Jim Boggess wanted to honor his heritage and share it with his local community. As the owner of a deli in Flemington, he believed he had discovered the perfect way to bring his vision to life. Those walking by the deli on Main Street were welcomed by a handwritten sign that proclaimed, “CELEBRATE YOUR WHITE HERITAGE IN MARCH, WHITE HISTORY MONTH.”
This sign did not have the impact Boggess had anticipated. One of his customers, Bhakti Curtis, expressed strong discontent regarding it. Curtis, who is of mixed-race heritage, was particularly upset when he saw the sign. He went to the Flemington Police Department to lodge a complaint, claiming that the sign was “mocking Black History Month” and pointed out that the “T” in “WHITE” was crossed out in a manner reminiscent of KKK symbolism.