Colorado Restaurant Plans ‘White Appreciation Day’
MILLIKEN, COLO., May 8 (UPI) — The owners of a Colorado barbecue restaurant said they are planning a “White Appreciation Day” in June to give discounts to their Caucasian customers.
Edgar Antillon and Miguel Jimenez, the Hispanic owners of Rubbin Buttz BBQ in Milliken, said white customers who come in June 11 will be offered a 10 percent discount for “White Appreciation Day.”
“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.”
The restaurant owners said news of “White Appreciation Day” has resulted in some harsh criticism online.
“Although we’ve had overwhelming support for it, there are a few who are filled with hate and/or misunderstanding. People full of hate and negativity want your attention, don’t give it to them. Stay happy!” they said in a post on the eatery’s Facebook page.
Ricardo Romero, a local civil rights activist and community organizer, described the plans as “perpetuation of racism.”
“It’s wrong. If you’re going to give a discount, give it to the whole community,” Romero said.
Jennifer McPherson of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies said the promotion might be illegal.
“If someone felt like they were being discriminated against, they could come to the civil rights division and file a complaint in our office, and we would investigate that,” she said.
Antillon said the promotion is meant to bring people together rather than single them out.
“We’re all American, whether you came from a different country or you were born here,” Antillon said. “We’re all American.”
