Philly's 'Order in English' Sign No Big Deal, Says English Language Advocate
by Chad Groening
June 14, 2006
(AgapePress) - - An English language advocate believes the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations must not have much to do these days. That is why he thinks it is has decided to investigate a complaint against a restaurant owner who posted a sign asking customers to order in English.Sixty-six-year-old Joey Vento opened Geno's Steaks of South Philadelphia 40 years ago. But six months ago he posted a sign that simply read: "This is America: When ordering, 'Speak English.'" Vento says he has not denied service to anyone and simply wants to encourage the large influx of Hispanics in his area to learn English. In fact, Vento says his staff are glad to help non-native speakers order in English.
"They don't know how lucky they are. All we're asking them to do is learn the English language," Vento tells Associated Press. "We're out to help these people, but they've got to help themselves, too."
Jim Boulet of the group English First says apparently that is just too much to ask. "You've got people coming into a place and taking all the time in the world to figure out a fairly easy choice because they don't speak the language," he points out. "And so, is the burden placed on them to learn a few words of English? Oh no, the burden is on everyone else to accommodate them."
Boulet is not overly fond of the decision by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations to investigate the matter -- nor is he complimentary of the Commission itself. "It's become a career path for professional agitators to make money, and they're not going to continue to exist if they don't find something to complain about," he says. "And this language and immigration area is increasingly one of those areas."
The English First spokesman says he cannot understand why the Commission is making such a big deal about it. "We're now expected that whatever the non-English speaker wants, they're to be accommodated," he laments. "If a business is saying, 'Well, could you order in English?' -- they'll decide to make a federal case out of that."
He says if the Commission's biggest cause is a sign in a steak shop asking customers to "Order in English," then "obviously ... every other major problem in Pennsylvania" has been solved. "These human rights commissions, frankly, have outlived their usefulness," Boulet adds.
In the meantime, those who market the City of Brotherly Love, often using images of Geno's and other famous steak shops, say they are treading carefully. "This isn't representative of the Philadelphia attitude," says the president of one marketing group.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
