I am not sure that as a Black woman I want chicken to become a political statement, but I am MORE sure that your support (or not) of Chick-fil-a matters.

 

Anonymous congregation of Black “christians” showing solidarity to a company with “values”

Mike Huckabee, former Presidential candidate, suggested that August 1 be Chick-fil-a appreciation day.  His message was clear, Dan Cathy president of Chick-fil-a has a right to his opinion.

Newsflash: water is wet.

That right there is sarcasm.  Sarcasm is often used to bring attention to the absurd.  The idea that Dan Cathy can not have his own opinion is absurd.  No one in favor of a boycott of the business is saying that he does not have the right to his opinion.

The boycott is about understanding Newton’s first law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Dan Cathy can think that gay rights is not important, and that gay men and women are not entitled to the same rights and protections as every other citizen.

This is not about even IF his position is correct or not.

This is about those that disagree with that opinion being able to show and speak their disapproval with their wallets.

This is about MORE than Dan Cathy’ opinion though.  It is also about his corporation’s decision to back up Cathy’s opinion with financial donation to groups that actively oppose gay marriage.

 

From The Advocate Online

 NEAL BROVERMAN

NOVEMBER 01 2011

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy has said that his company doesn’t carry an “agenda against anyone,” but it’s hard to believe that after considering their “philanthropy.” Some of the groups the corporation has contributed to through WinShape, the side company created in 1984 for corporate giving, include organizations that not only actively work to end marriage equality, but also groups that attempt to “convert” gay people and one that’s considered a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Here are some of WinShape’s contributions, according to tax records from 2009:

– Marriage & Family Legacy Fund: $994,199
– Fellowship of Christian Athletes: $480,000
– National Christian Foundation: $240,000
– Focus on the Family: $12,500
– Eagle Forum: $5,000
– Exodus International: $1,000
– Family Research Council: $1,000

Yes, Chick-fil-a contributes to groups that cure the gay.

Those of us in the LGBQT community, and those who support the community have the right to express with their wallets their opinion that Dan Cathy and his company of traditional family values, biblical family values and inequality are not appreciated.

I have never, not once in my life set foot in a Chick-fil-a store, or tasted their food.

I have friends though who do.

I have a friend who is very liberal, even though he is also spiritual.  His vizion comes from having a gay uncle that he loved and loved him back.  He understands the struggle of the LGBQT community and he is quite supportive of our causes.

When informed of the political leanings of Chick-fil-a’s corporate leaders and anti gay agenda, he is opting to still buy milkshakes and other products from the store.

On a personal level I am highly disappointed with him, but at the end of the day I understand, as we all understand, (or should), that the choice is his.

I disagree with that choice, but I will defend his right to have it.

I also defend the right of the so called christians in that photo above to spend their money at the chain.

What I will not defend is the absence of critical thinking, and the lemming mentality of people who went to the store today, because their leaders told them to.

What I will not defend is a group of Black men and women, still fighting for our freedoms, denying any other group their attempts at obtaining civil rights and equality.

That photo up there offends me, not because it is a group of people buying some food they enjoy.

That photo up there offends me because that group right there should identify with the struggle for marriage equality the most, yet we have a Black man as President so its okay to say fuck you very much to the other groups that are oppressed.

The most powerful Black man on the planet has to deal with things like this:

We still don’t have our freedom papers when the sitting President of the United States of America has to battle to remain on the ballot for his re-election bid because of the color of his skin, yet we are fast and furious to tell another oppressed group that their struggle doesn’t matter.

 

We have the right to boycott – or buycott – any company we choose, but we have to understand that freedom is not free.

There is a price to be paid for the choices that we make, and we simply have to look beyond the pulpit and the agenda of the person in the pulpit if we intend to remain free.

But you go on ahead and eat that fried chicken sandwich…..the cotton fields will wait.  Maybe.