"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice EVERYWHERE." Martin Luther King Jr.
She is one of the kindest women I've ever met, and infact I once had the hope of calling her sister. Sometimes, I do anyways.
She is the sister of my ex-boyfriend.
She is my friend.
She is half Tongan.
Not that the latter matters... but somehow it did last Friday night.
Her voice is like an angel, but you'd never know it because she is just that humble. It was her 30th birthday and we wanted to sing.
The plan was to gather at Asia Gardens, a medium sized group with a mix of family and friends.
When I arrived, admittedly just a bit late, I found my friends in a huddle under the awning in front of Asia Gardens. My face must have formed a question mark because its inquisition was met with one of the most absurd answers I've ever heard in my life:
"They won't let us in because we're Polynesian."
You have GOT to be kidding.
She wasn't.
There was a bustle of confusion, comments mixed with anger, frustration, and humor. Sometimes it takes a little humor to get through something so reprehensible.
I approached the manager, who was standing outside with his arms folded across his chest. He was a caucasion man, a bit doughy, wearing a white shirt and his fitted baseball cap backwards.
Diplomatic in my approach, I showed no sign of anger. Rather I simply tried to appeal to his business sense, assuming he actually had some.
"Hey," I touched his right arm, "look, we're just trying to celebrate a friends birthday. We're patrons trying to spend money in your establishment. That's all."
I was cut short by an abrupt retort of
"Why the fuck are you touching me?"
"Whoa. Wow... Ok, sorry I was just trying to reason with you."
"Well don't. Just leave."
At this point my dear friend puts her hand on my shoulder and says
"Corinna, don't bother."
To which he replies
"Yeah, listen to your lesbian girlfriend."
"What? Wow. What the hell guy?"
I shake my head and walk back to where the crowd is gathered.
The man calls into the crowd saying that we're "evil bitches", and goes inside with who I assume is the owner.
Moments later a man literally stumbles out. He is intoxicated beyond belief. The crowd makes comments lilke: "Oh but THIS guy is welcome" and "It's obviously safer to have DRUNKS in the club."
But a greater concern emerges when he pulls his keys out and approaches his truck.
"Someone stop that guy." a voice calls from the group
Two females approach him, and lead him away from his vehicle. Another one of us call the police.
The manager returns, and we (of course) bring to his attention that it's illegal and unethical to serve someone to this point of intoxication and release them to their vehicle.
He replies with belying concern, yet blatant rudeness. "Oh shut the fuck up, he was getting in a cab. Get out of here already!"
The police arrive. I follow a female officer inside. She excuses me and tells me to wait outside. I inform her that WE were the reason they were even called, this gentleman was going to DRIVE in this condition, and that we were witness to it as we were gathered outside because we were denied entry based on racial discrimination.
To which she replies "Businesses have the right to refuse service to whomever they choose. Wait outside."
Now, I'm not one to hide my emotions. In fact, I probably couldn't even if I tried (and I don't... try that is ) but if I did - my face is an open book. I gave this police officer such a look of disgust seasoned with confusion, that she took a step toward me.
I shook my head and walked out the front doors of Asia Gardens.
*** sigh***
We left in defeat that night and headed to a friendlier place; Bernie's.
DJ Ariel was spinning, the music was awesome, the atmosphere was great, and we proceeded to have a great night.
BUT
this pang burrowed itself in me; a splinter in my heart. A feeling not unfamiliar to me. A feeling of overwhelming injustice.
Let this be known, I am not polynesian.
With that - some have suggested that I shouldn't take personal offense to this occurence.
But I do.
The fact of the matter is - it's wrong.
It's unjust.
It's Racist.
It's hateful.
And it shouldn't exist.
But it does... and leaves you begging the question "What do I do now? How do I change this?"
... and I don't know the answer to that anymore.
Just a few short years ago Carolyn Mitchell suffered racial discrimination in our city and decided to oppose it in court.
She won her case and was awarded $1.
And if that wasn't insult enough, the judge then demanded she PAY the municipality $48,000.00 for the cost of processing her trial.
In a community that sends such a CLEAR message that says "Even if you WIN; you lose" ... what do you do?
and frankly, I don't know anymore.
