The Menu At The Borgata Casino’s Martin Luther King Day Special? Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, And Collard Greens
Call it casual racism, call it a rather embarrassing failure to think things through, or call it a well-meaning gesture taken the wrong way by the over-sensitive crowd: the restaurant at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City has raised eyebrows with its decision to “honor” Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a special menu of fried chicken, collard greens, and macaroni & cheese, the Press of Atlantic City is reporting.
The Borgata’s menu struck some as racist, who noted that it reinforces cultural stereotypes about blacks.
Shaun Deeb, a professional poker player who was at the Borgata Monday night for a poker tournament — noticed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day menu and tweeted a picture, with the hashtag #isitracist, to get the ball rolling.
This is what borgata is serving #isitracist pic.twitter.com/U2TmangJWZ
— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) January 19, 2015
Karol Markowicz answered in the affirmative, rather succinctly.
Ummmm, yes. RT @TexDolly RT @shaundeeb This is what borgata is serving #isitracist pic.twitter.com/i6icbU07GD
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) January 20, 2015
Janine Eyre agreed with Karol’s assessment, although she said so rather more colorfully.
“WHY THE F**K IS CASSEROLE ON THE MENU? Also, SUPER racist.”
User Mitzoula took things a step further, although whether he was being even more racist, or just sarcastic, is unclear.
What no watermelon amuse bouche or malt liquor pairing? RT @shaundeeb: This is what borgata is serving #isitracist pic.twitter.com/bfeF5f108a — Mitzula (@Mitzula) January 19, 2015
This is not the first time that a restaurant at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City has found itself facing criticism. Last November, according to this Inquisitr report, a diner at Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata found himself with a bill for a $3,750 bottle of wine, after he heard the server say “thirty seven fifty” and thought the waiter meant $37.50. The diner would ultimately settle with the restaurant for $2,200.
As for the controversial Martin Luther King Day, Jr. menu, the Borgata pointed out in a tweet that the Reverend was known to enjoy “soul food” such as fried chicken and mac & cheese.
@shaundeeb We intended to honor the weekend by offering some of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s favorite foods as reported by many sources.
— BORGATA (@BorgataAC) January 19, 2015
NPR’s food blog, The Salt, confirmed that Martin Luther King, Jr., being a born & raised Southerner, enjoyed such Southern delicacies. The Salt even points out that food helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.
Do you believe the Borgata’s decision to “honor” Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a menu of fried chicken and collard greens was racist?
[Image courtesy of: Drinkers With Writing Problems]
