Aiken Restaurant's Sign Raising Questions

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By Michael Buczyner michaelb@nbcaugusta.com

A sign outside an Aiken County restaurant is attracting some negative attention. At the center of the controversy is a presidential candidate and his background.

The owner of the Bullseye Big Chicken Restaurant has taken down a sign that advertised a 2 Piece Mixed Obama special.

The sign outside of Bullseye Big Chicken is leaving a bad taste in some people's mouths. NBC Augusta received a picture from a viewer who wanted to know if there's hate behind the words.

We took the picture to Bullseye Big Chicken on Richland Avenue in Aiken County.

Outside of the restaurant, the sign and saying in question were still standing when we arrived. We asked the restaurant’s owner if he thought it could be offensive. "I wouldn't think so," Bruce Pierson said.

Inside of the restaurant, known for Southern-fried chicken, owner Bruce Pierson defends the wording on the sign, calling himself a supporter of Barack Obama.

"I really think it's self explanatory. I put a little special on there for the people that voted in the primary, that's all," Pierson said.

That special Pierson is talking about was also visible inside of his restaurant.

"It says an Obama special. I'm an Obama fan, that's all I can tell you,” Pierson said.

Saturday, Feb 9 at 10:29 PM CLH wrote ...

The whole story is absurd... the owners are great people and are just trying to sell chicken ...get over it!!!!

Friday, Feb 1 at 11:31 PM Out of Context wrote ...

When fried chicken restaurants advertise, they always specify if they are serving white meat or dark meat. All chicken places do this so that people will know what kind of chicken they are receiving. He merely added a welcoming sign to Barak Obama, my candidate of choice. Those were three different chicken options, and a separate welcome to Obama. He should have put "Welcome Obama" at the top, but he didn't, and he says he'll fix it. I do not believe it was meant as a racial slur.

Friday, Feb 1 at 1:46 PM MS JOHNSON wrote ...

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING REALLY WRONG W/WHAT WAS ON THAT SIGN. PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO GET OVER THEMSELFS, & QUIT READING SO MUCH INTO THINGS.AND AS FOR THE PERSON WHO SAID HE PROBALLY HAD A 3RD GD ED, WELL HE OWNS HIS OWN BUSINESS, & YOUR REMARK I WOULD SAY WAS RACIST.SOMETIMES IT'S EASIER FOR AN IGNORANT PERSON TO HIDE BEHIND THEIR ANGER. THEN TRY TO THINK GOOD OF A PERSON.SO I SAY LEAVE THE MAN ALONE, AND FIND SOMETHING REALLY NEWS WORTHY, NEW DAY, NEW BEGINNING.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 10:29 PM connoisseur wrote ...

Give Mr. Pierson the benefit of doubt. His expertise is culinary, not marketing.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 2:25 PM Christy wrote ...

I find it absolutely hilarious. Freedom of Speech at its best. If ya'll don't like what the south has to say, LEAVE!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 1:15 PM barack wrote ...

The Hillary special islarge thighs and small breasts

Thursday, Jan 31 at 12:05 PM Renee wrote ...

I agree with the person who said why put salt in an already “sensitive” wound. As a black woman it’s discouraging to hear some of the people on here defending him. The owner may very well be a good man with good intentions, but that doesn’t give him the right to sell chicken with an underlying “mixed” tone. It’s like letting someone you work with get away with telling a racailly insensitive joke, because he’s a “good guy”.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 11:55 AM Melissa wrote ...

The owner is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 9:30 AM A New Day wrote ...

Find a new thing already. I am African American and I am so tired of listening to all of the hidden racism plots. We know what happened in the past and what is going on right now, but to get so carried away about a chicken special. GOOD LORD!!!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 9:12 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Just let it go. "Cant we all just get along" ?

Thursday, Jan 31 at 7:13 AM CoolRay wrote ...

I am African American and I don't find the sign offensive. Americans are getting way too sensitive these days both Black and White. I hope the owner does not change the sigh. He is just showing his support for Obama. However it's great marketing though.lol

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 9:00 PM Lisa wrote ...

Regardless of whether it was meant in support or not he had to have known selling a mixed dinner based on someone of mixed heritage is tacky. And if he didn't know that, there is a sensitivity chip missing.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 7:10 PM Bobbie wrote ...

