A boycott has been launched against Buckhead nightclub Tongue and Groove after the co-owner posted a Facebook status with his thoughts on Donald Trump and hip-hop radio station V-103.
The backlash that started days after Trump became the president-elect stems from people who say they will no longer spend money at the establishment because the owner is "promoting hatred" and showing his "true colors."
Scott Strumlauf's status said: "Radio 103.3 [sic] is a racist station. Stop playing the race card. What a crutch, an excuse. Your [sic] not in jail, you have no limitations. Stop whining and looking for something for nothing. You're owed nothing!!!!! Trump spoke the truth. It may hurt, but too bad."
Tongue & Groove, which will celebrate its 22nd year in business in less than a week, said it regrets Strumlauf's comments towards the V-103 Morning Show.
"While inexcusable, these comments are a direct reflection of the frustration many of us feel in the wake of the presidential election," the club said in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Regardless, we do not support these comments and feel that everyone should learn to work together to promote change. Tongue & Groove prides itself on its diversity — something that we have worked hard to be at the forefront of over the course of our 22 year history."
Atlanta resident Wil May took a screenshot of the post and shared it on several social media sites with the question: "Please explain the truth that Trump speaks to your Black patrons like myself who are offended by Trump's campaign?"
May's post also noted the club gets a lot of its business support from "Black people, media and culture."
A post with the screenshot has solicited more than 600 reactions.
The hashtag #boycottTNG surfaced Thursday.
V-103 host Big Tigger shared the post on Facebook with the comment: "Guess I shouldn't be going back there anytime soon."
Another screenshot began circulating, this one showing a comment thread in which Strumlauf said "all lives matter" and "T&G is a happy place and respects all."
Strumlauf later posted a status which apologized for "referring to 103.3 in that manner and anyone I may have offended."
May, who has been to the club on occasion, said he doesn't think Strumlauf would have apologized if his post hadn't "gone viral."
"I think Atlanta nightlife has a diverse set of issues around race in general. This is an example of one of the issues," May told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a message. "Abusive owners and managers who want the black dollars but don't want to respect black people and lump us all in a few stereotypes."
V-103 was unable to be reached.
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