There are many slangs that are historically offensive, and in a time when we really
didn't care a shit about anything that was offensive to others; and were protected by
the law or should I say "non-law". Laws will never change the heart of man, but it does
suggest that it is not morally OK for these offensive terms, that in some way, denigrates
or historically denigrated a racial group with respect to human dignity and perception
Philly restaurant Chink's changes offensive name
Owner Joe Groh felt the time had come, but some customers are accusing him of caving to political correctness.
By Jonathan Berr 4 hours ago
For more than six decades, residents of Philadelphia's Wyomissing neighborhood only associated Chink's Steaks with one thing: the artery-clogging sandwiches made famous by the City of Brotherly Love.
Then in 2004, an Asian-American student complained to owner Joe Groh that the name was offensive. Nine years later, Groh decided the time had come to change it.
As The Philadelphia Inquirer and other local media organizations reported, Chink's is changing its name to Joe's Steak and Soda Shop. Some of the restaurant's customers are not pleased with the change, accusing Groh of caving to political correctness. About 10,000 of them signed a petition urging Groh to keep the Chink's name.
For what its worth, "Chink" was the off-color nickname bestowed upon the shop's original owner, Samuel Sherman, because of his "almond eyes." Sherman wasn't Asian. Groh bought the shop from Sherman's widow in 1999.
As The Philadelphia Inquirer and other local media organizations reported, Chink's is changing its name to Joe's Steak and Soda Shop. Some of the restaurant's customers are not pleased with the change, accusing Groh of caving to political correctness. About 10,000 of them signed a petition urging Groh to keep the Chink's name.
For what its worth, "Chink" was the off-color nickname bestowed upon the shop's original owner, Samuel Sherman, because of his "almond eyes." Sherman wasn't Asian. Groh bought the shop from Sherman's widow in 1999.
"It was a tough decision," Groh told MSN in an interview. "I mulled that over for a few years."
Customers who are upset about the name change will eventually realize that everything else about the shop, such as the staff and the sandwiches, is still the same, he said.
Groh's move earned him praise from Pennsylvania state Sen. Mark Cohen, who told the Inquirer, "I understand people who want the past to govern the present, but there comes a point when you have to be responsive to changes that exist in the city."
Even big companies, though, have to be sensitive to cultural considerations. Lego was forced to withdraw a Star Wars toy set depicting Jabba the Hut's palace after Turkish Muslims raised objections because it looked like a mosque, according to the U.K.'s Mail.
Groh's move earned him praise from Pennsylvania state Sen. Mark Cohen, who told the Inquirer, "I understand people who want the past to govern the present, but there comes a point when you have to be responsive to changes that exist in the city."
Even big companies, though, have to be sensitive to cultural considerations. Lego was forced to withdraw a Star Wars toy set depicting Jabba the Hut's palace after Turkish Muslims raised objections because it looked like a mosque, according to the U.K.'s Mail.
--Follow Jonathan Berr on Twitter at @jdberr.
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