. . .
I don't blame the police officers on site that evening. They were called there for the purpose of protecting the citizens on the road from a potential drunk driver, not for the injustice we were suffering.
I don't blame the manager for his ignorance.
He's an asshole. That's what assholes do - shit all over people.
But in the first decade of a new millenium, with a president who is of MIXED race - a living reflection of what will soon be, I blame hatred and those who spread it. Those who teach it . Those who enforce it ...
it's evil and I call it out by it's name.
To the ignorant, I say be enlightened
To those who hate, I say be loved
To those spread malice, why not spread joy?
... and to the assholes at Asia Gardens
Every asshole can be wiped clean.
Recognize what you're doing is wrong - and fix it.
. . .
For the rest of us - this is what we have.
Our voice.
Our Vote.
Whether you make your message heard with a letter of complaint, or whether you are heard through NOT spending your money, or casting your ballot today at the polls
SAY something...
SAY ANYTHING.
Thank you for reading
60 comments:
hey Corinna - will you give me a call about this Thursday?
Brendan/Anchorage Press
644.5417
I'd love to tell you that it's an isolated incident here (or anywhere for that matter), but it's not.
I won't go over the many I've encountered here.
Simply the problem is that many people are taught to hate by their parents/friends/churches.
The ability to enlighten is not easy either (look at the people upset with President Obama that he checked "black" on the census).
Rodgers & Hammerstein's lyrics from the son "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught" (South Pacific) has always been one of the best songs that sum it all up:
You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught.
My $0.02
hey Corrina, loved what you had to write, i feel ya, but it is true business have the right, i have had to enforce that policy at my place of business in the past for just reason, so here goes the question, when is it just, the other is i appreciate your crew calling the police, to stop a potential accident or death, just like the incident that happened saturday night in front of the brewhouse, and thank God no one was killed, but to be honest i think if you cant socialize in a sober environment and the only way you can have fun or some would say "relax" shows the weakness of the person. And anyone that is caught driving drunk should get a minimum of 10yrs in jail and if that lady had of killed someone she should have got the death penalty. Sorry went on a rant, but we as a country will always have racism, until the the 'ol school mentality has been cleared. Nothing has changed, and you would think it should have, when the first true minority became president, something some people said would never happen in their lifetime. But all that being said, I guess what i would tell you, is have faith believe it will happen one day.
Makes me sad and boggles my mind that people actually feel good about them selves when acting in such an ignorant way and know damn well its NOT RIGHT. People are people, we all bleed the same and breath the same. God for bid one of the assholes needs a donner from another race.
I am horrified. 8 of the 10 kids in my family were adopted Alaskan Native, most with one or another manefestation of TB. My mom had to call a cab to take a sister to the old Providence Hospital when the little girl was in distress. Admitting nurse wouldn't let them in, saying "They have their own hospital. Mom finally got the nurse to call another cab. Before it got there, my sister had died. I thought those days were an ugly memory.
Corrina, the best thing you can do is get this out and let people show Asia Gardens with their wallets that this type of behavior will not be tolerated anymore. Thanks for a great article and for letting others know.
Though your efforts and concerns seem legit, you neglect to acknowledge that businesses do have the right to refuse anyone. That being said, I am not condoning their reasons for their refusal.
Calling the cops if the intoxicated man was about to drive, deserves your thanks. But blaming the business for the drunkards actions is petty and misaimed.
Did you come to think they finally cut him off and threw him out because of being so drunk?
I applaud you for wanting to do the right thing and I don't blame your anger but next time, just flick them off and walk away. Someones ignorance doesn't deserve your attention or emotion.
To answer some Of the ignorants, the right Of refusal does not give the right to descriminate, second; Any establisment that serverves liqour is responsable if the Customer is intoxicated and gets on an accident, no stablidment is allowed to serve moré alcohol to someone that shows signs Of intoxication as Per. Municipality regulations and anyone that serves alcohol must pass a test to obtain a TAM card and this is explained clearly on the training. And Corina, yiu have a great opportunity to make a diference been a public figure. Lets all show those ignorants at China Garden and Gas Light the Power Of social media, and how business should be in the 21st century. I would even make a video and put it on Youtube. And dont forget to file a lawsuit just to give them a lesson even if you dont ein it will give them enough bad Press.
