By Arya Hanumara
President/Social Effects Head/Co-Editor In Chief
THE TRUTH BEHIND AMERICA’S BELOVED FAST FOOD CORPORATION, CHICK-FIL-A.
There is nothing Americans love more than fast food. Fast food chain restaurants have bloomed, infiltrating almost every block, whether it be in a small town or a bustling city. No fast food corporation has achieved success as quickly as Chick-fil-a. The convenience and guilt-ridden taste of the infamous fried chicken burger or classic vanilla milkshake has allowed it to become a staple in American diets. Teenagers grow up brushing away the health risks of the greasy, fat-filled burger, utilizing it as a way to band together with their friends and allowing it to become a key feature in their childhood. S. Truett Cathy, the founder of the company, has masked the horrendous nature of the chain’s relationship with dangerous endeavors, backing them up with the founding family’s Christian beliefs and morals. The notorious truth behind that burger, milkshake, or pack of fries is the company’s newly discovered entanglement in a web of white supremacy, sexism, and anti-LGBTQ+ efforts.
Chick-fil-A has made a series of disturbing donations, one of the most alarming being to the Family Research Council. The Council was created by the Southern Poverty Law Center, an extremist organization consisting of the Ku Klux Klan and several Neo-Nazi groups. Not only is Chick-fil-A supporting racist values and working towards a world with an even stronger aperture between white people and people of color, but they are also continuing support towards violent and incredibly destructive organizations, who have killed and tortured minorities for decades. Not only has Chick-fil-A monetarily supported these organizations, but they have also opened their doors to act as hosting places for the Ku Klux Klan. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, and this is mainly due to the owner’s relationship with Christianity and Christian beliefs and morals; however, sources also say that they see several members of the KKK, whether it be nightfall or out in daylight, eating and talking at the establishments across the nation. Once accused of the monetary support, the company stopped funding the Family Research Council; however, the meetings still occur.
Chick-fil-A has also repeatedly acknowledged their “...disbelief in the rise of equality that the LGBTQ+ community is fighting for.” The company has worked in unison with The Salvation Army, which has been accused of homophobia. Their media relations director, Andrew Craibe, stated that “...gay people deserve a spiritual death.” Additionally, Chick-fil-A supported Exodus International, a group that encouraged conversion therapy until it was deemed ineffective. Conversion therapy is now illegal in 18 of our 50 states. The Marriage and Family Foundation, founded by Cathy himself, has the goal of funding marriage CoMission, which encourages companies to disregard homosexual relationships. In The Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s (another company funded by Chick-fil-A) Public Statement of Faith, a line explicitly states that “...marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman.” Workers must also sign a pledge that they agree with this idea and that they are “…not allowed to participate in homosexual activities.” Lastly, Chick-fil-A has been rather vocal about supporting The Paul Anderson Youth Home. This organization teaches children to believe that being homosexual is a “...rage against Jesus Christ and His values.”
The Company has also failed to include a healthcare policy that covers abortions. The controversial procedure, although against the owner’s belief system, is a woman’s right and should not be dictated by a man’s voice, power, or opinion.
The purpose of this article is not to persuade people to boycott Chick-fil-A because that is simply not attainable considering its popularity; instead, I hope to inform the public about the truth behind the fast food chain, and its unjust association of Christian Beliefs with the oppression of fundamental human rights. Many people call themselves allies and supporters of both the LGBTQ+ community and the Black Lives Matter movement, however, the true test will be whether or not they can give up a simple burger and milkshake, or if the food means so much to them that they will disregard their own values. In other terms, this will separate the authentic, passionate activists from those who do it simply for validation.
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