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Black Businesswoman Files Suit
I'm glad to see black business people fighting back ["Club Dread," WW, Aug. 17, 2016]. Portland has long made it tougher through regulation for black businesses to thrive.
The city used redlining to help destroy black businesses on Alberta Street. It turned a blind eye to Emanuel Hospital expansion, which destroyed black businesses once thriving on Williams Avenue. It sited Lloyd Center on top of another thriving black business area. And it used "urban renewal" and freeways to decimate the Keller Auditorium and Lair Hill areas, once mixed-race housing and business areas.
Coincidence? Hard to believe.
—"Inkman55"
Police target businesses all the time, including Latino and African-American businesses. But, as in this case, is there more emphasis on the fact that the owner is a minority?
Lots of strip clubs have problems with police and get shut down, without a shooting in the parking lot. Closing this business cannot have been a surprise.
—"Joe Sixpack"
Institutionalized racism in Portland goes deep. I'm hoping this suit effects some positive change. We should all find incidents like those outlined in the lawsuit unacceptable.
—Adam Herstein
A Woman's Story of Courage
What a beautiful story of courage: Women can rise above any adversity! ["She Survived. He Didn't," WW, Aug. 17, 2016.]
The thugs are dead.
Thank you for the details of the ordeal. We can truly appreciate Susan's courage.
—"Ultimate Liberal"
This was a fascinating, horrifying, inspiring, well-told read and great piece of journalism. Beth Slovic, your voice got out of the way and delivered a compelling account with well-chosen details.
"You're strong…" You both are for bringing this story to light.
—"Little Red Elf"
Too Soon for Review?
We here at Honky Tonk Taco thank you for including us on your list of Southeast "bougie" taco joints ["The Great Portland Bougie Taco Crawl," WW, Aug. 17, 2016]. The story brought to light a number of missteps in our very new restaurant that are indeed valid. We appreciate attention on these shortcomings, and we will strive to improve them. Similar errors would be expected at any new establishment, which is why I was so baffled to read the writers swear off ever returning.
They failed to mention that readers might not be getting an accurate snapshot of Honky Tonk Taco, considering they visited in the first 21 days of our existence. To think that any restaurant is ready for a review after operating for just three weeks is preposterous. This is expected in only the worst Yelp reviews. What a shock to find it in your paper.
In a Yelp review, this signals ignorance. In a journalistic endeavor, it borders on negligence.
—Tyler Gaston, co-owner Honky Tonk Taco
Letters to the editor must include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words. Submit to: 2220 NW Quimby St., Portland, OR 97210. Email: mzusman@wweek.com.
Willamette Week