One night, writer Victor Fiorillo stopped by the Old Philadelphia Bar hoping for a beer and some company. Before entering, a sign on the window caught his attention: \u201cIf you\u2019re not proud to be an American, do not bother to come in.\u201d Curious, Fiorillo went inside anyway. Soon after, a man heading toward the jukebox announced loudly that he was a former firefighter and a Mexican\u2014before laughing and saying the last part was a joke.<\/p>\n
He then played Lee Greenwood\u2019s 1984 hit, \u201cGod Bless the USA.\u201d As the chorus filled the bar, nearly everyone joined in singing. The bar has long been a neighborhood staple, known for cheap drinks, classic d\u00e9cor, and a proudly old-school atmosphere. Management says the sign is simply meant to set expectations: patrons should be prepared for overt patriotism.<\/p>\n
The bar also brands itself as \u201chipster-free,\u201d catering to longtime locals rather than newcomers. When a photo of the sign surfaced in a local Facebook group, backlash followed. Some residents felt the message was exclusionary or unwelcoming, particularly toward minorities.<\/p>\n
One woman said she would avoid the bar because her boyfriend is Indian and bearded, saying the sign made her uneasy. Staff members, however, defended the message, insisting it was being misunderstood. \u201cIf you\u2019re in this country, you should be proud to be an American,\u201d one bartender said. The sign continues to spark debate. What do you think?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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