Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn, owned by Parviz Mukhamadkulov (inset), brewed up a feud with U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and refused his business over his pro-Israel stance.
Photo via Google Maps/Inset via LinkedIn
All Dan Goldman wanted to do was buy a cup of coffee.
He was out on Sunday campaigning in Brooklyn for re-election to his Congressional seat when he paid a visit to Poetica Coffee. Goldman said the staff politely served him a cup of coffee, which he said he bought so his daughter could use the restroom. But it was after they left that trouble brewed.
Poetica Coffee took to social media after Goldman’s visit to tell its followers that they were rejecting the Congressman’s money because of his stance in support of Israel. The coffee shop’s statement was far from expressing polite disagreement over politics.
“See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between,” the message read. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”
The anger-filled tirade stirred up plenty of emotion for those sympathetic to Goldman over being attacked for his politics, and those sympathetic to Poetica Coffee for taking its stand. But it also got the attention of the U.S. Justice Department, which announced on Tuesday that it would open a potential civil rights investigation into Poetica Coffee; and #EndJewHatred, a pro-Israel organization that is holding a protest outside one of Poetica’s locations Wednesday in opposition to its ban on Goldman.
For those who side with Poetica in this ugly episode, we ask this: What if it had banned a lawmaker because of their stance on other political issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, or support of marriage equality?
If they feel it would be wrong for a business to ban a lawmaker because of their support of other political issues, why would they think it would be right to ban Goldman because of his support for Israel?
This is America in the 21st century. Anyone who wants a cup of coffee should be served, regardless of their political stance on any issue. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s good business sense.
Businesses ought to be welcoming their customers, regardless of who they are or what they believe. They can use the money they earn to support any cause they choose.
But to outright reject someone based on their politics and refuse their money with such public disdain is only destructive, not constructive. It only foments more division, stokes more anger, and drives a wedge even deeper in the communities they seek to serve.
Simply put, we cannot let our politics boil over to the point where beliefs and prejudices get in the way of common sense and community building.