AP Photo/The Huntsville Times, Robin Conn
Yes, that's Antoine Dodson, in front of Chick-fil-A, on "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," wearing a t-shirt with Antoine Dodson's name on it. I'll explain this below.
I was in Philadelphia last weekend when, at the behest of an elderly family member in from out of town, I was dispatched to 9th and Passyunk for an authentic Philly cheesesteak. Since she preferred cheesesteaks with the meat sliced in long strips as opposed to those which have it all chopped up, she asked me to go to Geno's Steaks rather than Pat's King of Steaks right across the intersection. I sighed deeply, and not because I thought Pat's sandwiches were better and she was making a mistake.
My issue, which she didn't know about, was with the fact that since 2006, Geno's had been displaying prominent signs outside its ordering window directed at the South Philadelphia neighborhood's Mexican immigrants, signs which read:
"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING Please 'SPEAK ENGLISH." (At least the word "please" is in there, right?)
I was living there when this controversy broke out, and I proceeded to consciously avoided Geno's. I hadn't thought to steer clear of it beforehand, even though I don't eat red meat or poultry. Now I did, because I didn't support (or being seen supporting) a business that was openly singling out a segment of its customers for ridicule. That feeling is one I recalled this week as I saw conservatives "come to the defense" of Chick-fil-A.
This all started, of course, because the fast-food chain's CEO, Dan Cathy, said this about those advocating for marriage equality:
"I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,'" Cathy said. "I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."
Cathy and Chick-fil-A aren't shy about siding with anti-LGBT causes, both with rhetoric and money -- all under the auspices of being a Christian business. The company's official credo displayed behind its counters reads,"To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." That's why Cathy stood behind his remarks, despite the vitriol he elicited from folks like Boston mayor Tom Merino and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, who both sought to block the construction of new Chick-fil-A restaurants in their municipalities.
That was a ridiculous reaction by those two, which Mother Jones' Adam Serwer and Kevin Drum both called out. But the matchhead had already been struck, and thus rushed forward the flames of conservative overreaction. Fox News personality and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee felt it the right time to tell people to engorge themselves with Chick-fil-A's fried delicacies.
And that they did, on Wednesday:
Chick-fil-A appears to have set a company record in sales on Wednesday, a day on which Americans were encouraged to show their support for the fast-food restaurant whose leadership has drawn both criticism and praise in recent weeks for its opposition to same-sex marriage...
"We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country," said Steve Robinson, executive vice president of marketing, in the statement. "While we don't release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day."
Even the openly gay Antoine Dodson of "hide ya kids, hide ya wife" Internet-viral video fame showed up to have lunch at a Chick-fil-A in Alabama, saying, "That's what freedom is. We don't all have to believe in the same things." (He'd also posted a video supporting the business last week.) Dodson is correct, if a bit naive, in saying that. I say naive because it was clear that the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was designed as a political statement. When Republicans like Huckabee, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (see below) use Chick-fil-A bags as signifiers, it means something entirely different.
Granted, they never said explicitly, "We're eating Dan Cathy's fried chicken because we agree with his conviction that gay marriage might very well damn us all," and that might be because the country's opinion on the issue is turning decidedly towards acceptance of marriage equality. The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart cited a Pew poll just this week that gave further indication of that.
Republicans don't have to say exactly what Dan Cathy said in order to endorse his views. Encouraging an "appreciation" day sparked by those views is all that was necessary. They've now been successful in taking comments which some folks may have been willing to forgive, ignore -- or in Dodson's case, accept in the name of freedom of speech -- and branding the business with the Republican seal of approval. That alone will turn off some folks, but worse for the business is the fact that they're now the anti-gay place.
They might welcome that. Judging by Cathy's comments and the manufactured controversy that followed, they probably do welcome it. And yes, they had an awesome day of sales. But as more and more Americans embrace marriage equality, this will be a detriment to Chick-fil-A. Playing the long game hasn't been the strong suit of Republicans when it comes to cultural issues, and this is no different.
Oh, by the way: the signs at the Geno's windows were still up when I got there last weekend, along with another which read, "Dial 1 for English, Dial 2 for Deportation." And for what it's worth, the line at Pat's was a hell of a lot longer than the one at Geno's.
View Congresswoman Bachmann's message of support below.
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All those pictures of those lines at CFA only tell one side of the story. It's impossible to photograph the millions of people who stayed away from CFA - because we weren't there. What does tell the story is how CFA's quality perception ratings have plummeted in the days since the CEO's anti-equality statements. Independent marketing data doesn't lie. CFA's growth and profits will be diminished in the future because bigotry is bad for business.
