Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Brick and I went out to breakfast this morning.  It was Martin Luther King day and he had it off. 

We went to our favorite breakfast spot in town.  We've always liked this place. The food is good and the service is okay.

While were standing at the register paying for our meal, I heard one of the servers ask the owner in back of the register:  "But why do we have THAT as a special, George?  No one will order collard greens!"  His response was "I've been against this damn holiday for years.  The only thing King did for this country was to get shot.  Since I can't do anything else, this is what I serve as a special every Martin Luther King day in protest."

I glanced at the special board.  On it was listed: 


I instantly became incensed.  Most of you know me as very calm and thoughtful. But it is not good to discriminate or show bigotry in front of Cindi.  I loudly told off the owner in front of a packed house.

"How dare you show such bigotry? What makes you think you can protest this holiday which remembers a man who fought for personal rights and freedoms for ALL people by serving fried chicken and watermelon? How can you, an owner of a restaurant in our community that depends on tourism, do something so blatantly stupid?  What makes you think that MLK did nothing for this country?  You are white, sir.  And you are officially part of a minority here in California.  Think about it.  You'll be on the receiving end soon enough.  You had better hope no one remembers what you are truly like.  I intend to write a letter to the editor and to the chamber of commerce. I'm about to give you one million dollars worth of free publicity. I hope your business folds from the fallout."

I know that my face had flushed red with righteous anger. I realized that I had lost my cool and turned to face all the patrons in the restaurant. They exploded with cheering and applause.  After which, they all got up in the middle of their meals, paid, and left right behind those that had been waiting for a table.  The entire restaurant emptied in less than a couple minutes.

Now that, my friends, was a religious experience!
AMEN!

Cindi

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

I wish

I wish

I wish I were there with my video camera to document the event!  That would've been TV WORTH watching!

Way 'ta GO! Cindi!!!

For the others here, I've met Cindi in person.  She was likely heard in the toilets and in the far corners of the establishment when she gave her soliloquy.

Do follow through, and write those letters.  Hell, I'd like to see features in one of the valley newspapers on the incident.  You set an example more of us need to follow, and stood up and were counted for your beliefs and morality!

Karen

Way to go, Cindi, I'm proud of you. Too many of us don't have the guts to speak up.

Dennis

I went to the chamber of commerce website for their address to get this letter sent off.  This restaurant is proudly touted as the business of the month!  I had to rewrite the letter.

Signed, sealed, and in the mail.  Oh... I'm still burning over this.

Cindi

Fing Aunt Cindy. That's is awesome. :) You continue to be my personal hero.

During my time in Mississippi, I was always stunned by the open racism.

Bri

Allright Cindi!!!  *Huggles and spins around*

Its actions like that that make me proud to be an american  :D.... its not often I feel that way anymore...
When I was in the 6th grade I gave a speach on MLK Jr Day, allot of people said "but your white"  and I said, but Im still the minority here... (One of 3 white kids in my entire grade, and 9 out of the entire school)  People that dont understand discrimination will allways be a bane upon our society.... follow through and put that jerk out of buisness!!!

3 cheers for cindi!!

 :o WOW!! Now, THAT is VERY screwed up indeed. How, anyone could do something so stupid as to be such a blatant idiotic racist moron is just mind-boggling. Cindi, you did the right thing by telling that bigot off. I am very proud of you.  ;D

That restaurant owner is sick. I would have (and I am) upset too. Still trying to wrap me mind around the though that there are still races bigots like that out there. That is one sick person.

I really like the way you handled the situation Cindi. Way to go girl.
The restarurant owner will think twice before he publicly says or does something like that again.

So do you have a new favorite breakfast spot in your town?
I'd say you have effectivly killed that bussiness.
Jillieann

I'm proud to call you friend.  There are not many who have the courage of their convictions.

Keep us posted hon.

Steph

Forgive my ignorance but what's the significance of the menu items he selected?

Way to go Cindi.  That brought some tears to my eyes.  When I was reading the menu, my jaw literally dropped.  That was awful.

Quote from: Nikki_W on January 16, 2007, 07:39:28 AM
Forgive my ignorance but what's the significance of the menu items he selected?

