On 1/1/2009 three Caucasian people are refused service by Afro- American Staff at Waffle House in Gray Louisiana, is this revise discriminating?

Milford Lirette Victim 985-804--9246
Kathleen Hubburd Victim 985-876-0504
Wilfred Lirette Victim 949-636-1209

Where it happen :

Waffle House
113 Linda Ave
Gray, La.70359

Manager: Bob Len Trahan

We arrived at approx 4: 00 AM 1/1/2009, we were returning to Houma from the Bell Casino, everyone was sober, we were all well dress sports coats ties & sweaters.

On our arrival all three of us went into the restaurant to have breakfast & coffee. We notice four vacant sits at the end of the counter, of which the chairs were stack up, as if the area had been clean,

I set the four chairs on the floor, and we filled three, we reviewed the menu while waiting for a Food Server,

While doing this I notice some of the restaurant patrons to be Afro-Americans & Caucasian American, sitting in different areas of the restaurant, I notice that the existing restaurant staff was waiting only on the Afro-American patrons, and after a while the Caucasian Customers left patrons left because they were not waited on.

After 20 minutes of waiting a red hair Afro-American lady told us
That they could not serve us because they had to wash the dishes, mop the floors, clean the restaurant and they would have to get more food...

I express my dissatisfaction & stated that this was an act of discrimination, and it should not be happening in America to her and we departed.

Afro –American Supervisor with Red Hair (Jackie)

All of staff in Gray was Afro American, I did not see on e Caucasian on Staff there.
We did not know that Gray maintain a segregated Waffle House and no service is given to Caucasian people!

Following that we preceded to the first Waffle House we had stop by which is located in Houma. This Waffle House was full earlier when we drove by, thus we decided to go to the other Waffle House in Gray,

When we arrived at the Waffle House in Houma, I notice the same types of Patrons, and that the Staff was both Afro- American & Caucasian American, the restaurant was very crowed & nosey.

With in 15 minutes we spoke to the Food Server her advice us she would get to us as soon as she could. Shortly after that we sat at a booth and advice food would be a while, we advised just keep the coffee coming.

We also told Jason the Houma Waffle House Manager about what had just happen to us at the Waffle House in Gray, he was very apologetic about this and express his concern’s about this. He stated that this has happen before.

The next morning I called the Gray Waffle House to see if I could fined out why that happen to us,

I asked if they had to close the restaurant last night she said no.
I asked if they ran out of food she said no.

On 1/1/2009 11:00 AM I also spoke to Jason Apeldoorn store manager (985-853-2959 Store, cell 985-860-9754) of the Houma Waffle House he State that they had review the Video and we where there and service was refused to us.

So if a mexican goes to France, do they expect the French to know spanish???

I'm from New Mexico. I'm American Indian and Irish descent. My great-grandfather was right off the reservation in Oklahoma. I know some spanish, I'm used to discrimination because I don't know a language that is not the language of America, which to be quite honest should be Native American, but we grew up learning English. I moved to Colorado thinking maybe the discrimination would not be as bad. I was wrong. This is what I received today.

Notification: Your application has not been accepted for the Administrative Asst. III opening (1007023) with the Department of Labor and Employment.

A review of your application shows that you do not meet the proficiency in Spanish speaking requirement.

If you do not agree with our decision concerning your qualifications, you may submit additional information within the next 5 days to (name removed for privacy)@state.co.us

well. I'm anglo and always enjoyed living here however there is some discrimination towards whites here. I had to leave a McDonalds. The girl was sweeping the floor, i came in and stood there waiting, then a hispanic couple came in and she immediatly addressed them in spanish and took the order. then went back to sweeping the floor. I said that I was still waiting for my order to be taken and in very good english told me I had to wait till she was done sweeping....When I first moved here 10 yrs ago it took me 4 months and over 20 job applications till I found a job. Now the owner of the small trucking company that hired me? Oh,he was Anglo....

