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I have heard a lot about the Chick-fil-a goings on about supporting anti-gay agendas (it's like the so-called "gay agenda," only opposing), and I have heard a lot about boycotting Chick-fil-a. I have also heard and read a lot of gripe from the pro-Chick-fil-a crowd about the boycott. Complaints have filled up Facebook, declaring that those who are boycotting are being silly; that in fact, the boycott-ers are the truly intolerant one because they can't accept someone having different beliefs than themselves. These public declarations denounce the boycott, calling it pointless.
To be frank, I think we need to have a talk about the purpose of a boycott. The basic definition (there is one more complicated that involves coercion and intimidation) of a boycott is to abstain from buying or using. I would personally add (though my name be not Webster) that for product abstinence to be cataloged under "Boycott" that a political or personal or moral statement is being made. In applying this to the Chick-fil-a debacle, one might ask why people would boycott an organization simply for the owner having a difference of opinion. It's true, that would be quite silly. However, the boycott is not opposing Chick-fil-a's president Dan Cathy. The boycott is opposing anti-gay groups. Think about it for a minute. Chick-fil-a makes multi-million dollar donations to anti-gay groups. How does Chick-fil-a get the money for such donations? Through patrons' money used to buy their product. I personally find it merely responsible to know just who/ what your are supporting with your money (both directly and indirectly).
Pretend for a moment that rather than donating millions of dollars to anti-gay groups that Chick-fil-a was donating that money to groups that supported or even funded abortion clinics. How fast do you think all the boycott nay-sayers would become complete anti-Chick-fil-a activists? My guess is pretty quick, and understandably because abortion is something they neither support nor want to fund in any manner. Well, lots of people don't want to fund anti-gay groups. It's that simple.My point is this: whether pro- or anti- a particular boycott, there is no reason to bad mouth the people participating in the boycott. Cut that garbage out. Support your cause and let others support theirs. Have you ever boycott something?
4 comments:
Well here are my feelings on the subject. Although I am sure you have seen my rants on FB;)
I think the intolerance and boycotting is stupid on both sides.
here is an article that talks a bit about it.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/story/2012-07-27/gay-marriage-corporations/56544826/1
for me there are a few reasons why the "boycott" is annoying.
#1- The owner of Chick-fil-a has always been a conservative bible following baptist. It isn't a surprise that he supports traditional views of family.
Why all of a sudden are people surprised that he feels this way?
#2- The reason why people are so upset was because they donated some food to a group that is pro-traditional marriage.
This doesn't make sense to be mad at them because of course they are going to support others who feel the same way they do.
#3- they have never ever said that they didn't want gay people eating their chicken or working for them. So they are "discriminating" they are merely supporting what they believe to be the truth.
SO basically they did exactly what JCPenny did when they hired Ellen as their spokeswoman and then put out ads featuring gay couples for fathers day and mothers day. The also donate money to keep anti gay marriage laws from passing.
IMHO these two sides are the same thing. I don't believe people should boycott JCPenny just because they support gay marriage and I don't believe that Chick-fil-a should be boycotted because they don't.
I mean isn't it a waste of time and energy to go around trying to find out people who don't think the same way you do and hate them and boycott them?
Wouldn't it make much more sense to just eat and shop where you like and make an extra effort to support companies and organizations who do good things for people and that are in line with your values?
It's true people have a right to boycott, but people also have a right to support and stand up for what they believe to be true. So going around calling people bigots and hating them really isn't helping or making a difference.
If your aim is to have the world be accepting of you then it should start with you accepting other also.
-"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me"
I don't buy Heinz products because they give money to abortion right groups. Good points Blythe. My only problem with boycotts is that they can try and intimidate people who have no problem with the company.That behavior crosses the line for me. State and support your cause but don't try and bully others.
I completely agree that that intimidation should be left out of it 100%. As far as hating and calling people bigots, I think name calling is inappropriate and unproductive. Marcene, you are absolutely right; It is bullying, and that is not okay from either side.
Yes I agree! Bullying from either side is wrong. If you are ever going to educate and hopefully change people's minds on a subject it won't be done through bullying. It has to be done with understanding and love;)
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