Obviously, this supporter of equality saw the same video that I posted on Wednesday which suggested a great way to counter-protest the "Chick-fil-a Appreciation Day" event (Proverbs 25:21). And while our cause needs each and every supporter, both those gay and not, it's important to remember that the only way to win hearts and minds of even entrenched opponents in our struggle for civil rights is through non-threatening, non-violent, civil and courteous protests. We must always remember that the humble worker at the counter (or in this case, at the drive-thru window) is not the spokesperson for company, they did not speak out against equality and fairness. They are just like the rest of us, just trying to make a living and have a better life.
I felt sorry for this young lady who tried so hard to get through this difficult moment with kindness while dealing with the "righteous anger" that this man had come out to vent on a company whose leaders are doing real harm to GLBT people. I think this should be a teachable moment for us all... We don't know what that young lady's position on the issue was, she was just doing her job and she did it well... She stated Chick-fil-a's policy in their restaurants which is fair, honest and open... We are at odds with what the leaders of Chick-fil-a say, and with what they do with the profits of that company.
As for Mr. Smith, I thank him for his passion and desire to "stop the hate..." I'm sorry that his own employer seems so bent on supporting "Chick-fil-a's free speech" that it has punished Mr. Smith for passionately exercising his own free speech rights in one of the most important debates in our nation's history. I'm sure that Mr. Smith will pursue his own rights with just as much passion and vigor as he showed on Wednesday in speaking up for his fellow GLBT citizens. In hindsight, I'm sure he wishes he'd have been more polite and respectful about how he voiced his opinions, but what he said was true and sometimes the truth is a hard pill to give or receive.
In my own moments of protest, I am reminded of what Proverbs 25:15 has to say:
"By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone."
This was the principle that Dr. King understood so well, and it will serve us well in this our struggle for civil rights, equality and justice under the law.
Mr. Cathy is entitled to his beliefs however wrongheaded they may be. He is entitled to support whomever he chooses with the profits of his business. But we are also entitled to speak out against it and to fight for our rights as fellow citizens of a free country. Let us make our case with civility and love, for the battle has already turned in our favor and when the war of words has ended and the law of the land is clear, these will still be our neighbors, and possibly our friends with long forbearing and patience.
"Fear Eats the Soul"
i agree with you to a point. there does come a time when it can be far more immediately effective to be a bit less civil and sometimes you can only meet incivility in kind. to those who choose to be blind the truth is always threatening because it forces them to see what lies behind the veil of lies they hide behind. otherwise, same page though i myself have by no means mastered it. there is a feminist quote i think relevant, good girls do nothing or some such, sry-i saw it on fb and cant find it now.
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