Realize that this is in California.  They chose dishes that are stereotypically associated with black people and purposefully misspelled them like whites used to do to make fun of blacks' speech because back when there was slavery, they had to learn from one another with no formal education.  Somebody else could probably explain better than me, but that's the gist of it.  Basically they were praising slavery.

Melissa

Applauded.  That shows major balls...er, guts!  ;)

 
I love you so much for what you did!

Kudos forever!

Kisses....

Wow, I dont think I would ever have the courage to stand up and speak out about something like that !!  But then again, when you hear something like this in person and it causes a reaction like you describe then maybe its something you dont even think about !!

Becky
xx 

Cindi, I sure don't want to be on your bad side. WOW, what a girl. I'm clapping for you right now. You are amazing. I grew up in a very bigoted family that discriminated against blacks and others who were different. I learned the hard way that my family told a lot of lies. So I get involved in the MLK day every year. I march with everyone and meet a lot of interesting people as I walk. I hear the speaches that are old and some new. Makes me very warm and fuzzy inside.
Sheila

Yay Cindi - you go girl! :)

Cindi,

Did it right, girl!  Keep it up.  Isn't it kinda sad when this reaction is seen as rare?  We should all be doing this.

Great job, and good example.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg115.exs.cx%2Fimg115%2F7404%2Fyes2bb.gif&hash=dbbe7ae6c7ae15fde3d06185c5f52c05231d4000)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Wow, Cindi.  Not much I can add to what everyone else said.  I couldn't believe the menu items, either.  Thanks for sharing!  I have to agree with others... too many of us are apathetic about things that matter.  Way to go.

Joseph

 You go girl. I am amazed by the open bigitry that still goes on. That really makes me upset and I would have been too had I been there....That should have made the news....  Your a hero to me now Cindi..BTW you look great.....


Linda Ann

Love being female :angel:

Cindi,

You go, girl!  I am proud of you and the stand you took!

If Dr. King was alive today, I would like to think that he would be championing for us as well.

Chaunte

Cindi.. Way to go i am not in favor of biggotry or racism..
the restaurant guy is a jerk.. sadly enough you heard the conversation so you knew his intentions were unjust and biggoted..
More sadly enough a lot of restuarants actually try to run "african amercian foods (or at least their ignorant versions) on Martin Luther king day.....
But the holiday is not a food holiday and its an insult to most african american folks in the first place.  its well I'm not sure if its religious at all for the African amercian movement but its a rememberance day for the things he tried to do and change.
sadly.... even more so- some african amercians are just as ignorant to Martin luther king.. at work we have black employees that are offended if we do not change the menu and feature something native?  how twisted around can this get??
I generally add / offer something in memorial like advertise butter crumb chicken a favorite dish of Doctor Kings, then offer greens and maybe jumbalaya or a chicken or southern style of a soup.. Keeps the mini masseas at work happy and keeps me politically correct food wise!
As far as i know its not a food holiday or one enammered with the awful southern black dishes that people mention fried chicken, watermelon, greens, etc...
How sad.. Do people even realize those are native southern dishes not "black dishes"....??????
But because of such biggotry and racism in this country things like fried chicken get turned into a labelled item? Shame i love fried chicken and greens and grits and black beans and pinto beans and black eyed peas!
Emeril does a good job of educating on his cooking show he is from the south and a lot of his dishes are southern or creole not that mistaken "african amercian food"....
anyway sorry you had to hear and even be exposed to this?  California no less i thought there was not much of the race issues existing there anymore???
Ricki

Way to go Cindi for telling it like it is! Sometimes I can't believe the attitudes that some people still have, it's the 21st century...

zythyra

Great job, Cindi.  That was beautiful!

As a follow up....

My letter to the editor was published in the local paper.  I've received numerous calls and emails from many people.  I've heard nothing but support from locals.  Everyone I've heard from is ashamed that this sort of thing exists here. 

Cindi

career opportunity..
cindi the food critic with her weekly column! hehe..... :laugh:
ricki

Oh wow, you were really great, Cindy... They really deserve that.