Lets make a big deal outta nothing. I work at the restraunt myself and see nothing wrong with it and know for a fact this man is not racist. I think it is sad that aiken has to make something big outta a sign there is worse things going on. All this is getting said about Mr. Pierson but does the news yet to tell anyone that he is raising three mixed kids in his own home didn't think so people get a darn life

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 6:06 PM Mare wrote ...

2 piece and a biscut! People are reading way too far into this.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 6:05 PM Clumber wrote ...

There is no doubt that some people need to get a life.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 4:53 PM Little Ms. Sunshine wrote ...

Some folks look up in the sky and see a bunny in a cloud while other folks see a scary face. Fact is, it's only a cloud and you see what you want to see.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 4:45 PM Desiree' Council wrote ...

I think that people are absolutely ridiculous to try and make something out of nothing. Most chicken establishments sell their chicken in either white meat or dark meat or mixed, dark and white. It is standard. It should be considered an honor to have a meal named after him.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 3:26 PM MBCarlton wrote ...

Some Senators are fortunate enough to have bodies of water and landmarks named for them while others have chicken dinners named for them. Those who choose to see negativity in everthing, will likely never be remembered for anything.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 2:23 PM Angel wrote ...

I can't believe this is even on the news.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 2:20 PM B Positve Folks! wrote ...

Good example of pessimism at its best. Get real compaliners!! He said he was a supporter and it is his restaurant. I say...good deal on a 2 piece and looks like a good deal on a President!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 1:59 PM Shane wrote ...

I can't believe some one would clearly take an african American stereo type of eating chicken and then apply it to Obama on a sign because he's black. If the guy were black it would be alright like in the Boondocks and Dave Chapelle, but he's not so it isn't alright.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 12:59 PM Denise wrote ...

It's not that big of a deal. He's an Obama supporter and wants people to think about Obama. Would this be an issue if he restaurant sold Italian or Mexican food. NO!!! Get real people, and find something better to discuss and I happen to be black and I don't think it's racist. Keep the sign up buddy!!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 12:14 PM Regina wrote ...

It's not about him being racist,it's just inappropriate and wrong! Case closed.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 11:55 AM sherwood wrote ...

there are far greater issues in this country than a sign......get real people.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 11:11 AM Jae wrote ...

I agree with the comment that came in Yesterday at 6:04 PM.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 11:07 AM lilycup wrote ...

I am too familiar with people taking things out of context, which seems to be what has happened here. Leave the man alone. He is offering a chicken special. So what!?

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 10:48 AM Vonita Valentine wrote ...

My family and I frequent Big Chicken often. We are African-Americans. There is nothing wrong with the sign because he already had the dark and white 2 piece special signs up months ago. As for the Obama special, my mom and dad were there when he put the sign up. This man is not racist, he is simply offering a discount to Obama supporters. It's not like he put up a Confederate flag or the "N" word in big letters. In fact, the owner has biracial grandchildren whom he loves very much. Let it go!!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 9:58 AM Blessed wrote ...

I am not upset at the sign. I find it to be a good marketing strategy, while supporting your favorite candidate. We as African Americans have bigger things to worry about other than signs that may or may not be racially motivated. Let's focus on the issues in American that impair our upward mobility in the American Society. Let's focus on our children's education and future. Let's either eat the chicken or pass up on a darn good two piece deal. (And you know we love a good two piece special)

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 9:53 AM LONG TIME RESIDENT wrote ...

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS IS NOT A RACE ISSUE IT IS A GREY AREA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE "SPECIALS" PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN. A TRUE SUPPORTER WOULD DONATE AT LEAST 50%! EVERY ONE KNOWS THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE PATRONIZED THE BUSINESS FROM TIME TO TIME OVER MANY YEARS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS CLOSE TO THE TRACKS WHERE MOST OF THE PATRONS WERE BLACK!HMMMMMM! TO MAKE IT RIGHT GIVE OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN 50%OF THE SPECIAL PROCEEDS. IF YOU ARE A TRUE SUPPORTER

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 8:53 AM Ron wrote ...

Get a life, I'm a Black Man and don't see anything wrong with this sign. What if a Black person place the same thing on a sign would it be racist. Black people say and do worst things to each other every day. Grow up people.

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 7:25 AM shannon wrote ...

This is the problem with America, lets take nothing and blow it up! If people would stop wearing their hearts on their sleeves and quit worrynig about hurting someones feeling this would be a much better place. As for the moron that stated "What do you expectf from Aiken", Look around, it's in your backyard to!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 5:42 AM valentine wrote ...

