Mela Restaurant and Lounge, positioned simply exterior of Atlanta, has been accused of utilizing an outrageously offensive flyer to advertise an occasion celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Not solely is King featured within the picture, however civil rights icon Rosa Parks makes an look as nicely…and it’s sexually suggestive.
Arthur Watkins Jr., an Atlanta entrepreneur, posted the disturbing flyer on X. In it, King and Parks are wearing scantily clad outfits whereas engaged in a intercourse act.
“I’ve simply despatched an pressing electronic mail to Bernice King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., relating to a derogatory misuse of Dr. King’s picture at Mela Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta,” Watkins wrote.
He additionally said that as a litigant with the American Freedmen Authorized Fund and Freedmen Nation, it was obligatory to tell Bernice for the reason that flyer undermines the legacy of Dr. King. “Using his likeness on this context is deeply disrespectful and warrants consideration,” Watkins defined.
Watkins added that the flyer he posted on the social media website serves as proof of Mela’s disrespect earlier than asserting that “Dr. King’s legacy is one among dignity, justice and equality” that have to be protected.
Nonetheless, in a assertion on Instagram, the meals institution denied they made or circulated it in any method.
“The homeowners of Mela ATL haven’t any connections or help of the MLK social gathering on Saturday January 18th,” they wrote. “We don’t tolerate or help the concept of the flyer idea. Please cease tagging or involving us with the idea…We don’t tolerate the disrespect that was posted on the flyer. We do apologize for the flyer going round with us unaware.”
This isn’t the primary time a model or institution has been accused of utilizing Martin Luther King Jr.’s picture to promote a celebration throughout the vacation weekend, however it’s actually one of the crucial disturbing.