Jim Boggess felt obligated to tell his neighbors about his life story. Boggess, a deli owner in Flemington, New Jersey, thought he had found the best way to carry out his idea.
A handmade sign on the window of a Main Street deli encouraged customers to “CELEBRATE YOUR WHITE HERITAGE IN MARCH, WHITE HISTORY MONTH.”
Boggess was disappointed by the reaction to the sign. A customer named Bhakti Curtis voiced her opposition to the billboard loud and clear.
Curtis, a person of mixed race, was incensed by the sign. He filed a report with the Flemington police. As he saw it, the sign was “mocking Black History Month,” and the crossed “T” in “WHITE” was reminiscent of the KKK.
Even though authorities did not find the sign to be racist or objectionable, Boggess was prepared to face extra punishments.
After being questioned about it for nearly four days, he finally took down the sign. Unfortunately, the damage was done. His financial situation continued to worsen as customers abandoned the restaurant.
Boggess was forced to close the deli only one month after the sign went up. He had already apologized to Curtis and the two had posed for a picture together shaking hands, but the problem persisted.
Eventually, Boggess had no choice but to appeal to the general populace for help. Under the headline “Jimbo’s White History Sign Gone Bad,” he started a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the sign.
This page’s text says: If you’re unfamiliar with this article and would want to learn more about White History Month and Flemington, just type those terms into Google!
After four days of mayhem, I was forced to remove the sign for several reasons. The sole meaning intended was that it was white, but other connotations were read onto it.
I don’t think I deserve this because I wanted to celebrate my heritage and my white identity like everyone else. Please let me know where in the United States my readers are located by commenting below with your city and state.
I’m grateful for your assistance and promise to keep searching for employment. I appreciate it. Boggess, Jimbo.
Boggess said that he has received several expressions of solidarity from people all around the country. He lost his customers and his belief in the American dream as a result.