Thank you for the update I will NEVER go to Asia Gardens again. I will make sure I tell everyone about this.
Share this with the Daily News!!! Hopefully Asia Gardens goes under over this.
Did you tell him "Fi-E goy" (Sp) That's Fuck you in Tongan if I remember. Tell him to get in the Faka Puna and fly to hell! The Tongans I know are great people. I will not go there, but then I never did, so that will not hurt him much - Sorry. - Ole
I already don't eat there because my friend got food poisoning after eating their food. But I'll let others know about what happened.
The Anchorage Municipal Code Ch 5.10. Equal rights Commission and 5.20. Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.
5.40.010. Complaints says that you have 180 days to file a complaint. If you need help email me. DO IT!
elauesen@oz.net. Let's force the system to work for you for a change!
Elstun W. Lauesen
5.40.010 Complaints.
A. A person who believes he or she is aggrieved or injured by any discriminatory act or practice prohibited by this title may file a verified written complaint with the equal rights commission within 180 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act or practice, stating the name and address of the person alleged to have engaged in the discriminatory act or practice, and a short plain statement of each alleged unlawful discriminatory act or practice.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll never eat there (not sure if I ever have), and I'll spread the word to others. I hope the word gets out to enough people to hurt their business and to send a clear message that this kind of behavior isn't accepted here.
That was a terrible thing to have happen. I am thousands of miles away, and dont' know if you have already pursued this, but local news outlets should certainly have an interest. Another thing you can do is insert an UrbanSpoon icon in the blog post that will automatically add your blog post to the reviews of the restaurant. Help spread the word see: http://www.urbanspoon.com/e/restaurant_link/690027
That is so hurtful I can say i wont be spending my money there no more. Totally shocked i can't believe we that such bs still exist. So thankful you shared.
@Corinna I am sorry this happened to you, is it all right if I repost this incident over on my own blog, The Back Porch? We need to make this incident as public as humanly possible, because anything else will not send the very clear message that intolerance will not be tolerated.
Ryan K.
I am willing to bet a shiny nickel that Asia Gardens policy was not instituted because of racism.
And I would put up another shiny nickel and bet that what you say the manager said to you and your friends was embellished to make this seem more sensational.
If I'm wrong, well then I'm out two shiny nickels. Now, do I think the policy is right? I gotta put myself in the shoes of the owner. Perhaps there have been enough negative incidents involving certain people of an ethnic background. Perhaps the only way the owner can protect their employees and their establishment is by refusing to allow entry those who make the environment dangerous.
Instead of leading a witch hunt and screaming about civil rights, maybe you should find out the reasons why Polynesians are not allowed to enter Asia Gardens.
john t. you are an idiot. what they did was wrong and bless corinna for bringing this to light. i hope they get shut down and get a big dose of karma. i say picket outside with big signs saying they are racist. and i hope you john t is the only customer inside when they go out of business
John T - If the policy is based on race, then it isn't possible for it not to be a racist policy. I can't believe anyone needs to have that explained.
It also saddens me that ANYONE in our community actually thinks that businesses have the right to refuse service based on race, let alone a police officer. If you open your business to the public, that comes with certain ethical and legal responsibilities, and you do NOT have the right to exclude someone because they're polynesian, or black, or jewish, or a woman.
We made people take down the "No dogs or natives" signs in 1945, for crying out loud. We led the nation in civil rights back then. How far have we fallen?
Corinna, I am proud of you for blogging about this. Most people would just be pissed off then let it go not knowing the impact it really has in the long run. He will realize he messed with the wrong people, and he will surely pay :-)
1. it's wrong.
What makes it wrong? "Right to refuse service to anyone", police recognize the legality of it, why don't you?
2. It's unjust.
Why is it unjust? A group of people are refused entry to an establishment. Theres a hundred other places they can go.
3. It's Racist.
More accurately, its Institutional Racism, look it up.
4. It's hateful.
Actually, it has little to do with hate.
