| As another answer mentioned, this kind of sign has a history. Up until the 1964 Civil Rights Act businesses were free to discriminate against blacks, American Indians, and other minorities by refusing to serve them or allow them to sit indoors. Before the Act passed many business owners argued that businesses were private property and the government had no right or authority to set rules for them. Passage of the Civil Rights Act made discrimination in businesses illegal but throughout the South many stores and restaurants put up these "we reserve the right" signs to show their defiance of the law. These signs are particularly associated with Lester Maddox, who was elected governor of Georgia after becoming a celebrity for being "forced" to sell his restaurant when he refused to serve blacks. Today I don't know if these signs have the same intention. Some businesses probably put them up just to be able to turn away rowdy customers. I would be interested to know how African-Americans respond when they see these signs and if they think there is a hidden message implied. |
"The Right to Refuse Service to Anyone"