Tuesday, October 13, 2009

What's in a Name? The Felony Franks Story

This story from The Wall Street Journal sparks several thoughts.

Chicago businessman opens a hot dog shop in a rough neighborhood. Employs ex-cons. Calls the place "Felony Franks." Neighborhood residents upset.

I have two conflicting reactions:

One side says: "The neighborhood should buy a sense of humor. The entire shop is tongue in cheek and the guy is doing a good deed. What's the big deal?"

The other side says: "Shouldn't there be a stigma, a sense of shame, linked with having committed a felony? Hiring the ex-cons is great, but doesn't the name make light of what they did? This seems to be more direct attack on a stigma than "Godfather's Pizza."

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