Chick-Fil-A @ MIA isn’t DOA
Bottom Line: This story stirred up a lot of conversation yesterday and I’ve received well over a hundred notes on it since discussing and posting about it yesterday. If you missed it, Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora had this to say via Twitter: While I fully support minority business owners there are plenty of other chain restaurants they can choose to open that don’t have a documented history of supporting anti-LGBT groups and causes. We deserve better in MIA. I have placed on the @MiamiBeachNewsCommission agenda
And just like that a Miami Beach Commissioner began his crusade, oh wait, his mission, oh shoot. His non-denominational effort to ban Chick-Fil-A from Miami International Airport. Now truth be told a Miami Beach Commissioner doesn’t hold any influence over what happens at the airport but whatever. He can attempt to get 5 minutes of fame with those who believe that banning Christian based-businesses is cool. That’s why whatever he and Miami Beach chooses to do won’t mean Chick-Fil-A won’t come to MIA. But it’s time to address a few issues that I never see addressed in the news media. And since I’ve invited Michael on and haven’t received a response and have tweeted to him and haven’t received a response. It’s time to address the questions and points anyway. Here’s my response and question I Tweeted him:
Side-stepping the fact that you're either misguided about or are suggesting Christian charities aren't acceptable, have you vetted all companies atiflymia accordingly? I'd be curious to see your findings.
First, to be clear, Chick-Fil-A is Operator controlled. Meaning every location has an Operator (this is their term instead of franchise). Second, there is no documentation of Chick-Fil-A ever discriminating against anyone at any location – let alone based on one’s sexuality. Third, the charities that apparently aren’t acceptable in our society are the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. For all of the slandering of Chick-Fil-A that’s happened over the years – that's what we’re talking about here. But here’s the final and most important point. Is the problem really with Chick-Fil-A or is it Christianity? Is it OK to slander a company and attempt to harm them because they support the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes?
And to my question that’s gone unanswered from Michael Gongora. What’s the status of the current operators at MIA? Where’s his research demonstrating he’s equitably done his due diligence and isn’t being specifically prejudicial against Chick-Fil-A? Additionally, do you really want to live in a world where every company is viewed through this prism? And finally, as a supporter of the Salvation Army and consumer of Chick-Fil-A products over the years here’s a reminder of what a bigot is.
big·ot
/ˈbiɡət/
noun
- a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions.