Larry Whitten
Larry Whitten is making headlines because he is a hotelier in Taos, New Mexico who is being labeled a racist because he told employees they needed to drop their Hispanic first names, and were not allowed to speak Spanish in front of him... [more]
Larry Whitten is making headlines because he is a hotelier in Taos, New Mexico who is being labeled a racist because he told employees they needed to drop their Hispanic first names, and were not allowed to speak Spanish in front of him. He says he's just trying to appease guests, and it has nothing to do with racism. He said in an AP interview that he was sorry and never meant to offend anyone.
Larry Whitten Labeled a Racist for Policies at a New Mexico Hotel
Larry Whitten bought a struggling hotel in Taos, New Mexico and implemented new rules and procedures for his employees, but they didn't go over very well. Now, the 63-year-old is being labeled a racist for telling his workers they needed to alter their first names to sound more Anglicanized, and they weren't allowed to speak Spanish in front of him because he doesn't speak the language.
Larry Whitten. (nydailynews.com)
Larry didn't think anything was wrong with his policies, but the workers and community are in an uproar because of his alleged racism and ignorance. He defended his new rules, saying they were for the benefit of guests who were not familiar with the culture.
He said in an interview (via NY Daily News): "It has nothing to do with racism. I'm not doing it for any reason other than for the satisfaction of my guests, because people calling from all over America don't know the Spanish accents or the Spanish culture or Spanish anything."
Whitten was interviewed by the Associated Press and apologized for the misunderstanding and said his intention wasn't to offend or infuriate anyone.
Larry Whitten. (nydailynews.com)Larry didn't think anything was wrong with his policies, but the workers and community are in an uproar because of his alleged racism and ignorance. He defended his new rules, saying they were for the benefit of guests who were not familiar with the culture.
He said in an interview (via NY Daily News): "It has nothing to do with racism. I'm not doing it for any reason other than for the satisfaction of my guests, because people calling from all over America don't know the Spanish accents or the Spanish culture or Spanish anything."
Whitten was interviewed by the Associated Press and apologized for the misunderstanding and said his intention wasn't to offend or infuriate anyone.
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Comments
Is this guy an idiot? Just because you can run a Piggly Wiggly doesnt mean you can run a Sachs Fifth Avenue. Taos is an upscale and diversified place like Santa Cruz, Park City, Sedona or North Beach San Fran. This guy is the worst kind of hick. Go back to texas....we dont need no trailer parks in Taos!!!
Garagehero - what are you talking about? This man owns hotels all over the county. His employees called him a "White Nigger" - you call that upscale and diversified? Also, its Saks you idiot.
What a b-tch. He should change his name to Paco.
I understand if he wants them to speak English, but change their names? P-uh-lease. :|
"we don't need no trailer parks" -- exactly who is the hick here? Why don't you stick to being the hero of garages -- trash and grease suit you. Next time: check your facts or save your comments.
Please, tell Mr. "Whiten-up-'Merica" to get his ignorant self back to Bush country. Don't despoil the coolness of Taos with this inbred's ideas. Can we help rid Taos of Larry? i would drive 13 hours to help out!
You are kidding right? Almost all of New Mexico is a crap hole. I lived in Roswell. Wow that place was literally New Mexico except without the "New". You have obviously never been to Texas. It beats the hell out of New Mexico. They dropped the A-Bomb on New Mexico for a reason. It was for improvement. Without space and bombs New Mexico would not have a purpose. Texas brings in a lot of money. Its a lot more than trailer parks, and its a lot more than New Mexico. I know because I have lived in both.
If my employer asked me to go by another name it wouldn't be that difficult. They make Asians change their names all the time for the same reason. Its not like hes asking them to change their official birth certificate names.That is if they even have one lol.
People in America need to stop being a bunch of sue happy babies and realize that business is not about feelings its about making money. So if you have a problem with it start your own business. This "Your ignorant!" crap without a valid point is getting really really old. You say "I am ignorant!" I say your retarded and "who cares."
If my employer asked me to go by another name it wouldn't be that difficult. They make Asians change their names all the time for the same reason. Its not like hes asking them to change their official birth certificate names.That is if they even have one lol.
People in America need to stop being a bunch of sue happy babies and realize that business is not about feelings its about making money. So if you have a problem with it start your own business. This "Your ignorant!" crap without a valid point is getting really really old. You say "I am ignorant!" I say your retarded and "who cares."
Why has no one raised issue with all of the call center workers in India changing their names to more Anglican names for the purposes of customer service relations? This is exactly what Larry has done. Also, it's his business and he has not broken any laws. It's not discrimination, and it's certainly not racists. He's come up with a plan to save these workers' jobs. It's no different than asking an employee dressed in inappropriate work attire to dress for business. This guy obviously wants to project a more Anglican image to his customers and that is within his rights. His customer base is more Anglican he says, so there should be no issue with it. People who don't like can choose not work there, or they can not stay there, whatever. But this guy has a perfectly legitimate business reason for what he asked of his employees working the phones.
Oh he makes me sick! And Im glad something some kind of truth of his real sef is being shown here!
I worked for this puke in Oklahoma City!
Oh, the dirt I know
I worked for this puke in Oklahoma City!
Oh, the dirt I know
I know if I ever go to Taos, I will be staying in a nice Chain Hotel (like Holiday Inn express.) As a matter of fact, I would rather sleep in my car than stay in his dive of a hotel! This idiot needs to be put out of business and fast!
Larry Whitten's antics in Taos have attracted the attention of a number of White Supremacist and "English Only" groups that wish to be identified with him and his policies and practices. UNIVISION - Primer Impacto is carrying a piece on the issue tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The affected employees are native Hispanos whose heritage in the Taos area goes back 400+ years. None of them are immigrants. Whitten is the immigrant.
Want to help the Whitten Inn Protest? come over on the 14 of November. Bigg huge rally. ACLU, LULAC,Somos Un Pueblo are showing thier support. It will be a great event and you too can show your support
damn fucking ignorant white piece of trash
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