A Texas food truck operator says he’s received threats against him and his business after offering free sandwiches in exchange for Confederate flags — a plan that backtracks on initial plans to burn them.
“We were thinking we are going to destroy it in unity with the American flag over it on the Fourth of July,” Rob Jenkins, owner of Po Boys and Rich Chics, told the Daily News Friday.
“We realized that we were going to lose some customers over this. We were OK with it,” he said.
Then the hate and anger started.
“We’ve gotten ‘burn the business down.’ We’ve gotten that a few times,” he said of recent online threats which include ones more sinister against him and his family. “It’s crazy.”
“It wasn’t meant to disrespect anyone and maybe our way about going about it was a little insensitive to people.”
The Odessa business owner’s idea for a trade-in deal comes amid growing nationwide discussions on removing the relic, Civil War battle flags on state grounds.
Some see them as a modern-day symbol of the South while many others see it as symbolizing racism.
“To me, it represents prejudice and hatred,” Jenkins told Your Basin News. “It’s really hard to argue against that.”
But many have, and are.
Backlash and threats against Jenkins and his small business led him recanting his initial offer of burning the flags.
While he says his trade-in deal still stands — and he insists he’s not living in fear — flags and any other Confederate-branded items handed over will now be donated to a museum instead. It’s one yet to be selected, he said.
“We realize we have caused tensions with our views on what the confederate flag represents,” Jenkins posted on Facebook Wednesday.
“We are still doing our donation request, however we will not burn or destroy any of it. Instead, we will donate it to a museum in which it may be viewed respectfully.
“We apologize if our view on this offends you, however that’s what makes this nation great. We can agree to disagree! If this changes your views to eat with us, we can only say you are missing out!!!” he concluded.
While Jenkins’ business appeared to be operating as usual Friday, his Facebook post generated more than 60 comments of heated discussion and debate.
Many appear to support Jenkins’ opinions while many others say he’s poorly informed about the flag’s meaning.
“The flag has nothing to do with racism,” Kelli Maldonado snapped while vowing not to visit his food truck.
“With you choosing to support an altered meaning of said flag you are only supporting the agenda that of those whom created this misguided meaning of the confederate flag,” Matt Popp added. “Mind you, the altered meaning was created 75yrs after the flag first flew. Way to go for being part of the problem rather then (sic) part of the solution.”
“I don’t think anyone cares about the history of it,” Jenkins responded. “They care about what it symbolizes in today’s culture and the people who have adopted it as their own with no objection from those who actually care about it.”
He further likened it to the swastika symbol which was birthed thousands of years before it was taken to symbolize the German Nazi Party whose reign led to the murder of some 6 million European Jews.
“The truth is, it doesn’t matter what ELSE the swastika has stood for because it’s ruined now. You can’t ‘bring it back’ as a symbol of peace or ANYTHING else…” he argued.
