Name: Fort Worth biscuit restaurant removes hip-hop references from menu after social media backlash
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Fort Worth biscuit restaurant removes hip-hop references from menu after social media backlash

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9:34 AM on Jun 9, 2020 CDTOne Fort Worth business learned over the weekend that going silent during the Black Lives Matter movement is not an option, especially if you’re known for cultural appropriation.Hot Box Biscuit Club is a popular brunch spot owned by Sarah Hooton and Matthew Mobley. Up until just recently, their menu included items with like Ice-T, Gin &amp; Juice, Miso Corny and Puff Daddies.Cultural appropriation itself is suspect, especially when members of a dominant culture take from minority cultures. But at the very least, it should create a sense of responsibility. This was on Elsa Ruggiero’s mind when the 23-year-old hair stylist with a private studio sent Hot Box Biscuit Club Saturday morning.“I don’t like confrontation,” Ruggiero said, interviewed on the phone Sunday afternoon. “But all of the local businesses I follow were making statements. They were lifting up people of color.”But she wasn’t seeing that from Hot Box. “If you’re going to benefit off of a culture, I feel like it makes sense that you would also stand up for that culture when they’re in danger. At this point, staying silent is a political stance. You’re choosing the side of the oppressor. Maybe someone will call you out, maybe they won’t.”In her message to Hot Box on Facebook, Ruggiero wrote: “I noted a significant use of black culture and icons as part of your branding. I’m sure you are aware of the horrible racial turmoil currently rearing its head in our country. I’ve noticed Hot Box being completely silent on the topic of racial injustice and police brutality in our nation. Hot Box has clearly been successful in Fort Worth, and the use of black culture in your branding surely contributes to that.”Ruggiero asked Hot Box to acknowledge the wrongful deaths of African Americans killed by police and detail their “concern and commitment to the black community,” as several other businesses and institutions have done in recent weeks.But the response from Hot Box is what triggered a backlash against the restaurant. What really shook Ruggiero was how cold the response was to her long and thoughtful post:“Thanks.”“So what’s your plan moving forward?” Ruggiero asked.“None of your concern,” was the answer.“It is absolutely my concern,” Ruggiero responded. “Do better.”“It is actually not your concern. But thanks.”After Ruggiero posted screenshots of the exchange on her Facebook account, the outrage online began. The ability to review Hot Box Biscuit Club on Facebook was turned off.Within a few hours, Hot Box Biscuit Club on Facebook. “We back our black community and black businesses,” it said. “We acknowledge that Elsa Ruggeiro gave us the opportunity to be better and we responded with haste.”However, many on social media seemed to doubt the sincerity of the business’ sudden change of heart, and Ruggeiro says that no one from the restaurant has reached out to her.Hot Box did make a second statement that apologized and admitted they were wrong. from the business on Saturday night begins with “Being silent is not an option” before acknowledging “the needless killing of George Floyd.” Related:Perhaps they did learn to do better, but Hot Box co-owner Hooton was still reflecting on the situation when reached by phone Monday. Hooton did confirm that she responded to Ruggiero’s message on Facebook and that a few peaceful protesters showed up at Hot Box on Sunday, but she otherwise chose to stick with her statements online.“As a business owner myself, I don’t like to take a political stance nine times out of ten,” Ruggiero said. “However, I am very passionate about human rights and I do feel that it is a business’ responsibility to stand up for their community. If the people you serve are coming under fire, they won’t be there to serve if you don’t protect them.”“I wasn’t trying to shut them down,” added Ruggiero, who also received plenty of negativity online over the weekend. “When I got their response, I reached out to a couple of my friends to make sure I wasn’t being a Karen. I didn’t expect it to get the attention that it did, but I just want them to take some time to reflect and take the opportunity to impact the community around them.”By Monday morning, all of the hip-hop references had been from Hot Box’s menu. The Big Boi is now the Big Boy, and Dranks are now Drinks.Subscribe to our foodie newsletter to get stories about restaurant openings, closings and where to eat next.By signing up you agree to our

9:34 AM on Jun 9, 2020 CDTOne Fort Worth business learned over the weekend that going silent during the Black Lives Matter movement is not an option, especially if you’re known for cultural appropriation.Hot Box Biscuit Club is a popular brunch spot owned by Sarah Hooton and Matthew Mobley. Up until just recently, their menu included items with like Ice-T, Gin &amp; Juice, Miso Corny and Puff Daddies.Cultural appropriation itself is suspect, especially when members of a dominant culture take from minority cultures. But at the very least, it should create a sense of responsibility. This was...

Fort Worth biscuit restaurant removes hip-hop references from menu after social media backlash

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