Chik-fil-No

A couple of weeks ago the President of Chik-fil-A gave an interview in which he expressed his belief that gay marriage is both illegal and immoral. Now, Chik-fil-A has always been a Christian company, to the point it is not open on Sundays, so this stance probably wasn't shocking to anyone who had been paying attention. However, this not-very-surprising political statement didn't stop people in all corners of the internet from calling for a boycott of the fast food chain. Since we don't have one around here to ignore, Boston May Tom Menino took the extra step of writing a letter which said the company is not welcome in the city limits and various Chicago officials have said the company will not be allowed to move into their city until they show proof that the company doesn't discriminate against anyone during their hiring practices. Now, I've made it clear that I fully support a person's right to get married to whomever they want, but that doesn't mean I will ignore any company that doesn't share this opinion. I'm able to compartmentalize the two issues as being complete unrelated to one another. (Seriously, I'm way more offended that they are teaching a generation of kids to be terrible spellers.) Even if we really don't need another fast food chain in this town, writing a letter telling Chik-fil-A they can't come send an equally bad message.

For some reason this particular election year it feels as though more people are taking it upon themselves to find out which companies give campaign contributions to which political party, which I do not get. First of all, it is hardly shocking to find that most company CEOs, whose salaries are usually 10 figures, are conservatives. After all, regulations are bad for business and they are that 1% we heard so much about this last year. But, secondly (and more importantly), who cares what the guy in charge thinks? Just because the guy at the top of the pyramid feels one way that doesn't mean every one in line behind him agrees with that stance. Think about it like this: how many of you have had a job where the boss's boss has shown up, told everyone how they think their jobs should be done and then when that person leaves everyone just kept doing things the way they have always been done because they know what is best, damn what that person said? I'm sure that is exactly the way Chik-fil-A works as well. For all we know 90% of the employees roll their eyes every time the President of the company comes in and give a speech about the moral values of this restaurant. The workers just want to get paid and go home, while hopefully doing as little work as possible in between. They are not invested in this company's mission statement and we shouldn't refuse new jobs in this state assuming Chik-fil-A makes them take some kind of blood oath of loyalty. It's just a job.

Honestly, I like Tom Menino and would vote for him if I could, but I live outside the city limits. (This is a common feeling, as Menino is very popular. You'll notice most of the people complaining about him don't actually live here.) But even with those feelings, I think he may have over-stepped his power a little on this one. I know that Massachusetts has legalized gay marriage, but that doesn't mean every single person in the state agrees with that stance. So to say that no one in the city of Boston would support this company if they were here is a bit of a reach. Since the chain isn't in these parts it is a pretty safe guess most people were unaware of the controversy before this and those even now that they are, most of them have too many other things to worry about in their day-to-day life. Seriously, if someone has 20 minutes for lunch and Chik-fil-A was the most convenient place near them they would probably go, regardless of political beliefs. Also, I hate to break it to the people doing all this research so going forward they will only buy products from companies who support all the same things they believe in, but you're never going to succeed. Seriously, the odds of you finding one person on this planet who believes every single thing the exact same way as you is about 1,000,000,000 to 1. And the odds that that person just so happens to also run a major corporation are even more astronomical. If you want to only own products made by people who share your belief system you had better get very good at making your own paper and growing your own food. (And be ready to get stares, because you are one typewriter away from having a manifesto.)

Still, I think the main reason this story irks me so much is that it makes Boston look like is it full of the same kind of my-way-or-else people Menino is trying to keep out. People around here like to think of themselves as more tolerant than people in other place and yet here is the Mayor demanding everyone be as open-minded as possible, which in and of itself is just as close-minded a way of thinking. After all, people have the right to be stupid and wrong. Not to mention, people who only want to hang out with other people who think all the same things are assholes. If a person can't be around someone who will challenge some of the things they think it means they are too weak in mind and spirit to stand up to a good debate. Personally, I'm not scared of a different opinion - hell, I think a heated verbal sparring is good for the mind every now and again. So, I say give the citizens of Boston the choice and we'll decide if Chik-fil-A sinks or swims. (Don't forget, this is New England - we're not very keen on change in these parts. If you don't believe me, try and find a Krispy Kreme.) They may not last too long if they open a franchise here but whatever happens should depend solely on the quality of their food and not what one person thinks  - and that goes in both directions.