No More Racist Signs: Shut Down Mulligan's!

Feed

Image 1 of 5

Author: Residents of Cobb against Mulligan\'s

Started: July 13, 2009, 2:15:12 am

Target: Mulligan's Food and Spirits in Marietta, Georgia

Category: Uncategorized

Supporters:

Goal:

1,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

Mulligan's Food and Spirits has tainted Marietta's reputation for too long. Last year, the restaurant made national news when the owner began selling t-shirts comparing Barack Obama to Curious George. Mike Norman, the restaurant's owner, insisted that he saw nothing racist in comparing Obama to a monkey, saying that the image was "cute." "Look at him," Norman said, "the hairline, the ears--he looks just like Curious George." Protests followed but soon dissipated. The restaurant remains open for business. It is time for this to change.

In addition to selling racist t-shirts, every day, Mike Norman posts ignorant, hateful, and racist messages on the restaurant's marquee. Here are a few examples of the deplorable sentiments that have appeared on the restaurant's sign:

"OBAMA: KINDA LIKE A CARAMEL DIPPED JIMMY CARTER--SPINELESS"

"I WISH HILLARY HAD MARRIED O.J."

"FEBRUARY: IT'S AWRIGHT TO BE WHITE MONTH!"

"DON'T FORGET TO PAY YER TAXES: 12 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RELY ON IT!"

"99% OF ALL ILLEGAL MEXICANS GIVE THE REST A BAD NAME: SE HABLA ENGLISH!"

"PUT GATERS IN THE RIO GRANDE"

"ILLEGAL ANCHOR BABIES EQUAL WELFARE! SEND UM BACK 4 THEY BREED!"

As a native of Cobb County, I have no patience or tolerance for this nonsense. Hateful and ignorant sentiments have no place in my hometown. No matter your political affiliation or ideology, incendiary statements like these are counterproductive and serve only to alienate valued members of the community. Marietta may not exactly be a bastion of progressive politics, but it can and should be a place where people are treated with respect and civility.

I suspect some of you may not see the immediacy or gravity of this issue. Here are a few possible counterarguments, each followed by my response:

1. "It's freedom of speech. Mr. Norman has every right to believe and display whatever opinions he holds."

True, the Constitution grants people the right to hold whatever beliefs they desire, however backward, ignorant, and hateful. Nevertheless, this freedom must not be mistaken for free license: there is no guarantee that one may voice these sentiments wherever and however they desire. While the government cannot shut down Mulligan's, as residents of Cobb County, we have every right to denounce and reject hate and racism in our midst. Moreover, we have every right to join in petition and protest of the restaurant's existence--until the restaurant is forced to close or relocate. Such denunciation is our constitutional right and is long overdue.

2. "He's just a Republican voicing conservative positions."

The views expressed by Mr. Norman may resemble positions held by Republicans and conservatives, but last I checked, the platform of the Republican Party contains no racist or incendiary language. Likewise, it is quite possible to express conservative opinions respectfully and intelligently, without recourse to bigotry. While it is perfectly acceptable for someone to oppose Barack Obama or to oppose illegal immigration, even vehemently, there is no need to employ hateful stereotypes or inflammatory rhetoric in advancing such views. Ignorance, prejudice, and racism cannot be excused by appeal to ideology.

3. "I don't see anything all that hateful here."

Perhaps you don't, but consider how either an African American or a Latino might feel when they see such hateful garbage. Like it or not, Marietta is a diverse and multicultural city. According to the latest Census estimates, 30 percent of Marietta residents are black and nearly 17 percent report being of Hispanic or Latino origin, and these residents have every right to expect a tolerant, respectful, and welcoming environment. Moreover, as residents of Marietta, we should expect nothing less. Mulligan's and its offensive signs betray this ideal, and our collective silence suggests that the town condones intolerance and bigotry. Marietta is a better place than our silence suggests, and it is time that we stand up for our fellow residents.

If you would like to let Mike Norman how you feel about his signs, I encourage you to contact him:

Mulligan’s Food and Spirits
698 Roswell St SE
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 499-1137

I urge you not to make a simple signature your only defiance. Contact your congressperson, write the Marietta Daily Journal, organize protests--simply put, do whatever it takes to shut down Mulligan's and reclaim Marietta. With your help, we can send a message to Mr. Norman, the residents of Marietta, and anyone who visits the place we call home: Marietta is no place for hatred and bigotry.

Thank you for your time.