Reo Varnado, uncle of the Grammy Award winning rapper Snoop Dogg provides his community in Portland Oregon more than just mouth watering bbq and side dishes. On August 7th, 2010 he also provides the community with love, friendship, live entertainment and a free chili cookout.
I write newsletter for Reo that he posts in his restaurant and I asked him, "Why do show love to a community that doesn't want him there?"
Reo replied, "I am a man of God and Jesus is in everything i do, my food and my music."
We need more people in america like Reo Varnado. Lately Mr. Varnado has been the victim of a nasty and racist smear campaign regarding his smoker which is located right outside of his restaurant.
Residents in the community have gone to the Oregonian Newspaper and said that the smoke is setting off fire alarms over a block away and making them sick. Some claims about it being somewhat bothersome is understandable but it is becoming ridiculous the way he is being treated.
I did some investigating of my own and discovered that there is a Hawaiian restaurant in the same business plaza which puts out more smoke than Reo does but people in the community don't bother them.
The community in John's Landing which is where Reo's Ribs is located has made it clear that they don't want him there, even some of the business owners, especially the manager from Quiznos.
What are we to think of a man who has not committed a crime and wants to get along with everyone in his community?
The crime is that with everything he does to bridge the gap in John's Landing, it does him no good. Reo fixed the smoker and residents stil complain about him and say they that he should go back to TV highway. He's even had to deal with the "Go back to Africa comments."
This type of treatment is unfair and unwarrented.
Reo has even had death threats because of his smoker. The N word has been used against him. People have called him a racist.
I recently viewed a google post that said "Obama black dude plays race card."
It can be seen if you google (Reo Varnado)
You will see President Obama on a tricycle with a marijuana cap on. (RIDICULOUS)
This makes me sad to no end because i know Reo just wants to run his business without all of this drama regarding the smoker.
what makes him so special that you should run this piece on CNN:
(EVEN IN THE FACE OF RACISM AND DESCRIMINATION, REO VARNADO HAS REMAINDED POSITIVE AND SPIRITUAL AND HAS SHOWN US THAT LOVE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN HATRED.)
This what brings a community together and makes the world a better place.
We need more people ilike Reo Varnado in our neigbhorhoods, men and women who are making a better america with their hearts instead of their hatred.
Attached are some photos of Reo, children in the community and having fun and spreading the message of love in the midst of controversy over his smoker.