When Dave Bindra, 22, tried to get into Carlsbad’s Ocean House Restaurant and Grill on July 27 wearing a turban, he was stopped at the door because of rules against do-rags, beanies and other “head wear associated with street gangs,” according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
. . . when he explained to Ocean House manager Steve Town that his turban was not a do-rag, but a religious expression that he never removes in public, Town said, “ ‘Beanie, do-rag or turban, you still have a towel on your head and you’re not going in.’ ” . . . Town denies he made the “towel” remark and said Bindra and his friends were denied entry because they were being aggressive.”
Bindra was told the same thing at the Coyote Bar. Then the religious man and his friends went back to the Ocean House and got into a yelling match with management. Now, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has complained to the US Justice Department and a San Diego law professor thinks Bindra might have a strong case. . . The story has even been picked up by The Times of India.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
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That just disgusts me. As an Asian-American living in Carlsbad, I’ve received and witnessed similar treatment from the people in and around Carlsbad–not so outright like this incident, but enough to indicate that Carlsbad isn’t as open-minded as it should be.
You are so right ABC…if it doesn’t involve tourism, development or retirement, Carlsbad shuts all doors…and that includes on the faces of the Carlsbad Locals nomatter what nationality.
At the same time the city council attempts to trick the public by trying to introduce art into the community with crafty street fairs, tightly judged street art exhibitions and over-priced painted hydrants.
Well news for your council members, culture is a hard thing to create when the citizens are refused expression. What rises is a disgruntled network of minds…underground!