5. And it shouldn't exist.
Why not? If the policy of Asia Gardens is in place because of violent behavior of some whose ethnicity happens to be some flavor of Polynesian, what harm is truly being done? If the people who work there, and those who are customers there, are safer because of this policy, why shouldn't it exist? If you worked there, and your safety was threatened because of the actions of a group of people, wouldn't you want your employer to do something about it?
I empathize completely. I'm personally boycotting the place-and anywhere else that doesn't employ basic multiethnic respect to the public at-large.
The story does not sound credible. People do not behave and act as described unprovoked. Even the author admits she was not present and does not have first hand knowledge why her friends were kicked out of the establishment. Well behaved patrons do not get treated as the author described. Something sounds fishy about this story.
John T...Quit trying to excuse racism! It is against the law, period. It is NOT within the purview of businesses to "Profile" and exclude solely on the basis of race...plenty of case law to back that up. The problem with you and the Manager of the Asia Garden is that there is an iota of truth upon which you predicate a mountain of conclusion. Take for example the Territorial practice of prohibiting alcohol to be served to Alaska Natives. It was an 'understandable' bias but it was also ILLEGAL! Finally, there are more crimes and disruptive behavior exhibited by young white males than any other group. Shall we exclude all of them from our bar? Oooops...can't do THAT now, can we?
I know the owner very well, and I can attest that she is one of the sweetest, kindest, most loved people you will ever meet. However, she has had problems with people fighting or causing trouble in her establishment, and she is trying to keep the trouble out. I think she's pretty damned brave to speak out against problem makers, rather than laying down and taking the bullshit, simply because it is politically incorrect. Hey, if people would act decently, they would be treated decently. If people treat a person's business with respect, they will be treated with respect. However, it sounds like this group of people proved the restaurant's decision as the correct one - as they are now trying to fire up the public against a Chinese Restaurant! So what do you have against the Chinese? Geesh - now go wipe your sniveling noses and go get a life. You won't be changing my mind of who causes trouble and who doesn't. You just caused a whole mess of chit, and hopefully the loyal patrons won't forget it! I, for one, will make sure that other patrons, who like PEACE, will know who Corrine is and what station she is on, so we will make sure to boycott her and the station who supports her. I guess I am a hater - I HATE TROUBLEMAKERS!!!!
Now, excuse me - my delicious Shrimp Foo Yong is ready to go....Yum Yum!!!
And yes, I will post as anonymous, as I don't want my house to be shot at, or to be caught in an ambush by trigger-happy haters of Caucasians!
Anon - 7:05
PS - for such a big blogger, you'd think you could at least get your time set correctly! LOLOL - Whatta Joke!
Corrine - You'd better hope and pray that your decision to air your dirty laundry on 104 FM and here on your blog won't cause any harm to come to the Asia Garden establishment. You are stirring up hate!!!!!!
i think you dont know the whole side of the story. this might be good press for you but you should stick to what you know and that is raido. I love Movin 104.9 but i'm going to stop listening now that you started this whole injustice to not only the owners of this great place but making up fabrications that this wasn't an isolated incident. There was probably a legit reasons as to why they weren't let in and you creating this only makes it worse. You think you're some celebrity trying to make a difference and you just most likely added to the story for ratings and your own recognition.
I agree with John T!!!
*******************CORINA IS JUST USING THIS FOR RATINGS. THIS IS THE MOST ACTION/TALKED ABOUT SHE HAS GOTTEN. SHE IS JUST TRYING TO BE FAMOUS. I CALL PURE BULLSHIT. I WAS THERE AND SHE IS MAKING SHIT UP. *****************
I hope the owner of Asia Gardens sues you for discrimination and for lost revenue. Not that she needs any of your business - it sounds like she didn't want it to begin with!
tell us more, CORINA4RATINGS
The above ignoramuses are clear evidence of why anti-discrimination laws are necessary. Troglodytes such as John T. don't see a problem with discriminating against groups of people for suspect reasons, and they don't care. Somebody else earned their rights for them, and they feel no need to respect anyone else's.
However I have to say that the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission and the AK State Commission for Human Rights are useless, moribund agencies whose primary goals are self-perpetuation. You shouldn't pursue through those ends unless you don't care what the outcome is or how long it takes.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice EVERYWHERE." Martin Luther King Jr.