Sylvia

QuoteI instantly became incensed.  Most of you know me as very calm and thoughtful. But it is not good to discriminate or show bigotry in front of Cindi.  I loudly told off the owner in front of a packed house.

"How dare you show such bigotry? What makes you think you can protest this holiday which remembers a man who fought for personal rights and freedoms for ALL people by serving fried chicken and watermelon? How can you, an owner of a restaurant in our community that depends on tourism, do something so blatantly stupid?  What makes you think that MLK did nothing for this country?

You sort of answered your own question to him.

Although I complelty agree with you and think this guy is a disgusting bigot, it is his right to be a bigot, its his business, and his right to run the place the way he wants. Just as it was Martian Luther Kings right to fight for personal rights and freedom for all. This right to freedom, means everyone's rights, even the bigot. We live in a Republic that respects the opions of everyone and we have many freedoms, but they do come with a price, it means that we have to take the bad with the good.

As enlightened people we have the right to rail against stupidity like this, but at the same time this guy has the right to be stupid. It was right to stand up and say what you did, and it was good, because you belive in being fair and accepting, but he did have the right to serve whatever food he wanted and he had a right to think however he wanted to think. This is America and this is what its all about. As long as we have the rights and freedoms that we have, there is always going to be someone's beliefs that don't agree with ours, but its all of our right to think the way we think, and thats why we are a Republic, and thats what makes us great even if we have to have good and bad.

-pass-   

Quote from: passiflora on February 15, 2007, 03:23:52 PM
Although I complelty agree with you and think this guy is a disgusting bigot, it is his right to be a bigot, its his business, and his right to run the place the way he wants. Just as it was Martian Luther Kings right to fight for personal rights and freedom for all. This right to freedom, means everyone's rights, even the bigot. We live in a Republic that respects the opions of everyone and we have many freedoms, but they do come with a price, it means that we have to take the bad with the good.

Sounds like a paradox there.  If you don't give others the right to take away your rights, then you are taking away their rights, but if you do give them the right to do that, then you lose your own rights.  You got that, right? ;)

Melissa

 ;) LOL ur right, its a paradox, and thats why I just try and stay out of politics and I try to be open and accepting, and nice to everyone, and I try my best to steer away from closed mindeness.

-pass-

Quote from: passiflora on February 15, 2007, 03:23:52 PM

QuoteI instantly became incensed.  Most of you know me as very calm and thoughtful. But it is not good to discriminate or show bigotry in front of Cindi.  I loudly told off the owner in front of a packed house.

"How dare you show such bigotry? What makes you think you can protest this holiday which remembers a man who fought for personal rights and freedoms for ALL people by serving fried chicken and watermelon? How can you, an owner of a restaurant in our community that depends on tourism, do something so blatantly stupid?  What makes you think that MLK did nothing for this country?

You sort of answered your own question to him.

Although I complelty agree with you and think this guy is a disgusting bigot, it is his right to be a bigot, its his business, and his right to run the place the way he wants. Just as it was Martian Luther Kings right to fight for personal rights and freedom for all. This right to freedom, means everyone's rights, even the bigot.

Oh yes.  And his customers have the right to bankrupt him by refusing to do business with a racist fool like him.

You have the right to choose your actions, but not to get out of dealing with their consequences.

Quote
We live in a Republic that respects the opions of everyone and we have many freedoms, but they do come with a price, it means that we have to take the bad with the good.

I think I know what you are trying to say.... but just to be clear:

I will respect the right of someone to have an opinion.... I will never say that I respect their opinion unless that respect is earned.

I will always publicly stand up against bigotry and racisim.  Yes, he has the right to do what he wants.  I have the right to express my outrage at his insensitivity.  I really don't care what he thinks to be quite honest.  I just don't want him expressing it to our visitors here in this tourist community.  It reflects poorly on me.

