© AP
Having the city's logo on them, the stickers read: "exclusively for white people," and were put on at least six businesses.
The racist remarks were discovered by passersby, employees and business owners.
Brianna Smith was walking by a store this week when she spotted one.
"This just goes to show racism is very much alive TODAY," she wrote on her Facebook page. "And by this being sponsored by the city of Austin absolutely DISGUST me."
Having the city's logo on them, the stickers read: "exclusively for white people," and were put on at least six businesses.
"My reaction was basically shock and confusion. I was a little hurt," Jensen said.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler issued a statement, condemning this racist act and denying the city's sponsorship or giving anyone the authority to use its logo.
"This is an appalling and offensive display of ignorance in the city," the statement read.
The statement also acknowledged that the businesses that were defaced with the stickers "neither made, nor knowingly displayed them."
State lawmakers took to Facebook to expressed displeasure with the event.
"Some jokes are not funny," State Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) wrote. "If this is a joke at all, it is tasteless. ... I will be damned if this will occur in my House District ... in this historical black community or any community."
Many people believe an outsider is behind these racist stickers.
"Doesn't seem like in a Texan's nature to want to hurt our small businesses on the east side," Windmill Bicycles shop owner said.
Austin has seen some demographic transformations within the past 15 years. According to Census Bureau data, the African-American population in East Austin has drastically decreased from 1990 to 2000, from 80% to less than 20% in some areas.
Austin Police are currently investigating. Those caught posting the stickers will face graffiti charges, according to police.
"This is an appalling and offensive display of ignorance in the city", says the Mayor of Austin, Steve Adler.
Ignorance? Hardly.
It is pure, unadulterated RACISM, and of the vilest variety.
Yet Mayor Adler apparently refused to call it what it patently is, and instead substituted the utterly lame and frankly idiotic word, "ignorance". What the hell is 'ignorant' about a openly racist, hurtful statement?
Looks like Mr Adler doesn't want to offend the racist voters of his constituency, so he sugar-coated his inadequate condemnation.
Be a mensch, Mayor Adler, and stand up against racism, PLEASE! Ignorance is forgivable, but racism is NOT!
Call it what it is. Please.
(Well, at least he also said it was "appalling" and "offensive", so he gets a couple of brownie points for those.)
But also check out what was said by a local Austin businessman:
"Doesn't seem like in a Texan's nature to want to hurt our small businesses on the east side," Windmill Bicycles shop owner said.
Yes, yes, it is ALL about NOT hurting 'business' on the east side, isn't it? Nothing about the black people's feelings, or the civil rights of the black community to be free from open racism that violates various statutes, Federal and (hopefully) State, especially against discrimination in food, lodging or accommodations, eh? What if it actually BENEFITTED the business? Would it then be right and proper, no problem at all? Are segregated lunch counters next, if they increase profits?
These folks are all saying things that hide thinly veiled acceptance of racism for personal benefit.
I would say, "Only in Texas", but I believe this spectre haunts more than just the Lone Star state in America today.
An "Anti-Racism Manifesto" needs to be promulgated and distributed widely, one that accurately and honestly starts with, "A spectre is haunting America --the spectre of RACISM!"
Open racism has returned to the South, has it? Never left, did it? Just went into hiding for a while. But like so many American spectres and ghosts, it can now openly and widely say with apparent impunity,
"I'm b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-k!"