Xscape singer, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and her hubby, T.I., showed up and showed OUT for a discrimination protest against Houston’s Restaurant on Saturday. It all started after their friends, Jay Morrison- a ATL real estate developer, andLove & Hip Hop ATL’s cast members, Deb Atney and Momma Dee- were unfairly refused seating at the restaurant. *Scroll down for video*
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9duhOHG0J/
The Houston’s restaurant in question, is located in Buckhead, one of the most upscale neighborhoods in ATL. Most of the ordeal was caught on camera, as Morrison and his wife spoke up on their group’s behalf. Apparently, the employees didn’t know who Deb, Momma Dee, nor Morrison were so they probably didn’t expect the media firestorm that was about rain down on them next.
Caught On Camera
Morrison posted several videos of the discrimination incident on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ6xs1TgqpO/
Part 1. @HoustonsLenox restaurant on Lenox Rd. just discriminated against me, my woman and my team. We asked to be seated as totally separate parties, with individual waiters, separate bills and not even in the same section. Even as a party of 4 they continued to refuse us seating. WE ARE ABOUT TO SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN. More videos to come…
There’s more…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ6z_JeAfcH/
And this…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ60vIcgxdc/
Deb Atney & Momma Dee also spoke out…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9LHkBA_Uh/
The Boycott Houston’s Protest
Little did the Houston’s employees know, T.I., Momma Dee, Deb and Morrison were about to hit back with a vengeance. The very next day, they’d already gotten the word out to their many social media followers and organized a protest:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ75-78jcMz/
troubleman: 31Ok so I’ve heard 4 different stories from 4 different sources about discrimination against US at 2 separate Houstons Steakhouse locations in my city. Tomorrow we get answers. #HoustonsWeHaveAProblem
By Saturday afternoon, a ton of people showed up and then this happened…
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9cISvjHWC/
“Ain’t no damn spinach dip today,” LOL…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9cUr4jNGF/
Houston’s Tries To Do Damage Control
After the news of Houston’s discrimination began circulating like wild fire across the internet, the restaurant caught major flack online. So much so, that Houston’s Buckhead (Lenox) location is trying to do damage control. Although the did pull a coward move- they disabled the comments so people can’t leave the backlash responses they know they would get after this:
houstonslenox: We have employed a diverse, hard-working staff serving Atlanta’s similarly diverse clientele for many years. Charges of discrimination are not only unfounded but are an intentional manipulation using social media. Our policies and guidelines apply equally to everyone. Our restaurants are not set up to accommodate large groups, with only a limited number of tables that can accommodate large parties together. Our Houston’s in Atlanta recently instituted a policy whereby large parties of 7 or more will not be split into separate groups at different tables, which means that larger groups may not be able to dine with us at certain times. We decided to close our Lenox Houston’s today from the anticipation of protests and threats made against the restaurant and staff members. We will always choose the side of caution when it comes to protecting our valued staff and guests.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Houston’s has made news for discrimination. They might wanna re-assess some things on the corporate level to get to the root of why these sorts of allegations continue to occur.