I am not only surprised that the owner didn't think before he put the sign up, but I am surprised at the comments I have read thus far. If a person has a sore, why would you hit it? Racial issues are like a sore, so why go there. I am shocked at this man because most of his patronage is probably blacks and to have a laugh at the expense of the black community was not funny at all!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 5:34 AM morgan wrote ...

I was caught off guard when I saw the sign. And it says exactly what he meant for it to say. Obama is of mixed race hence 2pc "mixed". It was a sly, "good ol boy" comment. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what he meant. Out of the heart, the mouth speaks!

Wednesday, Jan 30 at 5:15 AM Bethanie wrote ...

Why does everything have to be about race? A guy tried to support a candidate, maybe in a bit of an ill advised way, but there was nothing racist about it. Not everything is about skin color. Stop trying to create controversy.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:25 PM sm wrote ...

This is insane. tell me who the racist is? The man who put an sign up to sell chicken and show his political support or the person who sees nothing but a racist remark. If we would stop looking for racism maybe we will see less of it.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:21 PM SB wrote ...

If you knew Bruce and his family, you'd know he's not a racist. If the sign said Clinton white special, would there be a big deal over it? If Obama was anywhere else on the sign but in front of mixed, would it make a differenc? I don't understand why everything has to be about RACE. Bruce may have been a supporter of Clinton and maybe after following her he decided to support Obama.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:14 PM James Absher wrote ...

Wow. Look i live next door to this Man and he has raised three mixed kids for about 11 years now. How is that rascist? Leave the man and his bussiness alone.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:11 PM Marcia Plunkett wrote ...

Mr. Pierson, I'm a good person. I'd be honored if you'd name a chicken dinner after me/my family since there seems to be a problem with naming it after Mr. Obama. It's time for common sense to make a come back in this country. Remember the right to free speech applies to everyone American. In addition to that, remember "Sticks and stones..."

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:11 PM Aaron Washington wrote ...

Sometimes I just don't get it. This is a man who is an Obama supporter and is using his business as a spring board for his thoughts, nothing else. Its small minded activity like this story that keeps racism at the forefront in the south. I personally dont think that he is racist.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:01 PM Guppy wrote ...

The owner seemed a bit squirrelly to me. He was either blissfully ignorant of the possible offense or he was trying to wiggle out of responsibility after getting caught. I'm not sure which. If he really is innocent of any maliciousness, he's certainly guilty of communicating his support for Obama poorly. The sign is ambiguous at best. One thing is clear, we can hurt others with our carelessness. I don't think extreme PC-ness is the answer. Care and a well-timed apology, when needed, is.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 10:57 PM goldie54 wrote ...

Ignorance, Southern Ignorance. Listen to how he speaks. Probably 3rd grade education.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 10:29 PM Mike wrote ...

I don't see how anyone in their right mind, especially a small business man could vote for a democrat,he along with everyone else should vote republican!

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:36 PM SAY IT AIN'T SO wrote ...

WHY DOES A POWERFUL BLACK MAN HAVE TO BE REDUCED TO A CHICKEN DINER?

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:35 PM chicksupporter wrote ...

just a smart business guy using current events and elections to make some extra business give him a break he is not a racist

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:28 PM Elephant Ears 4123 wrote ...

forget obama, i want the romney special

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:25 PM lifelessvotedog wrote ...

how does he not know this is offensive

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:22 PM augustadiva1975 wrote ...

Just more proof the CSRA is filled with people who are racially ignorant and insensitive

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:21 PM AOHK wrote ...

AT LEAST ITS NOT THE DARK MEAT

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:19 PM OpinionDriven2008 wrote ...

The race card again lighten up!!! he likes obama and just was showing support for the guy

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 6:18 PM Tia wrote ...

I'm an Aiken resident and that sign orignally said "Welcome Bill" then Obama two piece...When asked employees and some patrons laughed and said the owner was a Clinton supporter.I was offended by the sign but not surprised. This type of thing goes on all the time over here in Aiken.It's very sad

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 6:11 PM Len wrote ...

Where is the visual? You probably need to show the sign on this site so that folks can comment.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 6:04 PM Patricia Allen wrote ...

Please give us a break from news that is not newsworthy. This man owns a business and has freedom of speech. Let those who are trying to make something out of nothing find something to fill their time.

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