Category Archives: Poltical Correctness

Chick-fil-A is once again the subject of controversy. I am ashamed to say it is happening in my state of New Mexico. But then again, the word ‘ashamed” is coming up quite often these days in conversation.

A meeting will be held today Wednesday, February 27th on campus of the University of New Mexico as to whether or not a Chick-fil-A can remain on campus. The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico approved a resolution to remove the restaurant because they feel the stance that the stance taken by Chik-fil-A CEO, Dan Cathy, last summer on Gay marriage is not something that UNM wants to represent. Evidently, they don’t “represent” the 1st Amendment either. ASUNM Vice President, Sunny Liu, said that “out of ASUNM’s 20 senators, 15 voted in favor of the resolution, three voted against, and two abstained.”

Liu said the resolution, “reflects the student government’s official stance on the issue. He said the resolution aims to make the University more comfortable for minority groups, especially LGBT students”, on campus, even though 85 percent of students surveyed said they wanted Chick-fil-A to stay. In a current poll online according to the Daily Lobo a vast majority of students want to keep the restaurant on campus. So, the will of the students is effectively being ignored. In a letter posted to the editor of the Daily Lobo it is clear that some students understand a 1st Amendment attack when they see one. Posted in response to the article “ASUNM votes to evict mor chikin,” published in Friday’s Daily Lobo.

Editor,

I was pretty disturbed to find out that the student government is trying to forcibly remove Chick-fil-A from the SUB. Whether or not we agree with Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s view on sexuality, running Chick-fil-A out of UNM is an exceptionally immature and unfair way to react. By attempting to force out Chick-fil-A, ASUNM is sending a message of discrimination. If our government is attempting to destroy our freedom of speech by shutting down businesses, then where is our government headed? How long before anyone can be run out of UNM for politely and reasonably stating an opinion? Is anyone else disturbed by this? Justin Kesselring
UNM student

I personally applaud this student for understanding the core ideals and sacred understanding of the First Amendment. People listen to me, the First Amendment was not created to protect only what we are “comfortable” with in society. It is there to protect the individual in society. That includes statement, beliefs, and ideals which are not necessarily our own. I state this because even the VILE Westboro Baptist Church is afforded the right of free speech in this country. I personally do not agree with anything that church has to say, but I will defend it’s right to say it.

Regarding this Chick-fil-A on the UNM campus. It employs ten people some of whom are University students. The removal of the restaurant will impact them greatly. Where will they go? Has anyone even bothered to figure out that this particular Chick-fil-A is not even owned by or managed by Chick-fil-A? It is operated under a company called Chartwell’s, a franchise of its own. In a statement to local news station Channel 7 KOAT Chartwell’s says this:

Chartwells rejects any form of discrimination and has clear and strong policies that embrace diversity, inclusion and respect in the workplace. We have zero tolerance for any behavior that is contrary to these values. Chartwells has a Zero Tolerance Discrimination and Harassment Policy, which enforces compliance with federal, state and local laws that prohibit discrimination or harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, disability, age, pregnancy, national origin, veteran status or any other unlawful factor.”

I take them and their statement as being honest and truthful. Speaking directly with a very credible source on this subject, this Chick-fil-A prides its self on the ability to produce a good quality product for the students of UNM and holds its Integrity to a very high standard. In no uncertain terms do they discriminate what so ever.

With that being said, I fear the voice of the students is being denied, the 1st Amendment is once again under attack. It proves to me that if your view is not “a comfortable one” not a PC one, or if you have any dissent that goes against the grain, you will be attacked, ridiculed and thrown out of society. Isn’t that a reason why we left England and the King’s rule in the first place back in the 1600’s? Or is the history of America and what we were founded on being thrown off campus as well? Continue reading →