For what it is worth, we have very few white southern Baptists who come to see Yosemite.  Our visitors are from every part of the world.  All of their money is green. ;)

Cindi

edit: Did you fix the quote tag, Cindi, or did I? -Karen

Cindi, I just now read this thread and all I can add to what others have already said is is Brava!!!!  (Insert Standing Ovation Here)

Quote from: Chaunte on January 19, 2007, 08:14:37 PM
If Dr. King was alive today, I would like to think that he would be championing for us as well.

I would like to think so too.  I know that the late Corretta Scott King was a friend of the LGBT community, met with members of Transaction here in Atlanta and, unlike many of the current civil rights leaders, was sympathetic to our struggle for equality

Bev

Cindi, I just learned another thing about that makes me respect you even more.

What you did will have much farther reaching impact than just on this man and his restaurant.  You've affected the entire community and it will spread from there. 

You should be proud for what you did.  I'm proud to call you my friend.

Julie

I do not think i like the word paradox..
Is that like a big brewing pot of overly cooked hypocricy?
:icon_ashamed:
Failing to do what one believes to be right is not hypocrisy
ricki

and i thought we germans were freaky

Quote from: Lilly 4 Life on February 17, 2007, 07:52:27 AM
and i thought we germans were freaky

I just HAVE to to answer this one...

Having been raised by a pair of them I have to say, yup, Germans ARE freaky! (Some large parts have rubbed off on me even though I'm 'merican all the way :D )

hugs & smiles
helen

BUT there is one thing americans can't deny, all your ancestors were Europeans... (i'm not talking about the native ones =D) :D

There was a comedian in TV lately who often visits america and he said that once he tried to buy a gun for actually no reason and the gunshop clerk just asked him if he was a nazi < how stupid is that



btw... "HOORAY I'M HALF-FREAKY"

Quote from: Lilly 4 Life on February 17, 2007, 09:55:20 AM
BUT there is one thing americans can't deny, all your ancestors were Europeans

Yep, all my ancestors were either English, Scot or Irish.  I keep wanting to start a fight with myself. 

GD&R
Bev

Quote from: BeverlyAnn on February 17, 2007, 01:57:40 PM

Yep, all my ancestors were either English, Scot or Irish.  I keep wanting to start a fight with myself. 

GD&R
Bev

Now that is funny!  ;) 

Cindi

from Melissa:  Posted on: February 15, 2007, 04:14:09 PM

QuoteSounds like a paradox there.  If you don't give others the right to take away your rights, then you are taking away their rights, but if you do give them the right to do that, then you lose your own rights.  You got that, right?

The Girl has the definition of paradox down tight there.  And ... the definition presents the position of many who, finding their statements challenged, insist that so being so audacious as to challenge them is a violation of their rights!  (Not directed to any member of the forum, by the way.)

from Ricki:  Posted on: Today at 06:09:30 AM

QuoteFailing to do what one believes to be right is not hypocrisy

How true and wonderful.  I can add nothing.

Susan Kay

2 wharves = 1 paradox.

Quote from: Lilly 4 Life on February 17, 2007, 09:55:20 AM
BUT there is one thing americans can't deny, all your ancestors were Europeans... (i'm not talking about the native ones =D) :D

Yep, 15 out of every 16 of mine were. :D

Quotebtw... "HOORAY I'M HALF-FREAKY"

Same here.

Cindi  Great Job

i ran across this quote that seemed fitting.

QuoteEach time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. That ripple builds others. Those ripples—crossing each other from a million different centers of energy—build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice.

–Senator Robert F. Kennedy, 1966

KateAlice

Quote from: Lilly 4 Life on February 17, 2007, 09:55:20 AM
BUT there is one thing americans can't deny, all your ancestors were Europeans... (i'm not talking about the native ones =D) :D

Did I miss something?  ??? Are only WASPs true American? What about the descendants of Asians, Africans, Middle-Eastern, Oceania and other ethnic groups? Are they not Americans too?  Is there any secret plan for mass deportation or internement?

L&R
Maebh

Quote from: Maebh on February 22, 2007, 10:12:06 PM
Is there any secret plan for mass deportation or internment?

L&R
Maebh

With the current Theocracy we have, I wouldn't doubt it if they thought they could get away with it.

Bev

Quote from: umop ap!sdn on February 18, 2007, 02:30:33 AM
2 wharves = 1 paradox.

<giggle>

Always room for a good pun.

Anyway, I think the quote goes something along the line of "Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."

Bravo for standing up to such a bigot.  I hope we can all take inspiration from your actions.

Quote from: Maebh on February 22, 2007, 10:12:06 PMWhat about the descendants of Asians, Africans, Middle-Eastern, Oceania and other ethnic groups?

Oops, I forgot about them too. And in this of all threads....  :( :icon_redface:

Quote from: b/d on February 22, 2007, 10:55:24 PM

Quote from: umop ap!sdn on February 18, 2007, 02:30:33 AM
2 wharves = 1 paradox.

<giggle>

Always room for a good pun.

I forget where I saw that one but there was a whole list of 'em. :)

Like Paul Harvey would say for the rest of the story "now you know why Heinz named it's famous sauce -heinz-57 sauce" for all the flavors poured in!
well the melting pot was already taken
sorry-ruff ruff :D
Ricki

Quote from: Ricki on February 23, 2007, 06:48:23 PM
Like Paul Harvey would say for the rest of the story "now you know why Heinz named it's famous sauce -heinz-57 sauce" for all the flavors poured in!
well the melting pot was already taken
sorry-ruff ruff :D
Ricki

Oh, I just thought it was their 57th attempt. :P

Melissa

Ha.  Ha ha.  HA!  HAAAA!

Oh man.  Oh wow.  Oh, that's just lovely.  I love it.  I'm in love.  Thank you for making my evening, Cindi.  That sort of open bigotry is truly outrageous, and I'd like to point out something very important that I observed here.

If, in fact, you hadn't make such a stirring and convincing speech, people would not have left the establishment like they did.  Even if they had heard him say it themselves.  A few may have lost their appetite, but...  yes.  Yes, this is a truly fabulous example of what fiery speech can do to rouse people.  Fabulous.

I often find myself wishing Hitler had been a good person.  What lovely things he could have done.

~ Blair

Quote from: Maebh on February 22, 2007, 10:12:06 PM

Quote from: Lilly 4 Life on February 17, 2007, 09:55:20 AM
BUT there is one thing americans can't deny, all your ancestors were Europeans... (i'm not talking about the native ones =D) :D

Did I miss something?  ??? Are only WASPs true American? What about the descendants of Asians, Africans, Middle-Eastern, Oceania and other ethnic groups? Are they not Americans too?  Is there any secret plan for mass deportation or internement?

L&R
Maebh

Well, but they didn't start America from the beginning they travelled there after. But yeah it's true in a way.

Quote from: Blair on February 27, 2007, 02:51:53 AM

Quote from: Blair on February 27, 2007, 02:51:53 AM
Ha.  Ha ha.  HA!  HAAAA!

Oh man.  Oh wow.  Oh, that's just lovely.  I love it.  I'm in love.  Thank you for making my evening, Cindi.  That sort of open bigotry is truly outrageous, and I'd like to point out something very important that I observed here.

If, in fact, you hadn't make such a stirring and convincing speech, people would not have left the establishment like they did.  Even if they had heard him say it themselves.  A few may have lost their appetite, but...  yes.  Yes, this is a truly fabulous example of what fiery speech can do to rouse people.  Fabulous.

I often find myself wishing Hitler had been a good person.  What lovely things he could have done.

~ Blair

Ha.  Ha ha.  HA!  HAAAA!

Oh man.  Oh wow.  Oh, that's just lovely.  I love it.  I'm in love.  Thank you for making my evening, Cindi.  That sort of open bigotry is truly outrageous, and I'd like to point out something very important that I observed here.

If, in fact, you hadn't make such a stirring and convincing speech, people would not have left the establishment like they did.  Even if they had heard him say it themselves.  A few may have lost their appetite, but...  yes.  Yes, this is a truly fabulous example of what fiery speech can do to rouse people.  Fabulous.

I often find myself wishing Hitler had been a good person.  What lovely things he could have done.

