Conservative Mexican-American business owner Edgar Antillón and the “White Appreciation Day” scheduled for June 11 at his Colorado barbeque joint received sympathetic treatment in Telemundo network coverage of the controversial initiative.
In his first comments to national Spanish-language media about the restaurant’s controversial promotion, the co-owner of Rubbin Buttz BBQ in Milliken, Colorado reiterated that just as African-Americans and Hispanics receive special, official recognition at different times of the year, “the light-skinned, the gringo” deserves a day in the proverbial sun, too.
EDGAR ANTILLON: We talk about African-American Day, which is in February, Hispanic Heritage Day is in September to October. And for us, we haven’t seen something for the light-skinned person, the gringo.
After receiving a bomb threat from opponents of the initiative (two of whom were also interviewed by Telemundo’s Maria Paula Ochoa), Antillón, who has previously run for elective office in Colorado as a Republican, clarified that the promotion is not meant to be divisive.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: the restaurant insists the purpose is unity among the races.
EDGAR ANTILLON: Taking down those barriers that we have put up against different races. We are all Americans, we are all human beings.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: And he guarantees that on that day, all customers who request it will receive the discount...
EDGARDO DEL VILLAR: well, there it is, a 10% discount this coming June 11 at that restaurant, for anyone who asks for it.
And thus the Telemundo report about the creative promotion at Antillón’s restaurant concluded, on a positive, inclusive note.
Below are the translated and original portions of the referenced segment of Noticiero Telemundo:
English Translation:
EDGAR ANTILLON, RESTAURANT CO-OWNER: They were told there was going to be a bomb threat if we didn't change the day, that we were going to explode in 6 hours.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: He’s talking about “White Appreciation Day.” An event they will have on June 11, when they will give a 10% discount to Anglo-Saxon customers.
EDGAR ANTILLON: We talk about African-American Day, which is in February, Hispanic Heritage Day is in September to October. And for us, we haven’t seen something for the light-skinned person, the gringo.
MARIA PAULA: Nevertheless, the homage did not please many, who characterized it as discriminatory against people from other ethnic groups.
RESIDENT IN OPPOSITION: I think it is better for all, all are the same, all are equal. I guess I would not do that.
MARIA PAULA: Since the controversy began, the debate has also begun in social media and there are hundreds of comments both in favor and against the promotion, on the restaurant’s different pages. Some activists maintain it is a racist attack against immigrants.
FRANCISCO MORENO, COUNCIL OF MEXICAN FEDERATIONS: With the situation the way that it is in Colorado at this moment when the immigration debate is on fire, these things should not happen.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: But the restaurant insists the purpose is unity among the races.
EDGAR ANTILLON: Taking down those barriers that we have put up against different races. We are all Americans, we are all human beings.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: And he guarantees that on that day, all customers who request it will receive the discount. The co-owner also apologized to the city of Milliken, saying there was never any ill intent. And so they apologized for having been part of this bomb threat. They did not want a possible tragedy to happen.
Edgardo del Villar: Well, there it is, a 10% discount this coming June 11 at that restaurant, for anyone who asks for it.
Español Original:
EDGAR ANTILLON, COPROPIETARIO DEL RESTAURANTE: Les dijeron que iba a ver amenaza de bombas si no cambiamos el día, nosotros íbamos a explotar en 6 horas.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: Se refiere al día de las blancos. Un evento que tendrían el próximo 11 de junio cuando darían un 10% de descuento a sus comensales anglosajones.
EDGAR ANTILLON: Estamos hablamos del día de los afroamericanos, que es en febrero. El día de la herencia hispana que es de septiembre a octubre. Y para nosotros, no habíamos visto algo para el güero, para el gringo.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: Sin embargo, el homenaje no agradó a muchos, que lo han catalogado de discriminatorio contra personas de otras etnias.
RESIDENTE QUE SE OPONE: Yo, que es mejor para todos, todo es lo mismo, todo es igual. Me imagino que, yo no haría eso.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: Desde que inició la controversia, también inició el debate en las redes sociales y cientos de comentarios en pro y en contra de la promoción, han surgido en las diferentes páginas del restaurante. Incluso, algunos activistas aseguran es un ataque racista contra los inmigrantes.
FRANCISCO MORENO, CONSEJO DE FEDERACIONES MEXICANAS: A como está la situación en Colorado en este momento en el cual está incendiado el debate migratorio no deben ocurrir estas cosas.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: Pero el restaurante insiste, el propósito es la unión de las razas.
EDGAR ANTILLON: Quitar esas barreras que nos hemos puesto en contra de tales razas. Todos somos americanos, todos somos seres humanos.
MARIA PAULA OCHOA: Y asegura ese día todos los clientes que lo soliciten, recibirán el descuento. El copropietario también pidió una disculpa a la ciudad de Milliken, diciendo que no tuvieron ninguna mala intención. Y que pues, les pidieron disculpas por haber sido parte de esta amenaza de bomba, no querían que ocurriera una posible tragedia.
EDGARDO DEL VILLAR: Bueno, ahi esta, 10% de descuento el próximo 11 de junio en ese restaurante, para cualquier persona que lo solicite.
