In a story that highlights the power of public opinion and the importance of cultural sensitivity, a deli owner in Flemington found himself at the center of a controversy that would ultimately lead to the closure of his business. Jim Boggess, the owner of the Main Street deli, had hoped to celebrate his heritage with the community by putting up a sign in his store window.
The handwritten sign read, “CELEBRATE YOUR WHITE HERITAGE IN MARCH, WHITE HISTORY MONTH.” However, the sign was met with outrage and offense from many in the community, including one customer, Bhakti Curtis, who was of mixed-race descent. Curtis took particular issue with the sign, which he felt was mocking Black History Month.
Despite the police department’s decision not to take action against Boggess, the damage had already been done. The sign had sparked widespread outrage, and customers began to boycott the deli. As the days went by, Boggess’s financial situation grew increasingly dire, and he was eventually forced to close down the deli.
In a last-ditch effort to salvage his business, Boggess started a GoFundMe appeal, in which he claimed that he had been unfairly targeted for simply wanting to celebrate his heritage. However, the appeal failed to gain traction, and Boggess was ultimately forced to concede defeat.
The controversy surrounding Boggess’s sign serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need for businesses to be mindful of the impact that their actions can have on the community. While Boggess may have felt that he was simply celebrating his heritage, his actions were perceived as offensive and hurtful by many, and ultimately led to the downfall of his business.
