Umani ng reaksiyon at komento sa social media ang viral Facebook post ng isang netizen na nagngangalang "Michael Melvin Odoemene," isang half-Nigerian at half-Filipino, matapos niyang ibahagi ang naging karanasan sa isang kinainang restaurant sa Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
Aniya, hindi niya nagustuhan ang nakalagay na note sa resibo, na sa kaniyang palagay ay nagpapakita ng "racist remarks." Hindi raw niya sukat akalaing maglalagay ng note ang kahera sa resibo hinggil sa kaniyang pagkakakilanlan, na sa kaniyang palagay, ay hindi naman kailangan.
"I don't usually post about things or people that have wronged me. But last April 30, 2024, approximately 12 midnight, I went to North Park, Tomas Morato with some friends to have dinner. Following my meal at the restaurant, I received a receipt with this note written on it - 'SA NAKA BLACK NA NAKAUPO SA 14 KULOT ANG BUHOK KAMUKHA NI BLACK JACK,'" ani Michael.
"This behavior was exhibited by one of their staff members, who took it upon herself to make remarks about my appearance based on my racial background. As an individual of Nigerian and Filipino descent, I know I'm different. But was the note necessary?"
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Kaagad daw niyang dinala ang concern sa assistant manager ng restaurant subalit tila hindi siya nasiyahan sa naging pag-aksyon nito. Hiningi raw niya ang orihinal na resibo bilang katibayan.
"Upon bringing this matter to the attention of the assistant manager present at the time, I was met with a dismissive response. I had to [repeatedly] ask for the original receipt back. At first, the manager DID NOT WANT to give it back saying excuses like 'natapon na po' or nawawala na. Wala na system. I stood firm and told them I won't leave until I get the original receipt back. By then, they decided to give the original receipt to me already."
"While he assured me that the waitress (the one who wrote on the receipt) would be reprimanded, I am left feeling unsatisfied with the resolution provided. Merely reprimanding the staff member in question does not address the broader issue of fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect within their restaurant."
Ayon kay Michael, ipinost niya sa social media ang insidente upang ipakalat ang kamalayan o awareness tungkol sa pagbibigay ng racist comments o paghuhusga sa mga estranghero, lalo't isa siyang customer.
"I am posting this for awareness against racism or any form of judgment/bias passed to strangers. Who knows how many black people they have done this to? Is this the standard of customer service for North Park? They apologized, yes, but what lessons can we learn from this experience?"
"Gets ko, nagju-judge naman talaga tayo, consciously or unconsciously. If we keep it in our heads and be mindful not to act upon it, then walang na-offend. Di kailangan isulat sa resibo and worse i-hand over sa customer mo pa mismo."
Sa eksklusibong panayam ng Balita kay Michael, nasabi niyang pinag-iisipan pa raw niya kung magsasampa siya ng legal na reklamo laban sa nabanggit na restaurant, na batay na rin sa naikomento niya sa post na sumasangguni na siya sa mga abogado tungkol dito.
Narito naman ang ilan sa mga reaksiyon at komento ng netizens:
"Pursue it with top management, Michael, if you can. You have solid proof. This kind of behavior has no place in modern society. Babae pa man din siya."
"Grabe sila. Tama 'yang ginawa mo. Bawal dito sa America 'yan. Tapos customer ka pa naman. Dapat sinabi mo sa kanila customer is always right."
"bastos naman nyan...hindi mo dapat pinalagpas lang ng ganun ito bro michael...mauulit yan and who knows, matagal na nilang ginagawang biruan yan amongst them..."
"Halatang sinadya. Kasi kung tutuusin pwede namang ilagay na lang TABLE 14. Isa lang naman siguro ang table 14 nila."
Samantala, nakipag-ugnayan ang Balita sa nabanggit na restaurant subalit wala pang tugon, reaksiyon, o opisyal na pahayag ang kanilang kinatawan o pamunuan tungkol sa isyung ito. Bukas ang Balita sa kanilang panig.
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