If only mayors Menino and Emmanuel had rephrased their opposition to say that they opposed the corporation in their municipalities; because it was using revenue generated from the sales of their product to fund discriminatory practices against one segment of their constituency. Wal-Marts are blocked from being built for different reasons, but they are blocked nonetheless.
If Chick-Fil-A were a person I'd support their right to free speech; like their CEO Dan Cathy has. However I am not a believer of corporate personhood and I do not believe that corporations have a right to free speech or privacy. What supporters of Chick-Fil-A in this regard like Mr. Dodson are saying is--the corporation is a person and that is wrong. The fight against corporate personhood is an ongoing battle ever since the US Supreme Court ruled in Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad.
For me it comes down to this: Chick-Fil-A like all other corporations unfortunately enjoy a right to free speech. This right has allowed corporations to do anything from fund SuperPacs, lobbying, candidate donations and fund anti-climate change organizations. So it would be hard to make the case that they should be blocked in a certain municipality due to their "speech." That is unless discriminatory speech is seen differently in the eyes of the law. As a hypothetical, suppose they were funding the a neo-nazi organization would that be considered free speech and protected under Santa Clara v. Southern Pacific Railroad or not?
Love always wins. The CFA consumer perception rating has plummeted as a result of this episode.
Honestly I had never heard of this chain until the controversy happened. Though I agree with the article, I think it is important to point out that it was IMO wrong of politicians on the other side to say that they would not allow Chick-fil-a in their cities/districts. For the simple reason that I would not want some right wing nut making thoughs decisions for me. Regardless, I'm all for the boycott. Lastly I think the many of us who would never eat there, make sure it is not just what Cathy says about homosexuality, but that his company is funding anti gay pro-hate groups. I say this for the outlets for Chick-fil-a are interdependently owned so we can not assume that all owners of the outlets agrees with Cathy's extreme views, but the money is still going to those anti-gay groups.
Gluttons double fisting fried food should not be throwing stones. But at this point can we expect anything else from the least informed, delusional, hypocritical, self righteous "religious" judgmental people?
I wonder will they still be protesting Obamacare when their unhealthy eating habits catch up with them? I bet the outrage will turn to joy that the preexisting condition of self induced lardassness is covered thanks to President Obama!
I think you hit the nail on the head as to what ignited this entire ordeal -- when the mayors said they would block CFA in their communities. The crux of this situation is this -- can government tell companies what acceptable values are? By these government entities rejecting the values of CFA, this offended those with values like CFA, who then rose up to support those values by supporting the company.
It's important to note that in America, government does not have the ability to tell a company what values are acceptable. It would be dangerous if government had this power -- shown by the mayors in this story.
The point is not where Mr. Cathy spends his money, but whether the government can tell him whether it is acceptable.
As Americans, we must support the ability of private companies to hold their own values. If government dictates the values of companies, then we have lost our freedom.
Mr. Cathy’s values stem from his deeply held religious beliefs. He has every right to hold those values. Other companies have values that are the opposite of Mr. Cathy’s. Those companies have every right to hold those values. If the government were to hold the authority to determine acceptable values in private companies, there would be many unhappy people. What if the government chooses to value something you do not? Would there be a choice as to what private companies do with their personal money?
We need to come together as Americans now. It is not the government’s place to dictate what are acceptable values to private companies.
The focus on Mr. Cathy’s religious beliefs has really sidetracked the discussion on the importance of the freedoms of private companies.
I had a conversation with someone who said the same thing. It wasn't until those two politicians said that they wouldn't allow the franchise into their cities that he decided to drive over an hour to the nearest Chik-fil-a. He wouldn't have done it otherwise.
While I do not agree with Chik-fil-a's stance, I agree that they have the right to take it. In this case, the ones who should "dictate" (for lack of a better word) is the consumer. Let the public decide with their dollars because money speaks louder than anything.
Let's do our side of the argument a huge favor, Michael, and not show our opposition to Dan Cathy's contemptible statements about gays and lesbians by saying contemptible things about people who are overweight.
I don't expect my elected officials to tell private companies what stands to take. I DO expect my elected officials not to provide city supports for efforts to undermine my human rights, even if those anti-rights activists are also selling fried chicken. And that includes rejecting companies that refuse to meet human rights standards.
A correction to this piece is needed (an all too common mistake): Dan Cathy is President, COO of Chick-fil-A and son of Chairman, CEO - S.Truett Cathy.
This is not about First Amendment Rights, as those on the right would have you believe. It is about discrimination and not just against LGBTs. Imagine working at the same place for ten years and then being fired for being a mom.
<http://www.glaad.org/files/101150536-Lawsuit_1.pdf>