Tuscaloosa family calls out business owner for calling them racial slur after birthday celebration at business

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Barbecue and the n-word; That’s how one Tuscaloosa family says they will remember a birthday celebration at Nick’s in the Sticks.

The family says they were visiting the restaurant for the first time during a birthday celebration. A viral video of the incident shows an altercation between the owner and a friend of the family named Hunter. In the video, you hear Hunter confronting the owner.

“When I walked out he jumped all over me and said, so you condone sitting at the table with the n******,” said Hunter.

The viral video of the Friday incident is making its round on social media. It prompted an apology from the business owner that seemingly is falling on deaf ears.

Thursday, WBRC traveled to the restaurant to speak with protesters across the street from the business. They could be seen with signs with messages like ‘no justice, no peace’ or ‘end systemic racism.’ Drivers riding by would honk their horns as a sign of solidarity with the groups cause.

Jaivonta Spates, one of the people who were called the slur, says he and his family came to the restaurant to celebrate a birthday and the incident happened as they were getting ready to leave.

“You’re working in a public place. There should be no, even if you feel that way, you should keep it to yourself,” said Spates.

Thursday, the owner was unavailable to meet with WBRC. An employee of the business said the business owner would be willing to share his side of things before business hours. Wednesday, he issued an apology to the group through local news outlets. Initially the owner denied using the slur when he was first confronted, as seen in the video. Spates said he questions the sincerity of the apology, because the owner still has not come over across the street to where the protesters are positioned to speak with the group.

“The apology is fine but there also has to be accountability and atonement,” said Tuscaloosa NAACP president Lisa Young. “We want to use this as an opportunity to sit down and have some serious discussions, not just about the use of the word in that establishment but also the systemic issue of racism that people encounter all across Tuscaloosa.”

Young believes the apology needs to followed up with action. In a release, the NAACP says they want to see the following actions:

1. Comprehensive Diversity and Sensitivity Training: We strongly recommend that Mr. Moltz, his staff, and management undergo comprehensive diversity and sensitivity training to better understand the impact of their words and actions on marginalized communities.

2. Community Engagement: We encourage Nick’s in the Sticks to engage in meaningful dialogue with the African American community and other marginalized groups in Tuscaloosa to foster understanding and healing.

3. Ongoing Commitment to Anti-Racism: We ask that Nick’s in the Sticks commit to ongoing efforts to combat racism within their establishment, including clear policies and practices that support inclusivity and respect for all patrons.

Spates agrees there needs to be action and also told WBRC he wants to see new ownership take over the establishment.

“I can’t figure out if an apology is sincere or not but we have been here. The fact that we’ve been here since Saturday or since Monday and we’re across the street and you see us out here and you don’t come over. It’s just kind of hard for me to believe that it’s sincere,” said Spates.

The group says they are hoping to hear from the county commission on the issue. A few city leaders say they do not condone the incident and point out the city is the one who issues the license to the business although it is not within city limits.

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