Protest to show that love is stronger than hate -
August 19 @ 9pm -
Tastee Diner 8601 Cameron Street -
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Protest Guidelines:
Here are the guidelines for the protest below. We will be entering the restaurant at 9pm. We will all sit at tables together, and order one item from the menu no more than a $5 value. We will act orderly, and if you choose to show some sign of affection to the person you are with we ask that it be done tastefully. We want to observe there reactions if any to us. We will then proceed to the check out, to pay for our food. At that time we will engage in some gesture of affection. If you are unsure of the type of gesture please follow Simply Nay and Jay's lead. We will then leave the premises, still observing the behavior of the management.
* We are representing a cause - If you attend a protest thinking otherwise, reconsider your motives and purpose. We would like for this protest to be an enlightening experience for all involved. But remember that our main objective is informing the public that love is stronger than hate!
* Learn why we are there! - Do your homework. Take a moment to read the press release statement as well as the correspondence between Torian and the Tastee Diner. Have sources to back up what you say. Know why you are attending the protest. Spouting random comments at random people (while it may be funny) will make you look crazy and will distract from our objectives. Take maximum advantage of people's curiosity and make an effort to converse articulately.
* Stay cool - Anyone who accosts a protester has likely been sent to "bullbait" or otherwise "handle" the protests. While attempted disruption may irritate you please do not lose your temper. Stay above the bull-baiting, and if feeling intimidated or extremely angry, ask for intervention (i.e. blocking) from other protesters. Any uncontrolled behavior or angry shouting will harm the protest, tarnish our collective reputation, and possibly get you arrested for disorderly conduct (especially in Montgomery County).
* Do NOT fraternize with the enemy - For your safety and to maintain a clear boundary, do not accept food, touch, bathroom breaks, or any other offers of assistance. While we will be purchasing menu items WE WILL NOT BE EATING THEM! It's easy to transmit substances through adulterated food, and through touch, and allows the target positive PR. (i.e. "Look how nice we [Tastee Diner] are to those people.")
* Respect and cooperate with police officers - Even if you disagree with police directions, be respectful and polite. Montgomery County's police officers are there for everyone's safety, they should be understanding of our First Amendment rights — in large part because we will be easy to work with. Preserve a positive relationship. If they tell you to do something, please do it!
* Be cautious - Be extremely mindful of your surroundings both when arriving and leaving the protest area. Park in a safe but out of the way location. Do not go to your car if you are being followed, but go into a public building with lots of foot traffic and alert authorities/owners that you are being followed. If possible, come and go with someone trusted and known to you.
* Do NOT litter - Fliers and flimsy signs may rip or blow away if not firmly held. Make every effort to leave the protest area as clean as possible, or cleaner then when we arrived. Bags will be set up for food/drink garbage; please use them.
On Wednesday August 12, 2009 my companion and I were asked to leave the Tastee Diner located in Silver Spring, MD. At the time of this request, we were engaged in an embrace as we awaited the return of our server. A white male employee approached us saying, “Can you go outside with that?”. Having done nothing wrong, my partner and I were confused as to what he was referring to. Therefore, we ignored his initial statement and continued our conversation. This gentleman then proceeded to engage in an audible conversation with his colleague about how inappropriate it was for us to embrace as “this [Tastee Diner] is a family establishment and people are trying to eat”. To add insult to injury, our waitress followed us as we exited and apologized for her colleague’s behavior stating “they do that a lot and it’s embarrassing”. This statement alone indicates that this behavior is a common practice at this establishment. As a woman of color, I was immediately reminded of the stories I’d heard about the Civil Rights Era. But at this time in history, particularly in such a diverse location as Silver Spring, I could not fathom that I would be subjected to such blatant hatred. However, as a lesbian woman of color, it is apparent that I was mistaken.