I take it this applies to Ms. Harding, as well, correct? Lord, I cannot wait for this liberal horse pucky to come to an end. All this molly-coddling for political correctness is what is causing the upset in this country. I suppose you all would have been happier to hear that a group of people caused a shootout in a local Chinese establishment, than to have your feelings hurt by someone trying to protect their property and patrons. It must be a slow news night - and Corrina here is a one-trick pony. I, for one, will be contacting her station to have her removed!
Metanoia, whats your basis for saying that young white males commit more crimes? Do they commit more assaults at Asia Gardens than any other ethnicity?
I for one would have no problem excluding all young white males from bars. It would make my job a hell of a lot easier.
By the way, I am an Alaska Native, and ironically, I get confused quite often for being Samoan/Hawaiian/Polynesian. Come to think of it, now I am curious if they would refuse me at the karaoke bar at Asia Garden. I would be quite amused if they did. But I sure wouldn't cause a stink over it if they did. I believe in property owners right to set policy.
Suspect reasons? I would think violent behavior, such as stabbings is a very valid reason for discriminating!
Who the hell is Corrina Delgado? I have never heard of her before tonight on the news. Am I supposed to know who she is? Ain't much of celebrity, is she? Looking for her 15 minutes? What kind of music does this 104.9 play? This sounds like pure sensationalism for the station! Too bad a decent business is being slandered for 15 minutes of shame. This is damned low-down!
Hey John T., what about shootings? Drive-bys? Didn't the owner of Asia Gardens say there had been a stabbing by the Islanders just a couple of weeks ago? Maybe someone recognized someone in the group. I'd like to hear more about this from the patrons and the bartender that was working last Friday night. Guess Fei is going to get my business, as I'm going to make a point of going in more often! There's two sides to this story, and Corrina has more than admitted that she is prejudiced to her friend's side....
Anyone want to meet me at Fei's?
i think you all should leave John T alone. he speaks his opinion. Corinna just wants to be famous. congrats bia you got your 15 mins! i hope Movin104.9 fire's your slander a** & you can go make up drunken lies about another venue.
i hope there is some video somewhere that shows what really happened: drunk people got denied at the bar & claimed race & this "DJ" wants to become famous. disgusting.
I was in the group of friends that was denied entrance to Asia Garden and we weren't causing any trouble. We didn't get kicked out--you have to be allowed in an establishment in order to get kicked out. Corrina is not trying to stir up hate or cause trouble...she has helped us get the word out of this unjust behavior.
I can appreciate a business owners concern over their establishment, but perhaps they should hire security instead of denying an entire ethnic group from entering her business. I asked her if it was a black person that was involved in the "incident" from which this all stemmed, would she deny them entrance. She said, "No, they don't give me any problems." So does that mean if they did cause trouble would she deny them also? I'd like to know how she knows who is Polynesian and who isn't. I am half white and half Samoan, but you wouldn't know that by just looking at me. So how does she know? Did she look at our IDs and noticed our last names had too many vowels? Does she just assume that if someone is bigger, has big hair, and a big nose that they must be Polynesian?? That's ridiculous and she said she doesn't know because "They all look alike" That is such an ignorant statement. Not all black people look alike and not all Polynesian people look alike--nobody looks alike!
Its disturbing and sad that people think this is just a ploy for ratings when Corrina was just trying to help us be heard. So THANK YOU Corrina, THANK YOU for talking about it on your show, THANK YOU for posting this blog...THANK YOU for spreading the word...NOT hate:)
As Corrina put it earlier:
To the ignorant, I say be enlightened
To those who hate, I say be loved
To those spread malice, why not spread joy?
-Amanda
To the ignorant, I say be enlightened
To those who hate, I say be loved
To those spread malice, why not spread joy?
