[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Maru

There's more evidence of racism towards this man than evidence of racism I think based on the article. He's had conversations with his patrons about it, and he's not been aggressive or unwelcoming towards people about it seems. He's welcoming a dialogue. That's quite profound. Maybe he's advertising his freedom of speech here by putting up a dozen dolls, but this doesn't automatically mean "oh he's intentionally being offensive!"... there are people who bring up race and bigotry every chance they get... but they can see beyond race right? That doesn't wash. Could easily be interpreted as a counter demonstration to quite a common dialogue in society.

If he were an actual racist, they would be hidden in the back room or he'd be very defensive and discourteous towards folk who questioned him about it. Change his skin color, if this were a black person... and they had Black Power dolls/posters everywhere or something. Which some people do put up when they have organizations or meetings, etc. Some of the same folk would say it's "empowerment" or "freedom of speech" or sharing "their roots"...

TLDR; My point is, none of us can definitively say we know what his intent is. But to automatically go for the worst conclusion on the basis of the color of his skin, his appearance(s) and the items in his bar actually in itself is a racist conclusion.

Good post!