Bar Owner Apologizes For Watermelon ‘Gift’ Given To Biracial Employee For MLK Day
- 6 years ago
A bar owner in Mason, Michigan has issued an apology for the watermelon “gift” that was given to a biracial employee for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
A bar owner in Mason, Michigan has issued an apology for the watermelon "gift" that was given to a biracial employee for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reports the Lansing State Journal. Rob Hearit, who owns and manages Darb's Tavern and Eatery, and a number of employees signed and wrote messages on the watermelon before handing it to the recipient, notes the New York Daily News. The sentiments reportedly included, "Happy 1/2 MLK," and, "Happy black day." Kelly Martin Aimery, the girl's mother, posted a picture of the fruit on social media and wrote, "My daughter got this on MLK Day because her work, including her boss, thought this was OK. It is NOT. Come on people."
"This is awful on so many levels. She is biracial, hence the Happy 1/2 MLK Day," Aimery also said. "This is on top of many comments her boss feels free to say to her including 'halfsy.'" Hearit soon after commented on the situation in a Facebook post of his own, noting that the watermelon "while intended to be a friendly joke, was in poor taste and offensive, to say the least."
"As owner and manager, I take full responsibility. I saw the 'gift' and I didn't stop it. In fact, in a lapse of judgment, I also joined our employees in signing it," he further remarked. According to the Washington Post, Hearit and his staff will be undergoing mandatory training on diversity and sensitivity.
A bar owner in Mason, Michigan has issued an apology for the watermelon "gift" that was given to a biracial employee for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reports the Lansing State Journal. Rob Hearit, who owns and manages Darb's Tavern and Eatery, and a number of employees signed and wrote messages on the watermelon before handing it to the recipient, notes the New York Daily News. The sentiments reportedly included, "Happy 1/2 MLK," and, "Happy black day." Kelly Martin Aimery, the girl's mother, posted a picture of the fruit on social media and wrote, "My daughter got this on MLK Day because her work, including her boss, thought this was OK. It is NOT. Come on people."
"This is awful on so many levels. She is biracial, hence the Happy 1/2 MLK Day," Aimery also said. "This is on top of many comments her boss feels free to say to her including 'halfsy.'" Hearit soon after commented on the situation in a Facebook post of his own, noting that the watermelon "while intended to be a friendly joke, was in poor taste and offensive, to say the least."
"As owner and manager, I take full responsibility. I saw the 'gift' and I didn't stop it. In fact, in a lapse of judgment, I also joined our employees in signing it," he further remarked. According to the Washington Post, Hearit and his staff will be undergoing mandatory training on diversity and sensitivity.