Further research shows that the Tastee Diner is a pillar in the community. It has been open since 1935 and has three locations in Maryland. Tastee Diner has received awards and been featured in several local newspapers including the Washington Post. It is my belief that their bold ignorance should receive the same level of notoriety as the rest of their accomplishments. Dr. Martin Luther King said it best in his Letter form Birmingham Jail. In this writing he states:
“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, Questioning and Intersexed population consists of over 15 million people, and our buying power is over $744 MILLION.* Aside from this fact, we belong to a larger population…THE HUMAN POPULATION! Therefore it is our right to be treated with the same decency and respect as any other human being regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. I will not allow the ignorance and bigotry of any person, organization or place of business to force me into shame about my truth. I am a proud lesbian African American woman! Lesbians, Gays and Straight Allies alike I invite you to reject the lukewarm acceptance Dr King wrote about. Choose to stand with me on August 19, 2009 as we return to Tastee Diner and show them that love is stronger than hate!
Sincerely,
SimplyNay of Listen UP Live
Here is the email sent on Aug 12 to Tastee Diner
August 12, 2009
Torian Brown
Tastee Diner of Silver Spring
8601 Cameron Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910
To whom it may concern:
I wish to complain about the discrimination my friend and I experienced at your establishment last night at Tastee Diner 8601 Cameron Street Silver Spring, MD August 12th approx. 2am. We are two African American lesbians who dined and were treated very nicely by our waitress Tiffany once we paid our bill and were waiting to thank and tip our waitress Tiffany. While waiting my friend and I were embraced in a hug and talking. We were approached by the manger gentleman and were asked to leave. When we asked him what did he say he said would you "please leave and take that outside". When we asked "Why?" the other worker proceeded to say "people are trying to eat" and the manager stated it was inappropriate. I did not realize that two women hugging can disturb the persons eating experience and was inappropriate. My friend and I left without confrontation and talked about how saddened we were by this blatant discrimination because while we were in the establishment the couple (1 man and 1 woman) next to us shared a kiss while we were hugging and talking.
This was my first time dining at Tastee Diner and was deeply hurt and saddened by this discrimination. I will be boycotting your establishment and will inform others to do the same. I would like a written statement explaining your restaurant's position on this matter and what you will do about my complaint.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible about this issue. If I do not hear from you within 15 days I will file complaints with the appropriate consumer agencies and well as GLADD and the Human Rights Campaign. I may be contacted at the above address and phone number.
Sincerely,
Torian Brown
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His Response:
From: John Littleton
To:
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 11:31:38 AM
Subject: Tastee Diner
I was sorry to hear your complaint about your visit the other night.Our manager said he did not mean to offend anyone.Your business is always welcome here. Please feel free to come and talk to myself personally in the AM or come see Paul himself at night (The Manager Involved) and im sure you will see no disrespect was meant.
Thank You
John Littleton
General Manager
Tastee Diner Inc.
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Torian's Response to this email:
Mr. Littleton,
I wish to thank you for your response to my initial email. However, I must admit that I am still extremely concerned. I consider myself a fair minded individual and would like to provide you the opportunity to further elaborate on the appalling statements you made. You have asked that I “come in to see that no disrespect was meant”. However, you negated to mention any disciplinary action that has been taken against Paul for his inappropriate and unprofessional actions. Furthermore, no apology was given for these actions. You stated, “I was sorry to hear of your complaint” that is not an apology. This leads me to ask, if no disrespect was meant then what was meant? Initially, I thought that the hatred and bigotry that we encountered at Tastee Diner was limited to a select few employees. Your email has led me to believe that these ideals are apparently core company values. Frankly, your letter indicates that Tastee Diner supports the discriminatory words and actions that took place on Wednesday August 12, 2009. If I am mistaken, you will respond to this email indicating what has been or will be done to rectify this unacceptable situation and apologize accordingly. If not, you will respond explaining why you have a modified Jim Crow policy at Tastee Diner. I will await your response.
Regards,
Torian Brown
No response to date. |
