actually stupid enough to do it? This guy, apparently. Surely he must have realized that "Illegal Pete's" carries a different connotation in the context of a partly Hispanic neighborhood.... He's either an arrogant racist or an extra-dumb restauranteur with an unlimited budget for window glass and fire-proof furnishings. Nothing to do with the university's jurisdiction, everything to do with him not thinking things through.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

78. He's used this name for 20 years

in Colorado. It's not like he came up with it just for Tuscon.

If enough people boycott the place, it will go out of business. That's how to handle this, not by trying to bully him into changing the name.

[Crunchy Frog]

100. His chain has thrived for 20 years

in Boulder CO, with that name.

In competition with scores of other Mexican restaurants, in a place that's known for its progressive politics.

And "dumb" restaurateurs don't survive long in Boulder.

This thread is making me hungry. I wish I was back in Boulder. I'd go there right now and get something.

[surrealAmerican]

73. Other than relocating their pep rallies ...

... there isn't much a university can do about it.

I live in a university town. I wouldn't want the university making decisions about what businesses are allowed to exist here. We have a mayor and city council for off campus issues.

[BlueJazz]

88. I would have thought about the name of the restaruant for 2.3 seconds.

The name could mean just about anything. I'd tell them to go fuck off.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

93. Same here

Well, I would have laughed at them first, then told them to fuck off.

[BlueJazz]

142. !

[hifiguy]

90. ZERO.

If it's not on university property the university has no control over it at all. Nor should it. Jebus riding a unicycle and juggling fish. This is even a question?

is wrong with these people?

[NaturalHigh]

96. The university has no responsibility or authority in the matter.

[Heeeeers Johnny]

97. Owner/founder sounds more like a progressive type.

Culture

Illegal Pete’s is involved in several facets of community involvement, including charity fund raisers like the “Smother Autism” campaign in April 2012,[7] which raised money for The Joshua School, “a Colorado-based, non-profit educational therapeutic day treatment center for children with an autism spectrum disorder and related developmental disabilities,” or the award-winning Pete’s Pints campaigns,[8] which raise money for local bands.

In September 2010, Illegal Pete’s started the Starving Artist program,[9] which feeds out-of-town musicians for free at Illegal Pete’s when they come through Denver or Boulder to play a show. Illegal Pete’s was voted as the Best Place to Eat and Hang Out with Rock Stars[10] by the annual Best of Westword of 2011. Illegal Pete’s began throwing Starving Artist SXSW showcases[11] in Austin in March 2011. Pete Turner was featured in a front page article of the Denver Post[12] on businesses spending marketing money on representing Denver at SXSW.

In July 2011, Illegal Pete’s launched “Greater Than” artist collective,[13] a non-traditional record label that works with Colorado bands. The label was the brain child of Pete Turner and Suburban Home Records owner for 17 years, Virgil Dickerson. Currently signed to the label[14] are Denver darkwave band Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, cello prog pop songwriter Ian Cooke, active rock Denver darlings The Epilogues, the belovedly crass comedian Ben Roy, and most recently the solo work of Paper Bird songstress Esmé Patterson.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Pete's#Culture

[Eleanors38]

116. Uh, none. NEXT!..... nt

[mwrguy]

118. The author is a professor of Raza studies, so I think he knows racism when he sees it

Someone here needs to whitesplain to him how he is wrong to feel this way.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

120. Or he looks for racism in every single thing he sees

whether it's really there or not.

There is more than enough actual racism in this country that needs to be dealt with. Wasting time on something so stupid is just that - stupid.

[Throd]

126. Or he may be a professional pantie-wadder.

For some people, finding offense in everything is a hobby.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

128. Yep n/t

[hifiguy]

145. Hobby, shit, it's a full-time

job/obsession for some people.

[TM99]

135. Well, then, where the fuck was

he for the last 20 years. That's how long Illegal Pete's has been around.

Does he only raise hell when it is in his space and not others? That seems rather selfish if he is serious with his intents. After all, why wasn't he standing up for Hispanics against this vile racist restaurant in CO for these last two decades?

[romanic]

141. Here we go with the "whitey vs everyone else" comment.

How boring.

[ShrimpPoboy]

129. What about "Illegal Burritos"?

We have a few here and I don't ever remember any controversy.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

131. Do you live in a college town? n/t

[ShrimpPoboy]

140. Not exactly

Lots of colleges here but NOLA is a lot more than that. They have them in Baton Rouge though, which is where i lived when i first saw them 10 years ago and its most definitely a college town. They also have one in Lafayette and one in Hattiesburg, MS-- both college towns.

It's actually "Izzo's Illegal Burritos", fwiw.

[linuxman]

136. Isn't it funny?

Some people see the word "illegal" and the first thing they think is "MEXICANS!!!"

But it's everybody else who is racist.

Yes, yes...everyone else...

[SickOfTheOnePct]

138. Excellent point n/t

[romanic]

144. To be fair

it is one of those words right-wingers have hijacked to mean Mexicans and said as much ad-nauseum on the MSM.

[linuxman]

150. To be fair,

Illegal arms
illegal guns
illegal drugs
illegal downloads
illegal hunting
illegal gambling
illegal daycare

All worn-to-death msm hot-button topics.

If someone hears "illegal" and you are convinced that the only thing on God's green earth they are talking about is Mexicans, regardless of this chain having been established 20 years ago in Colorado by a progressive (by all outward appearances) man and his son, which has always maintained that it doesn't have a damn thing to do with Hispanics, the problem is with the person making the claim of racism.