Why are you perpetuating this injustice toward a business just because you couldn't be drunk and singing? Why are you proud of a pseudo-wanna-be celebritard sensationalizing your side of the story and harming a business just because you couldn't be drunk and singing? Hey, it's her business - she's just protecting it the best she can. If you felt uncomfortable about a group of people who looked like the same people who caused trouble in your home before, would you allow them entrance? Why should you be able to say "sorry, you can't come in - there's been problems before", but she cannot? She said that she couldn't tell if one of you were the one that had caused trouble before - you heard "you all look alike". Fei does not speak perfect English - she is Chinese! She is a minority. She is simply trying her best to protect what she and her husband built together in 1976. Why are you trying to tear her apart? What will you gain by all of this? You aren't getting much sympathy from people with level heads. You are part of a pity party with a bunch of liberals. C'mon - there's a lot of places downtown that do not want "young white males" causing trouble. I guess I haven't seen their 15 minutes of fame on the news crying about it. It's time to Cowboy up here - it's a term we use here in America! It means quit your whining. Respect other's viewpoints. We have all heard yours.... Hell, I've had to put on my Extra Tuffs just to wade thru the tears.... Lord, I'm glad I've got thick skin! I'm standing 100% behind Fei's right to choose who she serves in her establishment!
This is a ploy to raise gain ratings and to slander an establishment by waving the "discrimination" and "hate" flag around. This had nothing to do with hate - so quit with the hate bullshit. This had to do with a proprietor deciding who she would serve at her bar and who she would not. She has probably known more hate words in her lifetime than any of your would ever know. I'm sick of all this crap! If you want start a fight, make it a fair one, and quit hiding behind liberal crap - we are all getting sick of the "race" card being played, especially when you are playing it against a minority. Now GO AWAY!
I hope this delgado chick gets fired, too! I hope I can help.
Once again,
A business does not have an unfettered right to choose who not to serve.
They used to be able to put signs in their windows saying things like "No Dogs or Natives." We passed a law, the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act, in 1945 that says that a business serving the public doesn't have a right to discriminate based on race.
It's illegal under state law. It's illegal under city code.
And the worrying thing, to me, is less that a restaurant owner didn't understand the law, and much more that a police officer didn't.
But it certainly is also an issue that so many members of the public in these forums think that a business owner can exclude anyone they want, for any reason.
They can't.
They haven't been able to in our history as a state.
And that fact is one of the things we as Alaskans should be most proud of.
The native Alaskans should kick you all out since you don't know how to act and they can start with that dumb bitch Sarah Palin...LOL
if it walks like a duck and talks like a...forget it. SHES RACIST! The owner that is. Poor pitiful greedy souls want some chinese food so bad, go to CARRS. No one should be defended for being racist. And for those of you who didnt know who Corinna was before.....you do now. Its people like you who are giving her the 15 minutes. A well deserved heroic 15 minutes. You racist defenders look like the bad guys. Not her.
I would like to thank all of the anonymous posters spewing hatred and nonsense for demonstrating why it took courage for Ms. Delgado to speak up.
And again, (since the comment where I just said this seems to have been eaten), a business owner DOES NOT have the unfettered right to choose who they'll serve in their establishment. Refusing to serve someone on the basis of race has been illegal here for SIXTY-FIVE YEARS - well before statehood.
It's illegal in state law.
It's illegal in city code.
It's been illegal here for longer than most of us have been alive.
And we as Alaskans should be proud of that.
If Ms. Fei misunderstood the law, then I hope she understands it now, and will follow it in the future. For a police officer not to understand it is much more worrying - APD has some explaining to do.
I too am prejudice...against stupid assholes like you encountered on your night out. I'm sorry to hear that anyone would have to deal with such a level of ignorance.
I think Anchorage is starting to stand up
and speak out against these Polynesian
who have been bullying the kids in our
schools then on the streets, Anchorage
has voted
RE: Anonymous said...
The story does not sound credible. People do not behave and act as described unprovoked. Even the author admits she was not present and does not have first hand knowledge why her friends were kicked out of the establishment. Well behaved patrons do not get treated as the author described. Something sounds fishy about this story.
You got it all wrong. Its not about BEHAVED patrons, its not about THE AUTHOR or who was where. You werent there either so dont worry about the FISHYness.
RE: April 8, 2010 11:04 PM
Anonymous said...
I think Anchorage is starting to stand up
and speak out against these Polynesian
who have been bullying the kids in our
schools then on the streets, Anchorage
has voted
Awww well go buy yourself a little island or homeschool your kids!
