The city of Augusta wants to get into the business of mediating and even litigating complaints made over possible discrimination by local businesses. This idea of creating a discrimination ordinance is not good for anyone.
Long gone are the days of the Buffalo Room Lounge in North Augusta that famously refused to serve black patrons. The company went out of business and the building burned down in 2008 erasing any memory of its existence.
However, the current “cancel culture” attitude that is sweeping across America has landed in Augusta with commissioners considering an ordinance so broad that it almost has the potential to be some kind of inquisition where business owners’ hiring practices as well as their relationships with customers are scrutinized by the government.
MORE: Opinion – Sylvia Cooper on Davis’ Discrimination Ordinance
Suppose you own a retail establishment. You are growing and advertise that you need help. A
fellow shows up on your doorstep with face tattoos and multiple piercings. You politely give the man an interview but decline to hire him. He then might have cause to drag you into court for discrimination, especially if he belongs to any of the “protected” groups singled out in the proposed ordinance.
That prospective employee can claim the hiring refusal was based on his status as a minority or as a member of the LGBTQ community. Suddenly, you find yourself, a business owner, in mediation because the person’s appearance did not meet your company’s standards.
Say you own rental property and have the need to evict a tenant for basically squatting and chronically failing to pay rent. The eviction process is already a long, drawn out ordeal for anyone. However, under the proposed ordinance, the squatter can claim discrimination and bog down the process even further.
Not only would you, the lease owner, be faced with mediation and possible fines, but the eviction could potentially be held up in court for years. Meanwhile, your squatter gets to continue to squat while the ordeal plays out in court.
How about the evangelical Christian that photographs weddings, but does not offer her services
to LGBTQ nuptials? The Islamic baker who does not want to bake a cake with the Star of David? The gay bar owner who only wants to cater to gay people? The list can go on and on and on.
Bruce Salter, the owner of the former Buffalo Room Lounge, was not a very nice guy. He was a racist. His racism cost him his business due to federal laws on the books and a change in the public’s attitude towards open racists that evolved decades ago.
The bottom line is that people have the right to discriminate in certain situations. That guy with
piercings applying for a job might be the nicest guy in the world, but no one has the obligation to
hire him if his appearance does not meet company standards.
MORE: Augusta Commission To Consider Discrimination Ordinance
Furthermore, that fundamentalist Islamic baker has the right to refuse service to Jewish
customers if he decides that violates his religious standards. The gay bar owner has the right to
hold “drag queen” night where everyone must show up in drag to gain entrance to the bar.
Bruce Salter was no one’s role model. Yes, he was by all accounts a prejudiced and racist man
and it was society that politely declined to come and buy a drink from him.
Capitalism weeds these sorts out. Anyone in business knows the only color that is important is the color green. When businesses have discriminatory practices, the word gets out and they tend to go out of business. Bruce Salter is a great example.
The Augusta Commission needs to steer clear of the proposed ordinance banning discrimination. Not only is it unnecessary, but the only people it will benefit are the lawyers willing to bottom-feed and sue people frivolously.