[romanic]

160. I see your point

and I somewhat agree now that you stated it. Words truly are a powerful thing and it seems many on the right like to hijack and twist the words to their liking.

[clarice]

137. Are we really getting THAT sensitive? Come on......nt

[hifiguy]

147. When your mission in life is finding

unbelieveably trivial shit to be outraged about, you can become outraged at the sight of a Snickers bar.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

151. Um, I'm offended by that

I love Snickers, and I don't appreciate the slight.

Why couldn't you have said Three Musketeers?

[hifiguy]

153. LOL. Just a random choice.

I'm a Reese's guy myself.

[clarice]

156. lol... I call it COS....constantly offended syndrome. nt

[linuxman]

157. And just what the FUCK is that supposed to mean???

[EL34x4]

217. Just be very careful when using the word "Snickers"

If you don't enunciate it clearly, it might come out sounding like something else.

[Bradical79]

149. Not sure if it was racist or just stupid

Pete claimed it was a literary reference to a bar in something he read as an English major in university. I have a hard time believing he didn't know the implications of naming a Mexican restaurant "Illegal" ------ though. Obviously the article is kind of dumb in that the place isn't on university property, so it's not an issue for the university to deal with.

[99Forever]

152. Political correctness goes outrage shopping.

Cripes people, get a grip.

[Bonx]

154. 2133 views, 1 rec

[Mosby]

158. Tucson has a history with this

Last edited Wed Nov 18, 2015, 04:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Greasy Tony's.

Yeah, it was an Italian place, for 30 years, right next to the campus.

[TipTok]

166. I wonder how these people even go outside....

... or have jobs outside of academia...

[Blue_Tires]

172. None...

As long as students don't patronize it, that place will be gone soon enough...

[SickOfTheOnePct]

173. Exactly n/t

[Travis_0004]

196. They have been in business 20 years

I would guess they know what they are doing.

[Blue_Tires]

214. Evidently they haven't been next to a major

college campus for 20 years...

[Crunchy Frog]

221. ROFL!

Their very first restaurant was established on "The Hill"; the area immediately adjacent to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where all of the off campus student housing is located, and all the businesses cater to the student population.

And Boulder is a VERY progressive college town. They did so well that they expanded to multiple other locations in Boulder, and Boulder does not lack for competition in Mexican restaurants.

Maybe you should try to learn a little bit before posting about something.

[Blue_Tires]

224. So if "Illegal Pete's" has existed this long in harmony

then why the outrage and controversy now?? Why is everybody demanding the UofA administration do something they don't have the legal power to do??

Yes, Boulder is a liberal college town, but they're always too high off the reefer smoke to be spurred into any real political action...

[cherokeeprogressive]

174. When do these kids have time to study?

[tammywammy]

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

[Liberal_in_LA]

183. Racist name! What was owner thinking?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

192. He was thinking

he would name this restaurant the same name as the rest of his chain...that have had the name for 20 years.

[Liberal_in_LA]

208. Ok. Time to change the name. Remember Sambos restaurants?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

210. Yep

And this is of course, completely different. The word "illegal" is not, in and of itself, a racist term.

The students need to grow up.

[Democat]

209. Why do these activists want to let right wingers win?

It's a word that means something isn't legal.

When American talk about "letting the terrorists win" by changing their way of life this is the same thing. You want to ban the word "illegal" in all contexts because some right wingers used it in one specific context?

The activists are giving power to those right wing groups.

[tritsofme]

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

Within 24 business hours...

[X_Digger]

195. *sigh* No. n/t

[Recursion]

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

They can avoid doing any business with the restaurant, but most universities have dedicated catering contracts anyways.

[Marr]

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

[Quantess]

213. They should just name their restaurant "Hitler's Tacos"

"Dr. Mengele's Mexican"
"Nacho Nazis"

[Kurska]

216. Cry bullies strike again

The owner explained the restaurant name has nothing to with illegal immigrants (it was a reference to the owner being a trouble maker, seriously how many illegal immigrants are name "pete" or "peter" anyways. They are taking offense over a misunderstanding.

Meanwhile "Turner's hope is that he can direct the controversy to some of the positives the business does, including his Living Wage Initiative, which launched this year. He guarantees front-line employees a minimum of $17.11 an hour, or more than $35,000 a year, while managers earn upward of $52,500 a year. The company has roughly 300 employees at its seven locations.".

I'm sure these slacktivists would be happy to eat at a restaurant like Chiptole that offers slave labor wages, so long as no one's feelings are hurt! Lord preserve our precious delicate feelings.

[alarimer]

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

Am I to tell that fisherman the name of his boat is offensive (it kind of is but isn't the worst I have seen- that would be the "Bearded Clam." ) and not go on it to do my work?

Look, not a single one of us has a right not to be offended. And if you suffer psychological harm from such offense, you might as well never leave the house. In fact, I would recommend it, since you are such a fragile flower.

It's not that I think these business names should go unnoticed. By all means, protest away. Avoid spending money there and tell everyone you know not to spend money there.

[pstokely]

227. Are they planning an Illegal Pete's appreciation day?

nt

[Snow Leopard]

229. Hmm

Doesn't strike as racist. Nor does it rise to psychological harm , at least to any reasonable person. IMHO.

[Prism]

236. The university is responsible for educating students

And, apparently, if I'm reading the story correctly, they're not doing a bang up job.

Maybe focus on that.