Big business is about money and power - Not morals
Every year, conservatives in and around Charlotte, N.C., get their panties in a wad over big business sponsorships of events like the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala and Pride Charlotte (see also this DVD set, “Homosexuality, The Church & Society”).
They say that Corporate America has given in to the demands of the so-called “gay agenda.” Actually, what they really say is that LGBT people have become “highly-protected darlings of corporate America.” Priceless, that one is.
What they don’t realize is that big business could really care less about the specific moral or ideological points held by these organizations or events they are sponsoring. Their corporate sponsorship isn’t based on ideology — it is based on cash and the creation of more wealth and name/brand recognition.
Companies which usually have a good track record when it comes to supporting LGBT organizations and events are also supporting through corporate political action committees the election of conservative Republicans.
For example, Rep. Sue Myrick (NC-09) has never been a friend of the LGBT community, and likely never will be. Yet, according to The Charlotte Observer she received $110,000 from PACs associated with Wachovia, Ford Motor Co. and GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceuticals. All three of these companies received a perfect 100 score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index and have a history of financially supporting LGBT organizations and causes.
Myrick isn’t the only example. Arch-conservative Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC-10) has accepted large donations from Wells Fargo, another company receiving a perfect 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Wells Fargo has also teamed up with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and every year offers an LGBT Business Owner of the Year award.
This isn’t about what is right or fair or just. At least not to American corporations. Money speaks and often times equals power, which is good for these companies’ bottom lines no matter which party or sexual orientation or religion or other group is getting ditched in the process.
Upcoming Events:
Join the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Director Harry Knox as he debates homosexuality and religion with Dr. Michael Brown, director of the anti-gay Coalition of Conscience.
Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:00 p.m.
Booth Playhouse, Charlotte, N.C.
For free tickets, email info@hrccarolinas.org.
Related:
- “The Fighting Words of Michael Brown” (ExGayWatch.com)
- Editorial: “Holy war: ‘a cause worth dying for’” (InterstateQ.com)
- “Anti-gay militants announce ‘forums’ to counter HRC Carolinas Gala” (InterstateQ.com)
- “Anti-gay group hosts Gay and Christian forum” (InterstateQ.com)
About the Author: Matt
2 Responses to “Big business is about money and power - Not morals”
“Money speaks” — which also means it speaks against homophobia, racism, sexism, etc.
Stated differently, if those evil corporations are more concerned with “greed” than with bias, then they will hire black employees, promote women to management, and advertise in gay media. “Almighty Dollar” is indeed more easily worshipped than “Almighty God.” And that’s a very good thing, especially in Jesusland.
Also — Who is more likely to engage in quiet, backdoor discrimination: (a) Big & Evil Corp, with a large bureaucracy enforcing established rules, monitored by activists and politicians, and accountable to outside investors; or (b) the “Bubba & Sons” pizzeria, grocery store or law office that can very quietly discriminate in hiring, pay, promotions, etc.?
Capitalism — “greed” if you prefer — is a persecuted minority’s best friend.
By KipEsquire on Feb 7, 2008
As to that “big business is about money and power, not morals” thing – it is about both, in its way. The moral obligation of a business is to do its best for its stockholders, the people who entrust (ie risk) their money to the company in the hopes that their investment will pay off – perhaps by financing their retirement, perhaps their children’s education, perhaps as a means of purchasing a rental property which can then provide low-income housing for somebody else (all this to say nothing of the obligation to the employees of the company itself to ensure that the business stays afloat so it can keep paying their salaries).
It is a moral act to do what you have promised to do, to uphold your duty to somebody else. It is the job of a nonprofit organization to argue for justice for gay people, or to provide soup kitchens, or any of a million other good acts (and I would note that the majority of these nonprofits’ Boards of Governors are people who fortune has favored in the private sector). It is the job of a for-profit organization to profit, and so nobody should be surprised that moral businessmen pursue that endeavor. If that means getting their name out there by sponsoring gay pride events, cool. If it means sponsoring Exodus International, less cool for us – but it simply speaks to our need to convince the general populace that such sponsorship is a bad thing, which will convince corporations that sponsoring bad things isn’t good business. Corporations will make their decisions, and life goes on. To everything there is a season.
By Casey on Feb 7, 2008