Flap over 'Roundeye Noodle Bar'
The name is racist, says an Asian American group.
Flap over 'Roundeye Noodle Bar'
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Roundeye Noodle Bar - for now, a "pop-up" restaurant as it awaits a permanent home - has drawn the ire of Asian Americans United, an advocacy group.
Organizer Helen Gym says the name is racist. "In the owners' words, they are 'two white boys from the suburbs' ... creating a 'hip noodle spot,'" she wrote in an email advisory to the media over the weekend, on the eve of Roundeye's second pop-up. Roundeye is the creation of friends (and Anglos) Shawn Darragh and Matyson chef Ben Puchowitz.
"But if these self-named 'white boys' are the 'roundeye' noodle makers what does that make the Asian noodle places they're modeling their place after? As a city notoriously home to Chink's Steaks, it's really a shame that a well-regarded spot like Matysons [sic] would lower their reputation to a legacy of petty, derogatory names in an effort to be 'hip.'"
She continued: "I don't think the owners of 'Roundeye' had specific intent, but that's exactly the problem with racial stereotypes - they're so deeply ingrained people don't even question it.
I also heard from AAU executive director Ellen Somekowa, who wrote: "If you grow up Asian in America, there is no more common put down than ridicule of the shape of our eyes. There is no way to hear the name, 'Roundeye,' without at the same time hearing what it is being contrasted to. .. A very hurtful racist slur -- SLANTEYES."
Darragh said he heard from an AAU representative Saturday. "We're not really sure what to do with this," he told me. "She was very nice,. We intended it as a play on words, making fun of ourselves - not trying to be offensive to anyone. We're not racist, but this is making us out to be racist. The weird thing is that the majority of our customers are Asian. Some of the them think it's a funny name. Some people get offended and some don't."
He said they might consider changing the name once a permanent home was found for the noodle restaurant.
The idea of a restaurant is progressing. Darragh said they now have an investor, and they're beginning to scour Center City for a location.
Sunday's pop-up, held at Matyson, drew about 250 people, he said.
Read Drew Lazor's commentary: An Asian-American take on the Roundeye Noodle name
- My asian friends used to call me "roundeye" as a joke...is that racist?
— Big Gulps - If they're calling the place RoundEye wouldn't that be racist towards non asian people?— neddyflanders
- Stop making sense and get offended about the fortune cookies in the B and J ice cream named after a Chinese guy — 420-24-7
- I agree with Helen. I also propose that every Irish bar with a "Mc" in the title be banned too. It's just too offensive to have to deal with.— DixonBunz
- The name is offensive. The owners even admit it!! "Some people get offended and some don't." Change the name if you want my business.— NotADoneDeal
- Is that the new standard - if one person is offended by something we must accommodate the offended? If you don't like the name don't eat there, simple. — tooly
- This comment has been deleted.— GREEKPICNIC
- i don't see how bringing up the issue of racialization is "making a career". You lost me. What finanacial interest would Ms. Gym have in questioning the racial overtones and undertones of the name of a noodle bar? And as for your analogy, the term "white" was created by white people. Look back to the original slave laws (black and white became legalistic terms). "Asian" refers to a geological heritage. Oriental is not used anymore... and "Roundeye" is a racist word for whitey... it's a tasteless name, tinged with racialized innuendo. That's all they're saying... You won't see me there with that name either..
— Pluski - People really should find actual issues to get worked up over instead of looking for things like this and the fortune cookies in the Lin-Sanity ice cream. Just because someone's feelings get hurt by something, doesn't mean they deserve to have a newspaper article written about them. If they don't want to go to these guys place to eat because they don't like the name, great, that's their choice.— Elbarad
Comment removed.- you are truly breathtaking. — ekw555
- @GreekPicnic: The "two white boys" phrase comes from the owners themselves. Let me guess, you didn't didn't score so well on Reading Comprehension.— NotADoneDeal
- Bravo to these guys for not letting the politically correct nimrod movement to dictate to them what they are allowed to name their restaurant. Stand firm men. You will be rewarded by a loyal customer base.— hawk
- It would be racist if it was called the SlantEye Noodle Bar. Roundeye seems fine to me.— edm1102
- Comment removed.
