It looks like we will be avoiding Side Street Grille in Hamden, CT

Of course it wasn't meant to be racist. . .yeah right. I am sure all of the Side Street Grille's African American patrons took part in the fun. We understand this is America and we can make fun of the president and while the mere act of making fun of the president is not racist, playing into racial stereotypes is.

The New Haven Register: NAACP blasts bar's pimped-out Obama

Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

HAMDEN — A cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama that appeared to depict the commander-in-chief as a pimp has drawn the attention of the NAACP.

The life-size image, which was accessorized with gold teeth, a pink woman’s hat, Mardi Gras beads, a hair pick and ornate rings, was taken down Tuesday from its perch behind the bar at the Side Street Grille on Whitney Avenue, four days after a black patron noticed and first complained. He contacted the NAACP this week after he returned Monday and saw it still on display.

“I was appalled when I saw the actual picture e-mailed over to me,” said Scot X. Esdaile, the NAACP state president, who said the display crossed any line of political parody. “The thing is a negative racial stereotype,” he said. “I don’t know of any negative racial stereotype aimed at George Bush.”

Bob Severino, owner of the bar, which is located near the Quinnipiac University campus, said Tuesday that the cutout was simply a joke and nothing more. He bristled at what he called strong-arm threats of pickets if the cutout wasn’t removed.
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