~ Blair

But it was good we are OVER with Hitler, now since "We learn out of mistakes" we don't vote for idiots like that anymore, besides, wasn't it good it already happened? I mean think it that way if that would've happened now we would suffer even more due to More heavy machinery and larger guns and atomic bombs.

Erm...  well, you see, my point was that charisma and passion drive people to action.  Hitler was very charismatic and passionate (about the wrong things entirely, but that's beside the point.)

It was a simple hypothetical that I mull over sometimes.

~ Blair

*Discontinues thread contamination*

Most cool response..... keep it up.

JaneX

Quote from: AnomieAssassin on March 03, 2007, 11:18:25 AM
Also, I really don't agree that nobody votes for idiots like that anymore. People are sheep, and (depending on the survival length of human beings), that situation could easily happen again.

Easily.  When a nation is already egotistical, then gets humiliated in a war, has their economy pretty much gutted, and becomes an object of ridicule, the citizenry become extremely pliable.  They're desperate and want their dignity back.  All it takes is one charismatic individual to shape things to their will and make promises of glory.  It's that easy.

I don't think something like that can happen in America, because the population is too diverse.  What's more likely here is another civil war, or possibly a revolution (best case scenario.)

I'm a radical!

~ Blair

Blair, read through your message... we've satisfied your criteria already to some degree.  Are we on the brink?  I'll agree with you that we have a ways to go.  I am hopeful that we are on the rebound to sanity.  I hope, I hope, I hope.

Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on March 04, 2007, 10:18:38 PM
Blair, read through your message... we've satisfied your criteria already to some degree.  Are we on the brink?  I'll agree with you that we have a ways to go.  I am hopeful that we are on the rebound to sanity.  I hope, I hope, I hope.

Cindi

I believe we are, Cindi.  People have demonstrated a desire to "do the right thing" for the most part and a distaste for war in the last thirty years or so.  I think it's becoming obvious to most that the path we're on right now is one that leads to nothing we'd want for our children.  Once everyone realizes how powerful they are (indeed, fear, depression, apathy and self-loathing are our biggest enemies), there's nothing we can't accomplish.

There are just two big demons we have to slay before we can make progress:  Fear and Ego.

Maybe I should just make a thread to preach in rather than hijack other people's threads.  I'm very rude.

~ Blair

My admiration. I've been fighting on my end for many people's rights, but infortunately one day I've realized: no one was fighting for mine. I was a woman, white, transgender, I got it from many minoritires, really for no reason - I wasn't even born in this country. Many an African male pushed me and stepped on me, when I went to the housing court, my file was mixed in with an Irish's person file, the judge, a mix, spoke to me horribly, made fun of my accent and forced me to take a translator. My ideas were stolen from under me, Spanish guys on the street called women who got in their way (they were walking like a thousand miles an hour) bitches and hoes. When I stood up for my rights, they pushed me aside so I almost fell and said "->-bleeped-<-ing white hoe." When I spoke back -they said they had more rights because they were born in this country adn I wasn't. In my neighborhood, the music plays on Sundays, the content is "get that hoe" "bitches are out of control." The name of the singers are many, but the style is one: rap. "Hoes should know their places" is the discussion by the local supermarket. This "white hoe" who is also a boy, coming in gets her/his way blocked. They rub against me. I can't say anything back, when I tried, do you know what they said to me? "What happened, are you a racist?"
"No, " I responded. "Your violating my right to privacy and freedom of being touched has no connection of my discrimination against you on the factor of your race. Besides, I still don't have to mate with you, because not being a racist does not regulate my sexual preferences."
Or does it now? Many girls I know I forced to date black guys to avoid the charge of racism. Why do I say forced? Because I have girlfriends that got pressured into dating black men...simply because they were black! "How can you decieve both yourself and him?" - I say. She responds: "Oh it doesn't matter..."
When this happens, I believe it is a sign of outright taking of advantage of what MLK has never intended. Regardless of his intent or not, I don't owe anyone anything of a positive action. \MY DUTY IS ONLY TO REFRAIN FROM NEGATIVE ACTION. But here violence is conducted against me. Neither I nor my parents came to this country for that.
I protest.
And I will make my voice heard.