Some conservatives are calling for a boycott of Chick-fil-A (CFA) because of the company’s vice president of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) and its DEI policy. The controversy appears to originate with viral social media posts and follows recent uproars surrounding the L.A. Dodgers, Target and Bud Light.
“When they bow to the diversity gods, it is NOT okay w/the folks who’ve supported Chick-Fil-A over the years,” said author and commentator Eric Metaxas, retweeting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. “Just as it’s NOT okay w/Dodgers fans that they are bowing to Satanic anti-Christian groups. It’s time to push back.”
When they bow to the diversity gods, it is NOT okay w/the folks who’ve supported Chick-Fil-A over the years… Just as it’s NOT okay w/Dodgers fans that they are bowing to Satanic anti-Christian groups. It’s time to push back. https://t.co/yt8O7gXfXU
— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) May 31, 2023
“DEI is an inherently anti-Christian practice,” said Kirk. “Having a ‘DEI director’ isn’t just bad business. It’s incompatible with being a conservative or a Christian company.”
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Chick-fil-A Criticized for DEI Policy
“Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion” refers to a set of values that modern companies often adopt in order to make sure that all employees, particularly minorities, are treated fairly. On a page explaining its DEI policy, labeled “Better at Together,” Chick-fil-A says that its “Corporate Purpose” is “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
Acknowledging that “the path toward Better at Together looks different for every business,” CFA said its goal is to “approach this work with intention and humility.”
“Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s commitment to being Better at Together means embedding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in everything we do,” said the company.
CFA listed a number of initiatives it is pursuing, including hiring racially diverse talent, providing education opportunities for team members, and supporting fair wages for coffee farmers. The company is committed not to discriminate based on “sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, pregnancy, age, physical and mental disability, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status and/or any other status.”
In a viral tweet, political commentator Joey Mannarino said, “We have a problem. Chick-Fil-A just hired a VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This is bad. Very bad. I don’t want to have to boycott. Are we going to have to boycott?” Mannarino later said that he does not have a problem with diversity or inclusion, but takes issue with equity, which he differentiates from equality.
