Tending to Their Own Business
This piece from USA Today points out that some Muslim women have been pressuring businesses and public facilities to make accommodations for their interpretation of their faith, which requires strict separation of the sexes.
It's funny that this piece would come out the same week as controversy ensues about requirement from the owner of Geno's Steaks that English be spoken in his restaurant. And it's worth wondering: If businesses choose not to segregate the sexes in Philadelphia, will the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations deem that discrimination, as well, given that the ban will discourage those of a certain background (i.e. Wahhabist, for example) from patronizing that business?
To me, the same principle applies. The business owner should have the right to run his business as he sees fit -- requiring the use of English or Spanish, co-ed or single-sex -- so long as the decision isn't animated by an effort to invidiously discriminate against certain groups of people based on certain immutable characteristics.
It's funny that this piece would come out the same week as controversy ensues about requirement from the owner of Geno's Steaks that English be spoken in his restaurant. And it's worth wondering: If businesses choose not to segregate the sexes in Philadelphia, will the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations deem that discrimination, as well, given that the ban will discourage those of a certain background (i.e. Wahhabist, for example) from patronizing that business?
To me, the same principle applies. The business owner should have the right to run his business as he sees fit -- requiring the use of English or Spanish, co-ed or single-sex -- so long as the decision isn't animated by an effort to invidiously discriminate against certain groups of people based on certain immutable characteristics.
posted by LadybugUSA at 10:45 AM
5 Comments:
Someone called into the Rush show yesterday and commented that the statement made by the HR Commission didn't specify any particular language...did that mean that in order to be in compliance with their idea of non-discrimination that every restaurant would have to have on hand at every hour they were open a person who was able to translate every possible language that might be spoken by any person who might enter their place of business? When you phrase it in those terms, it really does show how absurd it is...!
See...even you make the assumption that Spanish is the "other" language...but there are _many_ people in the US that speak english and xxx language. Why discriminate against those who don't speak english _or_ spanish!
(by the way, I live in So.Calif, and speak english and german. If I applied for a job that required me to be bilingual, I'd qualify, but I bet that wouldn't be what they wanted!)
"...so long as the decision isn't animated by an effort to invidiously discriminate against certain groups of people based on certain immutable characteristics."
Which seems to be the case with Geno, immutable or not. But that's his prerogative. Keep fighting the "good" fight, Carol.
Suek makes me laugh, in a good way:
"...but there are _many_ people in the US that speak english and xxx language."
xxx language is getting more and more permissible in public!
I thought it was interesting that a bar in Colorado Springs is getting ready to open called "Blondies", and all the waitresses are blond (I suppose it's permissible to use a wig).
Joey Vento is the owner of Geno’s Steaks. That means it is HIS business and he can do wherever he likes. If some immigrant can't order his/her lunch in the way that is prescribed, I guess he/she doesn’t eat at Geno's. I know there are other places in Philadelphia to eat. Some of the bleeding heart liberals just don't get it. Kudos to Joey.
I understand no one has been turned away. If they can’t speak English, someone will help them “LEARN” the proper way to order. Joey has a great deal of support out here. I have a post at my blog about this and other issues
Please feel free to stop by and read my perspective on this and other issues.
http://texastruth.blogspot.com
>>xxx language is getting more and more permissible in public! >>
ok ok... That wasn't what I meant, and you know it...
But it _is_ pretty funny!
What's more, I agree with you!
>>"...so long as the decision isn't animated by an effort to invidiously discriminate against certain groups of people based on certain immutable characteristics.>>
Inability to speak english is an immutable characteristic????
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