2008 Woodie Awards
Geno's policy mirrors a country's intolerance
Justin Heinze '09
Issue date: 1/24/07 Section: Opinion
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The light fog which hangs over 9th and Passyunk is pierced by multicolored neon lights, and the dull, seemingly endless string of row-homes comes to a screeching halt before the world famous Philadelphia cheesesteak scene. There are many customers waiting in lines at both eateries, lines which stretch around the building and even a bit down the street. The crowd is loud and rambunctious; perhaps just hungry, or drunk, or curious, or impatient, or perhaps all of the above. A thick, alluring smell of greasy steak seems to permeate the air, and the inevitable question must be asked: Pat's or Geno's?
It would seem an impossible question to answer, certainly to anyone who is not a Philly cheesesteak veteran. But undoubtedly Geno's new political stance will alienate and attract in a way that food never could. Plastered across the Geno's ordering window, side by side with the American eagle, is a laminated sign reading: "This is America. When ordering, speak English." Below it is a sign reading "close our borders", along with a host of anti-immigration slogans that combine to form a thoroughly patriotic, we-don't-take-no-crap-from-nobody tough guy atmosphere.
Of course, Joseph Vento, owner of Geno's and man behind the restaurant's political ideologies, did have one thing right. It is America, and he owns a private business, and he is free to say pretty much whatever he feels like saying. But it is important here to look between the lines and see exactly what is happening: a proud, hard-working man is frustrated by those who cannot speak English, and thus make his day and his business go smoother. Thus, it is important for him, for the sake of his business (as this stunt has undoubtedly brought Geno's good publicity as well as bad), and his temper to alienate the thousands of legal immigrants and non-English speaking folk who not only live in Philadelphia, but live in and around the very South Philadelphia neighborhood where he has made his living. It is also interesting to note the irony of a man whose grandparents were born and raised in Italy who also believes that our borders should be closed. Excellent plan to improve the world, Mr. Vento. Shut America off from the rest of the world. That will make all those foreign countries that dislike us change their minds.
It would seem an impossible question to answer, certainly to anyone who is not a Philly cheesesteak veteran. But undoubtedly Geno's new political stance will alienate and attract in a way that food never could. Plastered across the Geno's ordering window, side by side with the American eagle, is a laminated sign reading: "This is America. When ordering, speak English." Below it is a sign reading "close our borders", along with a host of anti-immigration slogans that combine to form a thoroughly patriotic, we-don't-take-no-crap-from-nobody tough guy atmosphere.
Of course, Joseph Vento, owner of Geno's and man behind the restaurant's political ideologies, did have one thing right. It is America, and he owns a private business, and he is free to say pretty much whatever he feels like saying. But it is important here to look between the lines and see exactly what is happening: a proud, hard-working man is frustrated by those who cannot speak English, and thus make his day and his business go smoother. Thus, it is important for him, for the sake of his business (as this stunt has undoubtedly brought Geno's good publicity as well as bad), and his temper to alienate the thousands of legal immigrants and non-English speaking folk who not only live in Philadelphia, but live in and around the very South Philadelphia neighborhood where he has made his living. It is also interesting to note the irony of a man whose grandparents were born and raised in Italy who also believes that our borders should be closed. Excellent plan to improve the world, Mr. Vento. Shut America off from the rest of the world. That will make all those foreign countries that dislike us change their minds.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ed marconi
posted 2/08/07 @ 12:12 PM EST
I'd say that Mr Vento should teach himself and youse workers the right use of the English language first before he put up a sign wit dat. I would also advice the man that if he have strong political opinions, join politics so he have a right platform to speak his mind. (Continued…)
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