When I was an undergraduate student at North Carolina A&T (AGGIE PRIDE!!), I ate at Chic-fil-a almost daily. They built a Chic-fil-A in our student center, along with a Blimpe. Since I ate there so much then, I do not really eat at Chic-fil-A much anymore. So I was not really eating there prior to the CEO making his statement. While I love their lemonade and waffle fries, I would probably opt to eat at other places. But that's just me. Anywho, it's a shame that this is the second post I have had to do about this whole issue of LGBTI rights. A part of me is hurt to have to repeat myself over again. I feel like this is going to be an issue people will be fighting for many years to come. This issues have been here for many years and will continue to be here for years to come. This has become the new civil rights movement. Obviously it is not to the degree of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s, but still an issue when defining human rights. We have yet to reach that in any capacity. First of all, people despise what they do not understand. Lets be honest: people just do not UNDERSTAND issues pertaining to sexual identity and preference. It's a little too "gray" and fluid for people to grasp. So, we marginalize instead of try to understand. We are too busy trying to marginalize one another for a piece of this mythical American pie that is full of racism, sexism, homophobia, and class ism. Yet we are diligently fighting for it because we think it will provide us with a sense of power and take us out of the margin. That's the real American way. We will step on our brothers and sisters just for some sense of power. We try to use the "master's" tools to marginalize one another. However, Audre Lorde said it perfectly when she stated, "For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change." Marinate on that for a little bit....
But, let me make a few observations about this whole situation situation and ask you a few questions to really think about the issue:
1. I'm mad that he even opened his mouth. We all knew how you felt dude! Your company is even closed on Sundays! And quite frankly, I do not CARE how you feel about gay rights. That does not affect the way people live their lives. You will still have employees, customers,and stock holders who are gay (whether openly or not). So, honestly, I do not care how you feel about gay rights. You serve CHICKEN. I mean really. There are plenty of other places people can go to for some chicken. Besides, while you may support this whole notion of "traditional" marriage, there are plenty of groups out there lobbying for LGBTI rights. So your stance does not stop the movement from happening. Or stop people from getting their fried chicken. You are just making a statement to put money in YOUR pockets. Get off of my TL and Newsfeed with your useless comments. If you are not creating policy or pouring money into legislation, I really do not care what your stance is. (Sidenote: I heard he does financially support lobbying groups that support "traditional marriages". He has a right to do that. However, he does not give enough to make it a big deal...)
2. What IS traditional marriage? Who decided what is considered "traditional" marriage? God? The Bible? Well, marriage in the Bible was dictated in a different manner. Let's take a look at Ruth. When she "laid at the feet" of Boaz.Take a moment to marinate on what "lay at Boaz's feet" means. Many folks in the Bible were "married" but was that a "traditional" marriage the way we think of it now? If our ancestors saw the way we do marriage now, they may not label it as "traditional". Just something to think about. All the sudden we want to "uphold the Bible"? Yeah. Okay. I need this guy to define what he means by "traditional marriage" because that can be real ambiguous and socially constructed, not based on the Bible. And if folks believed in this notion of "traditional marriage" there would be a heckofalot less foster children, Baby Mama/Daddy drama, and less folks having premarital sex. Unfortunately, that is not the case even in the world of "traditional marriages".
3. Yes, he has a right to say what he wanted to say. The First Amendment protects him. HOWEVER, while he has a right to say what he said, I will not CELEBRATE that he said it. I am not going to run to Chic-fil-A because he "upheld his First Amendment right". Newsflash: WE ALL have that right. HE DID NOTHING SPECIAL. Now people are going in droves to Chic-fil-a to support him doing something we all have a right to do. I just don't get it. To me, him utilizing his First Amendment right is not that deep. We all have that right. Besides, there are cases that even put limitations on the First Amendment....
4. I wonder what the reaction would be if he made some sort of racially or sexually offensive statement. What if he disagreed with African Americans receiving a formal education yet would still serve them chicken? Would we be going out in droves to support him then? After all, he would still be upholding his First Amendment right. Would we even be supporting his "right to speech" that if he made a racist or sexist comment? You do not have to answer that, just think about it. He made this comment about traditional marriages, but what would his next comment be? Could it be about you? Could it be a statement that made you uncomfortable? Folks are saying he has a right to say what he wants because it does not hit home for them. It does not affect you because it is not talking about you. It does not make you uncomfortable, so it's no big deal. But I am nervous that he will start speaking carelessly since he has so much support now. So be careful before you start celebrating something. After all, a lot of people hide behind the First Amendment to justify their negative comments about black people, women, or poor people. Yes, they have a right to say it. But like I said earlier, lets not celebrate it.
5. Ya'll fell for the ULTIMATE CONSPIRACY of Chic-fil-A. Oh yeah, big time. Let me start with some basic facts. Chic-fil-A is an openly Christian establishment, the CEO made a statement about supporting "traditional marriage" that has been repeated within the news for WEEKS, and all the sudden they have an "Appreciation Day" for customers? Am I correct on those facts? I just want to make sure. While I am not surprised at what he said, this is not an issue of moral superiority or a discussion of free speech. At first, that's what I thought. But after thinking about it, I realized it's all about CAPITALISM and MARKETING. Think about it.Why does he all the sudden feel the need to make a sociopolitical statement as a business owner? The first thing I thought was, "Where did this come from?" He knew exactly what to say to get media attention. LGBTI rights is a MAJOR issue right now. He said what he needed to get media attention AND PROMOTE his business. Point blank: he is trying to market his BUSINESS. He did not need the cows on the build boards to market his business. We have been doing his marketing for him. He could probably fire his whole marketing department because we have diligently been working for him to promote his business, whether positive or negative. With that in mind, I would theorize that it has nothing to do with him "upholding Biblical values" or "his right to free speech". It has to do with the brotha trying to put a little money in his pocket. So before we start supporting his "right to say what he wants to say", let us not celebrate it too much. He knows exactly what he was doing. And you guys fell for it. I am sure more people will be going to Chic-fil-A, either to protest or support, putting money in his pockets.
Nonetheless, the conversation still continues. However, I urge you my brothers and sisters not to give into all the hype without really THINKING about what is really happening. This is not necessarily a conversation about whether you support gay rights or not. In fact, this is more of question about humanity and how we value (or devalue) human rights. It is a question of whether you will allow rhetoric to dictate your opinions or whether you will step out of the box and think about what is presented to you. Do not accept something simply because it appears to look "right". Take a deeper look into something so that you do not become a hopeless victim in conspiracies such as this. My professors always urge us as students to look at things beyond the surface. So I am urging you to do the same. Be smart people. Do not always give in to the hype.
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