Readers React: The myth of a racist restaurant industry

To the editor: The group Restaurant Opportunities Center United is doing what it does best: disparaging an industry that provides more opportunity and pathways to success for nearly 2 million Californians from all backgrounds. To insinuate the restaurant industry is “racist” could not be further from the truth. (“From the back of the bus to the back of the house,” Opinion, Feb. 1)

What this piece refuses to acknowledge is that our nation’s restaurant industry is one of the few where the American dream can still be realized no matter your background. More than one-third of America’s restaurant owners are people of color, higher than virtually any other industry, and restaurants also employ more minority managers than any other industry.

Unlike what the author would have you believe, the only color restaurants see is what goes on our plates.

Jot Condie, Sacramento

The writer is president and chief executive of the California Restaurant Assn.

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