I just came across this interesting story in The Washington Post titled, “Asian Groups Fight to Change Eatery’s Name.” There has been a popular restaurant in Philadelphia that opened in 1949, that bears the nickname of the restaurant’s original owner:
“It’s called Chink’s Steaks. The restaurant was opened by Samuel Sherman, who was nicknamed “Chink” as a child because of his supposedly slanted, Asian-looking eyes. “Nobody ever called him Sam,” said [current restaurant owner Joseph] Groh, who started working at the eatery at age 15 and later bought it after Sherman died. “That was his name from the age of 6. The problem is that the term “chink” is every bit as racist and hurtful to Asian Americans as “the n-word” is to African Americans — so much so that some have taken to calling it “the c-word.” “It’s definitely a derogatory term,” said Ginny Gong, national president of the Organization of Chinese Americans, one of several groups pressing for the restaurant to change its name. “…Groh said he likes the name because of its tradition, and does not see the need for a change. But he acknowledges, “I don’t think you could open a place today with that name.”
Well, I can understand why restaurant owner Joseph Groh would want to keep a name for tradition, but if the restaurant had been named Nigger’s Steaks, do you think he would have kept the name? If you look up chink in Wikipedia, you will definitely discover the term has quite the historic racial slur against the Chinese originally (but its use has expanded to include all East Asians). I recall being called ‘chink’ a few times while growing up on the East Coast, and definitely not liking the term at all…
In 2004, a 21-year-old Korean-American Susannah Park, the adopted daughter of white parents, campaigned to get the name of the restaurant changed. Growing up in almost all white West Virginia, she was often called ‘chink.’ Chink may not sound that ‘bad’ and is definitely not as well known as ‘nigger’ or ‘spic‘ , but I hope that mainstream America doesn’t consider the term to be used in polite language. I have to agree with the a quote in the article by Grace Kao, director of Asian American studies at the University of Pennsylvania:
“In this country, race is still largely a black-and-white issue. Asian Americans and Latinos are largely left out of the conversation,” she said. “In public dialogue, you can’t say certain things about African Americans, but it’s still okay to say things about Asian Americans.”
I definitely have to agree with the Asian American part. I think with the growing numbers of Latinos in the United States and the issue of illegal immigration, Latinos are increasingly being drawn into the “race debate.”
The name aside, the Yelp reviews of the restaurant is quite good (despite the name as many have commented), and it sounds like the restaurant makes the best damn cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
So what are your thoughts on the matter? Should Joseph Groh change the name of his restaurant? What should he change it to? When the controversy began, Groh’s mother suggested the name Joe’s. Now how “All American” is that?!
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Brian wrote:
I heard that’s a popular stop for the Washington Redskins whenever they’re in town.
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 7:11 am | Permalink
Yvespaul wrote:
I live in Philly and I’ve never heard of that spot, but that guy is embracing the term and calling himself that so I don’t think he uses it as a derogatory term.
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 7:30 am | Permalink
Amyable wrote:
It appears that neither the original owner nor the current owner had any negative intentions with the name. However, now understanding that the name is an obvious racial slur, he should feel compelled to change the name. I had the fortune of growing up in S. CA where there are higher percentage of Asians among its population but I too was called chink a couple of times when I was young. It is definitely like calling a black person the n word.
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 8:29 am | Permalink
darkmoon wrote:
And I ask “why?” It’s not being used as such due to how the restaurant was named (the original owner was nicknamed that due to his eyes). If anything, a place like this would make the slur go away if people didn’t go off on it.
It’s like bringing to attention something that no one ever bothered to think about until some person opens their mouth. For instance, the URL of Pen Island, is http://www.penisland.net. Great. I’ve scarred you for life. My goal in life is accomplished.
*shakes head*
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 11:55 am | Permalink
Lana wrote:
Asian Americans should definitely speak up about this. This is a chance to stop making it about ‘black and white’. People make statements like this about Asians because they know that for the most part, ya’ll will stay quiet about it. I don’t know if some Asians buy into that ‘model minority’ tag and want to stay ‘the good group’ and not cause ‘trouble’ or what, but I say, DRAW ATTENTION TO IT! Demand respect!
As for ‘Nigger Steaks’ the man wouldn’t have been able to get it the name approved, much less open the restaurant. You know why? Because we (Blacks) have made it known that that crap doesn’t fly!
This man knew what he was doing. Believe you me, he did. Racists know what they’re doing and a lot of time will feign ignorance. They know very well, what’s derogatory to whom. Please don’t buy into that crap.
Make.Some.Noise.About.it. Let it be known how you feel. If you don’t like it, say something. Cause I guarantee you if you don’t, it’ll get more and more rampant. People catering to the public should respect the public, not just certain people.
Hit the man where it hurts: image and wallet.
But IF you don’t want to do anything or ‘draw attention’ and want it to just ‘blow over’ then, stay quiet when someone disrespects Asians again, ’cause you’ve taken a stance not to do anything, so don’t say anything.
And I ask the question, how can one ‘embrace’ a term that’s derogatory to ANOTHER group of people, of which one doesn’t belong to????? How does that work? Or did I read that wrong. The man isn’t Asian, right????
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 1:50 pm | Permalink
Joe wrote:
“It’s like bringing to attention something that no one ever bothered to think about until some person opens their mouth.”
Well that pretty much describes majority-minority relations in this country, doesn’t it? White America doesn’t ever consider Minority X unless somebody says something.
The word “chink” doesn’t exist in a cheesesteak vacuum just because this guy claims the previous owner used it as his nickname. (And come on, giving a white guy that nickname due to the shape of his eyes is racist.)
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 8:32 pm | Permalink
Jason wrote:
So, would you need special utensils to eat these, like “n*gger knives?”
It’s okay, it’s okay! I’m black!
Posted on 16-Apr-08 at 12:14 pm | Permalink
Joe wrote:
No big deal really. Chink’s is no more offensive than the chop suey joint in Philly Chinatown called, “Wop’s.” The original owner (from Guanzhou, China) got the nickname because he was fat, greasy, and talked loud while waving his hands around.
Posted on 16-Apr-08 at 4:01 pm | Permalink