Updating our Jun. 12, 2006 entry: “The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations notified Geno’s owner Joey Vento this week that it had found probable cause that his sign urging patrons to order in English is discriminatory. The next step is to schedule a hearing to settle the dispute or to escalate the charges against the owner of the South Philadelphia sandwich stand.” Vento, who has enlisted on his behalf the Southeastern Legal Foundation, the conservative public-interest law outfit, says he has never actually declined anyone’s order because it was not made in English, but the commission contends the sign could nonetheless make non-English-speakers feel unwelcome or discriminated against. (Andrew Maykuth, “Stakes get higher for Geno’s”, Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 9).
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{ 7 comments }
If someone cannot read the sign (and they still get their sandwich), how can they feel “unwelcome” or “discriminated” against?
It strikes me as both funny and sad that the Philly commission on human relations feels that this sign may make those who don’t speak English feel unwelcome or discriminated against. I would venture that most people who can not order in English probably can’t read it either. So they’ll never feel unwelcome because they can’t read the sign.
From “The Philadelphia Inquirer”
“The Human Rights Commission apparently is alleging (Geno’s Steaks) violated a section of the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance that prohibits the owner of a public accommodation from putting up a sign aimed at “any specific group” to make its members feel discriminated against or unwelcome.
It is a restriction of free speech in a public place. Not sure what the laws are about that but the English Only laws should all be rejected or we are in real trouble.
Amsterdamsky. It is not restricting free speech and it is not a public place.
People are free to order in any language they wish. The host of the establishment is free to understand or not understand any language he wishes. If his only language is english then he cannot reasonably be expected to accept an order not placed in english. Failing to speak english is not a handicap that requires special accomodation by private individuals. If an individual were to show up at your place of business speaking swahili would you be required to accomodate this by obtaining a translator at your own expense?
His is a place of public accomodation because it invites the public into his privately owned space. There is nothing public otherwise about his establishment
I heartily second what nevins said.
The law in question is not an “English only” law, it’s a “no language may be required” law (which, I am compltely certain, is not nforced in a manner that remotely resembles “evenly”).
What language is the story written in? What language are all the comments in?
English is the language of the United States. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous.
Having said that, I do not doubt Mr. Vento will lose. The first two comments correctly point out that non-English speakers cannot logically be made uncomfortable by a sign they cannot read. Unfortunately, logic has nothing to do with this case. Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos. Puedo tomar su orden?
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