Jason Bursey, the owner of Parallel Wine & Whiskey Bar in the Broadlands, took to Facebook this afternoon in a live video to discuss the social media firestorm that has surrounded him and his business over the last 24 hours. The storm started with a social media post that accused Bursey of racism for a t-shirt with the slogan “Drunk Wives Matter,” a take-off on the “Black Lives Matter” movement that started in 2013. (See the full story here.)
In his Facebook Live, Bursey addresses the t-shirt controversy and denies any racist or ill intent, but he does not really discuss other social media posts he has allegedly made on his personal Facebook page that have angered many. Screenshots of these comments are circulating widely. (The Burn has seen these images, but cannot independently verify them and thus, we are not sharing them.) But Monday morning, we did ask Bursey about comments and opinions he shares via his personal page.
“My personal page is my personal page and I get into it all day long on Facebook — all day long — over a lot of different issues. Some conservative, some not so much. I think for myself,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s hard. Yes, I’m a business owner, but I’m also an individual. I have my own personal ideas on things. That’s why I have my Parallel page and my personal page, I don’t push my political views into my restaurant.”
Here is a link to Bursey’s Facebook Live.
I posted this on the previous article, and here too. Dude, it’s not about the shirt anymore.
Really surprising all this has gone down and a shame as we’ve enjoyed plenty of time at Parallel.
Unfortunate that Bursey can’t see the opportunity for personal and community growth right in front of him.
It’s not about the shirt anymore but now about what are his core beliefs. By lashing back he is signaling that he truly is the person that his personal Facebook account shows him to be.
Bursey is now at a cross-roads: double down and start holding MAGA and Open Carry rallies or admit that he has some learning to do a hold a community summit on race and host the uncomfortable conversations.
At a time when he’s expanding to the other side, you’d think he’s be a better businessman.
In reference to the protesters, you posted a reply to someone that said “they should take both knees…and hands behind the head.” Are you that soulless? This is about much than a shirt. Don’t whine about the backlash. You earned it. SMH.
There is no way to post a screenshot on ‘the burn’ unfortunately.
A little advice: hire a publicist. You just don’t get it at all.
You’re digging a bigger deeper hole every time you open your mouth.
The pompous arrogance with the statement “I’m sorry if you were offend” itself says more about your complete disconnection to the issue and is more damaging than the darn shirt.
Also, your past SM “liking” and the comment “Preach” to someone criticizing BLM says more about your truthful opinion about the issue as well. You never denied or apologized about that one.
Oh good lord. I’m queer as a three dollar bill and as liberal as they come but this is completely absurd. My partner and I have been eating at Parallel for years and were delighted to be back on Sunday for brunch, and we will keep coming back. Black Lives Matter. But knowing who your real enemies are also matters.
“I have my own personal ideas on things.”
Like black people are looters and should “kneel with both knees behind their heads” and that women shouldn’t be believed in instances of sexual assault.
That’s not a personal idea, you’re just an asshole, Jason. Fuck you.
Get over it people
You all think your perfect
You think that if someone doesn’t tow your exact company line, they are bad
If you don’t like what he says/posts etc, don’t support his business but let others decide for themselves, stop trying to be the thought police
He is not digging a freaking hole, you are trying to dig one and push him into the hole that you dug
What the F is wrong with you people?
I don’t live near this place but I will go for two reasons 1. to support a guy I don’t know for getting a bunch of crap he doesn’t deserve by people who are hypocrites by saying they are perfect but those not like them should be cancelled out and 2. if I see any of you, I will call you out on the spot
Good for you Jason. People don’t understand the separation between the business and the person. Look at Chik Fil A. Nobody speaks up when the restaurants open on Sunday to feed first responders after the Pulse club shooting, but go insane when the founder makes personal comments against gay people.
People must also hate comedians. It’s too easy to take yourself too seriously. Getting up in arms over an attempt at a funny joke/riff on public events is crazy. People also lose sight over how a joke can deescalate a situation.
Also good for Jason for not bending to the whims of the cancel/outrage culture. People want every business to capitulate, but they don’t realize they are being pandered to because that’s what their PR teams are saying will keep selling the most products. Keep the shirt up. Let people vote with their dollars.
I go to a restaurant to support good food, good drink and good service. Whatever the owner’s point of view on anything isn’t anyone concern. All these C-Ashburn people has too much money and time on them to attack an industry that’s hurting from the pandemic. We need to support Americans. The real enemy is out there so Everytime you buy any goods, make sure is said Made In America to support YOUR own.
Love their wings. I don’t think he is racist. He is a bit out of touch for not realizing #cancelculture is a big thing right now. How do you not see this coming? Anyway, there will be a backlash to the cancel movement after we get tired of it.
Jason is a great, great man.
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