Most of the damage caused by rioting in Washington, D.C., over the weekend happened about four blocks from where I live, and it included the smashing of the glass front door at Busboys and Poets, a restaurant owned by a liberal activist.
I don’t feel sorry for him; not after the way the owner reacted to the vandalism that hit not just his restaurant but other small restaurants and stores as well.
“We had a window broken @busboysandpoets last night,” Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys, wrote Monday morning on Twitter. “No one was hurt. We understand the rage and we stand in complete and unequivocal solidarity with the protests.” He included the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter, #protests2020, #TrumpResignNow, and #Revolution2020.
That is nothing if not a nod of approval and an endorsement of the destruction of private property under the guise of “anger” about racism and police brutality.
It’s also a wonder that Shallal isn’t embarrassed to have said something so stupid out loud. His restaurant, Busboys and Poets, is literally a shrine to liberal causes and, more importantly, the achievements of black Americans throughout history. It routinely serves as a venue for black authors and poets to showcase their work. The entrance of that particular location functions as a book store, selling all kinds of liberal works and children’s books illustrated by black artists.
That the owner would condone any behavior that disrespects an establishment meant to lift up black Americans seems to demonstrate a sick pathology.
I like Busboys and Poets. I spent a lot of time there in 2019 writing my own book. It’s too bad that it was vandalized. But if the owner doesn’t care, I guess I don’t either.
