It instantly caused outrage across his community, stirring up racial tension when a New Jersey shop owner decided that he was going to hang a sign in the window of his store because he was proud of his own heritage.
Anyone who passes by Jimbo’s Deli on Main Street can see the sign that reads “Celebrate your white heritage in March. White History Month,” No matter what race or religion you belong to, according to Jim Boggess, owner of Jimbo’s Deli in Flemington, you should be able to be proud of who you are.
However, in a report to NJ.com, the sign received a huge amount of backlash, with people even going as far as saying that there were Ku Klux Klan representations in it.
The shop owner says the sign was intended to be, “a white thing but people read more into it than that.”
“I just want to be included. Why is this such a big deal? I don’t get it. I love everybody, and everybody should celebrate what they are. I shouldn’t have to feel bad about being white,” he said.
Jim noted that there are many other groups who get to celebrate their heritage and wondered why he can’t. If there’s any racial discrimination going on, Jim says that it’s from people who object to his sign because he’s white. He stated that despite the backlash, he is now the victim of racism.
His woes began when a customer complained about the sign, according to Mediaite, Bhakti Curtis, who is bi-racial and a former customer said that when he saw the sign, Chris was offended and that he felt harassed by it, he then filed a complaint with the Flemington police, because the sign is “mocking Black History Month.”
Following the complaint, an officer visited Jimbo’s, examined the sign, and spoke with Boggess before concluding that no further police action was necessary because the sign was neither offensive nor racist.
Curtis said, “A business can’t go putting racist signs in the window because everybody has a right to go in that store, Everybody! And have a right to buy something from that man and not feel demoralized or degraded.”
“I’m black, Irish and Polish, but I look black. I grew up in a white family, and I love white people. I just hate racism,” Curtis added noting that although he has a problem with White History Month he said he is part white.
Jim Boggess ended up apologizing to Bhakti Curtis and taking the White History Month to sign down, as proof of their restoration of harmony in their little corner of the world, Curtis who accepted the apology suggested that he and Boggess pose for a photo.
Furthermore, he was bothered by what people were saying about Bhakti Curtis, a friendly acquaintance of his for some time. Despite receiving hundreds of letters of support from across the country, Boggess’ deli was losing customers. He was forced to close his company.
Jim Boggess said, “I never meant it to be a black/white thing. I only meant it to be a white thing.”
Watch the video below:
Sources: Taphaps, NJ.com, opposingviews