So in the
last couple of weeks since the brouhaha at Chick-fil-A has blown up I have un-friended
several people on FaceBook. On the list
are family members and people who I once considered to be friends. My actions are based on the fact that I
disagree with these folks. They are
entitled to have their opinions and I respect that fact. What I don’t accept, and what I won’t tolerate
is public disrespect of me.
Additionally,
I don’t buy into the notion that this is a first amendment argument. This is an argument about a corporation and
its financial support of organizations that harm people. I don’t buy the argument that the “buycott”
generated by some on the right was done to protect first amendment rights and
family values. The last time I looked gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks were all members of someone’s family. So I’m left wondering, what are family
values? What does that mean?
Interestingly,
I’ve noticed that many of Chick-fil-A supporters have referred to boycotters as
fascists. The logic here escapes
me. By its definition fascism is
conservative. Fascism is xenophobic,
nationalistic, authoritarian, autocratic and rigid. Inclusive, enlightened liberalism is none of
those things. Liberalism endeavors to
make a place the table for anyone so long as they don’t hurt others. Whether that hurt is by word, action or deed.
I recognize that a boycott by its nature is
designed to inflict some degree of pain.
Typically the pain is economic. The
boycott of South Africa in the 1980s is an excellent example of economic
activism. Those of us on the left who
are offended by Chick-fil-A actions are simply trying to affect change through
that sort of nonviolent action. So, to
my friends who aren’t anymore, think about that. Your public professions like that of
Chick-fil-A ‘s president hurt those around you.
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