RE: April 8, 2010 11:04 PM
Anonymous said...
I think Anchorage is starting to stand up
and speak out against these Polynesian
who have been bullying the kids in our
schools then on the streets, Anchorage
has voted
Response: Sad that you think Asia Gardens speaks for Anchorage. Sad to think Asia Gardens speaks for YOU. Tell your kids to grow a pair!
MB here... No matter what words get thrown around. No matter how different our opinions may be. The events of that evening will not change. They are forever played out and perhaps they will be remembered in many stories, through many eyes. Each one of us that was there, the owner, the manager, the birthday girl, the birthday boy, the friends, the family, the bar tender, everyone shared in what has become. It is important to me that I express what I see in this issue. The bottom line being, "it does not feel good to be turned away". As humans we all desire acceptance, we want to be liked, loved, admired. We want to be accepted.
Fear.... what are we saying when we begin to make our decisions based on fear?
I understand fear and how influential it becomes when we embed it in our hearts and minds.
How easy it is to reject what we fear, and in receiving rejection, so easily reciprocated. This is the cycle.
I feel bad that this has happened. It was intended to be a great evening. A much needed one for myself to celebrate with family and friends. I did have a great time, and even though I didn't sing that evening, I will soon.
I picked Asia Gardens because I like watching the singers. I like the food they serve and I like that dancing is mixed in. It creates an open and inviting atmosphere. I have good memories there.
I wish that I could say that the birthday boy was denied service because he didn't have shoes on, or perhaps he wasn't wearing a shirt, but I can't say that.
I do not wish ill on anyone. That is not what this is about. Through my experience of the evening I bring to the table this:
How can we grow? How can we use this experience to better all of us without turning on each other.
Thanks for listening! The birthday cake was delicious and the company couldn't have been better. I am glad that we shared this experience together and I look forward to seeing what good comes of it.
MB....Good Night
I was not with Corina nor do I know her but I too have been turned away from Asia Garden, The Last Frontier, and Gaslight it's easy to say brush off the incident when its not your face that is sticky with spit. The brusie that something like this leaves on a persons spirt is amazing. I can only imagine that those of you who rally for the exclusion of others have yet to feel the deep emotion turmoil that comes with the knowledge that through association to a ethincity you have been marked unworthy.
Having been told by a former classmate, someone who knew me and knew that I would never do anything like this, that I wasn't allowed into the frontier because they were not allowing Samoans in is crushing. I wish Ms. Fei no harm but to silently suffer the angiush of being labled a crimanl due to the actions of others is insane and counterproductive.
I understand some of you feel that walking away and taking your money elsewhere is the best answer. That passive attitude is why you are on the computer behind a screen not getting anything done in life. The time for action is now. I refuse to be a victim any longer. If you chose to refuse me anything do so on my individual idenity not upon the group that you clumped me. Yeah to you today I'm a Samoan but guess what I was An American first. That's an idenity that you cannot take from me.
Payton Augafa
It is so crazy to read some of the comments defending the ablility to turn people away based on race. These people saying to 'cowboy up' and get over it obviously have never had to deal with this type of prejudice personally. I believe the story because sadly it still happens all the times but it's usually not this blatant.
*I am sorry that you all had to go through this and I know that it must have been shocking and difficult to deal with. I am glad that you took this to the community and will allow them to chose to patron other more positive establishments in town.