I believe that people should adapt to the area that live. We are Americans, but if you look around in the VALLEY, about 90+% is Mexican-American... The native language in the Valley is Spanish, especially for all of Elderly Folks. So it is only common courtesy for all us to learn the lanuguage. If you go to Germany, you try to learn German, and so on. The Valley is minutes away from Mexico, and the majority of the people are Mexican-American. The operative word here is Mexican. When I went to school, I got detention for speaking Spanish. That was not right, but we had to follow the rules. I learned English, and if I travel to Europe or Asia I try to speak the Native language. So Lady, stop your complaining and Learn Spanish, you are outnumbered.. Like they say, when in Rome do what the Romans do. So in the Valley, make an attempt to learn Spanish and more doors will open for you for just trying to get along.. Have A Nice Day! If you can't try, the only thing I suggest is to pack up and leave the Valley and Go NORTH!

OMG I can't believe all these comments made by a bunch of hispanics claiming that "oh its so wrong to speak spanish we are in the USA and we should speak english" C'mon you are hispanic till the day you die so stop trying to be white its not going to do you any good if anyone is a bigot all your going to be in their eyes is a beaner no matter how well you pretend to be white.Yes its unfair what happened to this lady but if it bothered her so much, hey learn the language.Why not? We learned english. So please people stop trying to be something your not! I am an american Texas born and raised but I know I am not white and I am not going to try to be one.

In my current job there are 55 employees and 90% percent of the workers speak spanish! I speak both languages with makes it easy to communicate with them. But it took 4 semesters for me to learn the proper Spanish in order to communicate with people around here in the valley. My co-workers (spanish speakers) get upset when they get their employee handbook or any other document in English and await for a translated copy. I did tell them that if I was able to learn their language they can easily do that themselves. There are FREE evening classes being offered for them! Why is it that they leave MEXICO to better themselves but yet they refuse to! Like they say take them out of MEXICO but you can't take the MEXICAN out of them. They can be proud don't get me wrong of their ancestors, etc., but PLEASE PEOPLE - AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!! And I will do all in my behalf to be able to succeed in life even if it means I need to learn more languages as needed in this BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!!!

my husband is anglo and its sad it had to happen to her i hope this never happens to my husband people can be so rude

Seriously, people need to get a thicker skin about these things. I say if you don't feel welcome at your job for any reason...get out! Does this lady really have that much time in her life that she has to go out and sue the company that she sought employment from. I also noticed that she'd only been on the job less than a year, did she even give it a chance before she saw dollar signs? This woman seems like she's had workplace drama before.I have numerous white friends that absolutely love it here. With all due respect, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Be grateful that you don't live in Iraq or Afghanistan. Get a life!

This reminds me of what happened to me at work one day. I was working at a gas station as an attendant when a man approached my counter and started talking to me in Spanish. I understood some of what he was saying but did ask him to repeat what he said in English and he became upset. "Why don't you speak Spanish aren't you Mexican !?!" I stated to him calmly with a laugh "No I am American born of Mexican descent. English is the language spoken here in my country and when I visit Mexico I will speak that country's language." He got upset even more and said "You should speak Spanish because of where you are." I told him this is Texas and USA territory for over a hundred years. I come from a American Mexican home and I put America first because I was born here in the USA and Mexico second because that is where my family line comes from. I am not ashamed of being an American Mexican but why do people get upset when I want to have them speak to me in English when I am in the USA. I go to Mexico every now and then and speak in Spanish to the people there because it is Mexico. I believe in being proud of who you are but you don't have to shove it down everyone's throat. Please remember the great thing about America is that we can celebrate who we are and not be ashamed.

Has anyone ever gone to downtown mcallen or any other Asian/Phillipiine, etc. shop and all you hear is their native tounge ranting throughout the store as they look at you as you shop or when your child decides to have a fit in the store. How does this make you feel? Where is it written and stated that Spanish is the official language of the the RGV.

We should be speaking English at work. I hate going to a dining place and people not know how to speak English or refusing to do so. People die for this country is it to much to ask for people to speak English?

I had a relative that spent time in Solara hospital prison and she had numerous communication problems with the medical staff because she speaks ENGLISH only, some of those staff seemed to talked about her in spanish also - that's very unprofessional, solara is trying to save money at the patients expense!!

