Just three days after a historic step forward by the black community with the Obama win, local drive-in burger restaurant Triple XXX Family Restaurant and city police are being accused of racism. This is certainly horrible press that could negate whatever positivity Indiana's first drive-in diner received after being featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007.

According to the Exponent: The incident took place early Sunday November 2 morning at the popular drunk eatery. Seven black patrons (including 3 Purdue students) were asked by a waitress to move from their seats to make room for other customers. One of the 7 got irritated because he didn't want to move and there were other open seats in the restaurant. Then, an employee told them they could leave if they don't like the policy.

Suddenly, physical violence broke out. An employee grabbed one of the students, a 5-month pregnant woman, and pushed her against a window which then cracked. Police then arrived and two of the students were handcuffed. Witnesses to the incident have filed complaints against the city police for what they perceived to be racist actions. The cops are said to be investigating the incident.

Another version floating around Facebook goes this way: The black group was told to wait outside when they arrived even though there were empty seats within. When they were let in, they were sat at the back of the restaurant. When asked to move as stated above, one of the guys grumbled to his peers and the manager overheard. The waitress then refused to serve them because the manager was upset with what he heard.

Then, a restaurant security guard grabbed the pregnant female and "pushed her into the window with such force that the window shattered." Two of the guys started defending her against the guard when 2 police officers arrived. They were handcuffed. Patrons who defended the blacks were kicked out of the restaurant. Police took no witness statements. According to one patron, however, one of the cops declared, "I can do what the f*** I want to do; I'm a cop you stupid mother****er!"

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There are discrepancies between the two stories that make both of them suspect of twisting the truth. For example, who really took hold of the pregnant woman? Was it an employee or a security guard? Did the window crack or shatter? Since when did Triple XXX have security guards? The place has always been a self-seating location, so wouldn't it be the group's fault if they were sat at the "back" of the restaurant? Both stories seem suspiciously victimizing of the black group; are we sure they acted as innocently as they sound in the articles? Most importantly, what were the specific circumstances upon which the group was asked to move from their seats?

This incident will no doubt be a big issue on campus for a while as it is a classic student hangout and alumni spot. It isn't the first time Triple XXX has been accused of being racist so we'll see how precedence will affect the fallout. And the local cops? They're not too popular with the student masses as it is. But sometimes, people are too quick to call out "RACIST!" for actions that could have been motivated by entirely different reasons. Unless more detailed information surfaces in the following days, it is difficult to form an opinion on the issue.

Either way, this situation just continues to add bad PR to the Purdue campus.