Ok, the record needs to be set straight. This is not a race issue, this is a violence and safety issue. Polynesians have not been refused service because of their race. There are Polynesians in that bar almost every night. People that are very nice and show respect for themselves and others. The people that have caused trouble Or "look like" the ones that have caused trouble are the people that have been refused service. There is no sign in sheet for bar patrons so that everyone knows their names.There have been many incidents over the past year and a half at Asia Gardens not just the stabbing. Not to mention the guy that was stabbed was just trying to help break up the original fight and get the white guy that was beaten by 7 Polynesians into a coma with a separated liver after he was gotten out the back door and then dragged back. There was no mention of Fei being thrown into a wall that night or of the female bartender that was also hit and suffered a fractured collarbone and 2 fractured ribs trying to stop the situation. Or how about when Feis resturant was torn apart so 12 Polynesians could get to 1 Russian guy that they had already beat up and then they refused to leave and told bar staff to "shut the F up". Or how about when the hood of a car was caved in in the parking lot during one fight. I could do this all night but do i really need to go on? As for the incident Friday night there have been some falsehoods reported. First of all, there is not a white male employed by Asia Garden in any capacity. The only person that was actually TOLD to leave was a non Polynesian female that was being very aggressive and making violent hand and arm motions at Fei both to her face and behind her back.(Really hope that made you feel like the bigger person) That female was also the only one that made a racisit comment that I heard and that was, "You are a Fing racist and you're not even white." (Beautiful isn't it.As all racists must be white) As for the right to refuse service, there have been more non Polynesian people refused and 86'd out of Asia Gardens than Polynesians just in the last year. So in her broken english while she tries to explain and find the right words, she gets frustrated and blurts things out,in not exactly the way she means them while people are standing over her just for intimidation factor. Tell me its right for anyone to threaten other people and do their best to destroy a persons business and reputation. If everyone would treat everyone with basic respect, situations like this would never happen.
I just became aware of this via FB<-ADN(Julia O'Malley<Corine. Personally not having witnessed this I do know the "facts" I certainly feels there is enough to warrant an investigation.
Of note, it is interesting to watch the comments change over time from supportive of the group denied entry (then the trolls showed up) to support of the owners.
I saw this same thing happen on Prop 64. Discrimination happens here and is church supported as proved at the assembly, regardless of wether "Sully" thinks so or not!
Sometimes being of Polynesian descent embarasses me because of the actions of my fellow islanders.
On one incident, a friend and I were denied entry into Gas Light because she and I are Polynesian. Why? Because prior to that (a week or so), a male islander was escorted from the club
for unruly behavior. Upon exiting the establishment, this male proceeded to utilize the cigarette receptacle outside the back door to smash in the windshield of a car that was parked right
outside the back door. Who's car was it? The vehicle belonged to the owner of the Gas Light. Would I be angry at the destruction of my property? Oh, definitely. But the most astonishing
part about all this? The original bouncer who carded my friend and I was an african american male. He excused himself, leaving the two of us standing outside. When he returned, he came
with a Samoan bouncer who then told us that we would not be permitted to enter.
Another incident: leaving Asia Gardens at closing time, there were THREE simultaneous fights in the parking lot. None of them related, one to the other. ONLY Samoans fighting!
Another incident: Polynesians proceeded to cuss out a waitress when she asked them repeatedly to keep the noise down. I heard the noise. I heard the waitress ask politely. I heard the
beratement that she received. "F--- you and just shut the hell up!" - that is not a respectable way to speak when you're playing in someone else's back yard. I am sorry... sorry for the
waitress who had to deal with those idiots. I was glad for the security guard who was able to escort those people out immediately!
I don't condone the bans, but I understand. The employees at Asia Gardens are not voluminous people. Polynesians, by nature, normally are. What kind of retribution or standing would an
Asia Gardens employee have to aid them against a considerably sized Polynesian? The police will have to visit the establishment under unpretty circumstances.
Will I, as a Polynesian, be a patron of Asia Gardens? Definitely. Once the ban is lifted, I'll be there. Just wise up, Polynesians. You can't alienate all of the night lift establishments!!
Some of the people posting here in support of Asia Gardens' management are despicable. The simple fact is that this is against the law, and for a good reason. Not just local law, but federal law. I'm a white guy and I'm not politically correct, but I can't understand the vile sorts of people who think this is fine. Clearly, such people would be perfectly happy to turn back the clock on civil rights. It's amazing that, in this day and age, some people retain such horribly medieval values.
If you supported the manager in this case, you should be ashamed of yourself and your convoluted logic. If Asia Gardens doesn't want to obey the law and the values of our modern society, then they have no place owning a business in the public square. The owner may be a perfectly wonderful person in a purely personal context, but this is a public business context, and in this case, her behavior is rather revolting. Those of you who think a business owner should be able to deny service on the basis of race are troglodytes, and many of you are shockingly ignorant of the laws of the country you live in. Please find another country to live in, one that shares your barbaric ideals.
Post a Comment