Workforce Language Services

“This country is a melting pot, but what makes it work is the English language,” Vento told the commission. “I’m not stupid. I would never put a sign out to hurt my business.”Vento posted two small signs in October 2005 at his shop in a diverse South Philadelphia neighborhood, telling customers, “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’”

Up for discussion at Commission on Human Relations hearing in Philadelphia was whether Vento’s sign was discriminatory.  The governing panel doesn’t think they will make a decision for another few months.  In the meantime, I would hope that potential customers who were unsure about their English skills would find another establishment from which to buy their steak and cheese.

Read more here.