I know I've been discriminated against since I've moved here almost 8 yrs ago. I am white and don't know spanish and I have problems getting good jobs. I understand that someone needs to be there at a job site that knows both spanish and english but not everyone needs to know it. It is america and the first language we are taught is english. English is taught everywhere, even in other countries because it is the "universal language". So if this lady is telling the truth I hope that they have to pay. I'm not a racist person, I believe in being equal, but I believe it is rude and intimedating for you to talk only spanish in front of me knowing I dont know what your saying and you can speak english just fine. Dont give up or culture and what you believe in, just know that there is Homelife and the worklife. Be professional.

The comment from the person in La Joya is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. I am discriminated against constantly, but I don't make a big deal out of it, because look where it's coming from.

i agree with the previous comments that people here have no manners. it is not professional for someone to speak spanish in front of other people (regardless of thier race, there are plenty of mexican americans who dont speak spanish) esp. in the workplace. I for one believe id you work in the valley you should speak english. everything is written in english. too bad that is not the case. you are able to get a job here as long as you speak spanish and not english! I wish more people would come forward and bring this matter to light. you are in america, speak english!if i was in mexico i would speak spanish.

I only have an issue with the phrase "reverse discrimination" I feel that discrimination is discrimination. There is no need to add the reverse part. That is all I have an issue with. I hope this woman finds the resolution she is seeking.

Ok being that I am half white half hispanic I felt I should respond to this. Well first of all the guy who commented on getting welfare, food stamps etc. that's a cut down on the hispanic race. What does that say? Hispanics are nothing but mooches that leech off the government? It's bad enough we witness it we don't need a written confirmation. LOL but anyways I can see why white people hate on hispanics. They retaliate by bringing up their brown pride bs instead of being fair. Too be honest both races are full of themselves and for that lady to resort to this made me laugh that's for sure. I bet if a Mexican had done this is wouldn't have even made the news that's the sad part. But anyways to each his or her own. Only God can judge us. But I do agree this is the USA and english is the primary language. Try speaking spanish in an all white community and see where it gets you. No Where. So it's better to learn English if they haven't already. Yes this is the valley, yes we are near mexico, yes they stole the land from Mexico but hey who cares? Be grateful you're making minimum wage instead of a few pesos. No one will win this racial argument so why bother trying. Good luck to everyone involved. Can't wait to find out the outcome. :)

The U.S. did not steal anything from Mexico. In fact, the US paid for Texas and other regions with real money. I find it strange that only anglos can be racist. My grandfather came here from Norway and didn't speak any English, he cleaned the toilets on Coney Island in New York for years, learning English as he worked. I for one think the Spanish language is beautiful as all languages are, but the workplace has to have consistancy in communication. My in-laws speak German at home, but at work, the doctor's office, stores, restaurants, etc, they speak English.

you people should come visit Laredo, where everybody and their mother speaks spanish....Walk into WHATABURGER and try ordering in spanish....it could take a while......lol

You need a major attitude adjustment. If you prefer to speak spanish in my country, then I suggest you move to Mexico where you can speak it all you want and check your citizenship, if YOU are legal at the border. Texas is part of the United States and has been for a long time so GET OVER IT AND DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE FOR THIS COUNTRY OR GET OUT!!!

This woman is racist. It is time to realize that America stole this land from Mexico and Hispanic people must began to take our share of welfare, medicare and jobs away from Americans...we deserve it.

I agree we live in the United States of America not Mexico they come to our country so they need to learn and speak the English language just like we do when we go to Mexico we have to speak their language I see it funny when all of these people from over there come here to live a better life but then parade around with their Mexico lindo bull on their trucks well my opinion is if it is so lindo then go back

just because were mexican-american does not give us the right to speak spanish to anyone and everyone if it is not the other persons native tounge. If true, i find this rude and very unprofessional on part of the Canterbury Court. Im mexican-american and I work with several anglos across the valley and i see it as unprofessional in a work enviroment to speak spanish in front of an anglo because it makes me realize they must be thinking im talking bad about them. that is the biggest problem here in the valley, no manners. And to make things stand out in a diffrent perspective, WE valley people, dont even speak proper Espanol, I for one am one of them!!