"Chick- fil -A": A Brand Pretending To Have Old Fashioned Family Values

The Scoop From The Chicken Coop 


Need Some Fix-in  in The Chick fil A Kitsch-en

I love vintage roosters, chickens, cows and all the tschotskes that go with good old fashioned country living, hard working farm families and back home hospitality. Like many baby boomers, I have decorated my kitchen with retro roosters and have wished that Aunt Bea would be joining me for a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea. We all yearn for good neighbors and kind words.

Collecting Friends

When I can't get out antiquing and hunting for more kitschy country kitchen collectibles I'm on Pinterest.com happily "playing" in my virtual collecting world rejoicing in every new follower who is as obsessed as I am about vintage kitchen collectibles. It feels  good to have friends even in cyberspace.  But every now and then, the crazy real world seeps into my brain and I am forced to focus!


So What's All The Fuss About Chick-Fil-A ?

So what in the world is all the fuss about "Chick-fil-A" ?, a  good food eatery that's getting a lot of attention in the news .Up until a week ago, I'm not even sure I ever heard of "Chick- Fil -A",  a  successful Atlanta based fast food franchise with 1,608 outlets. But now I'm tuned into the food fight. Here's what all the clucking is about for those of you who like me can go days and weeks living in the retro past or out shopping for more kitschy kitchen companions.



Chicken Pride Versus Gay Pride

Chick- fil- A headed by president Dan Cathy is currently involved in a corporate nightmare because it appears that  Dan might indeed care more about chicken and cow pride than gay pride and basic human rights.  Dan Cathy, a religious man supports the "biblical definition of a family" . According to Bloomberg  Businessweek, Dan believes Americans have a "prideful arrogant attitude"  about gay marriage that risks "inviting God's judgment on our nation".

The Huffington Post.com reports that Chick-fil-A gives money to The Family Research Council, designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Another cause that receives contributions is a Christian Ministry that endorses ex-gay therapy, a practice disavowed by most mental health organizations.

Also reported in the Huffington Post is that  gay employees are coming forward and telling stories of a  culture of gay discrimination and hurtful banter at some of the Chick fil A outlets. Gay employees have kept quiet for fear of losing their jobs and have been told to keep neutral when  a custom blatantly makes a homophobic remark.

Somethings Not Kosher About Chick fil A

Whoa....this does not appear to be a kosher situation. Where are the good ole family values that Chick fil A cherishes according to their website? The scoop out of the chicken coop is that Dan Cathy is running a company that is not  encouraging good family values for ALL Americans, only some Americans.

Dan needs to stop giving money to  groups that discriminate against gays. He also needs to revamp his company brand  and create a climate from the very top down to each franchise that promotes tolerance, respect and equality for ALL. !


What We Can Learn From Bill Marriot

 Dan Cathy could learn a lot from Bill Marriott (Morman controlled hotel chain) who separates his  personal religious views from company practices. He does not donate to causes which are anti gay.equality. And in fact, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, Bill Marriott "is publicly reinforcing his company's commitment to gay rights through domestic partners benefits and services aimed at gay couples". Better.....but not quite equal yet.

Inspiration Versus Alienation

Diana Brady (Bloomberg Businessweek July 25th, 2012) wrote  "The problem is that he (Dan Cathy) crossed the line in letting his faith become less about inspiration than alienation". Brady reports that Chic fil A  rings up $4 billion in sales each year. While Dan Cathy is entitled to his religious beliefs, his story goes beyond his personal myopia. Chic- fil- A is branded as a kid-family- friendly, community centered business with a corporate  purpose "to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A. O.K. now we need some some fix-in in the Chic-fil-A kitsch-en.


Should You Boycott Chick- fil- A?

I do see a justification for the current wave of outrage and calls to boycott  Chick- fil- A.  Sometimes it takes a kick in the money belt to knock sense into the heart.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/us/gay-rights-uproar-over-chick-fil-a-widens.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-controversy-employees-speak-out_n_1729968.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/god-and-gay-marriage-what-chick-fil-a-could-learn-from-marriott

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-01/why-chick-fil-a-and-other-brands-arent-being-bullied

If you wold like to have your voice heard  please read http://www.change.org/petitions/new-york-university-stop-serving-anti-gay-chick-fil-a-on-campus and see what you can do in your region.

For more information  on gay and lesbian advocacy visit  http://www.glad.org/ .


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Buying Kitchen Collectibles: Something To Crow About...Cocka-Doodle-Doo

Finally, A Shopping Trip To Crow About......
The Kitschy Collector Scores BIG

Cocka - Doode - Doo did I find some fun kitchen collectibles and retro linens today. And of course I came home with two bundles full of these kitschy kitchen collectibles.

Loving Queen Anne Antiques

After too many hours blogging (and I do love blogging), I finally left my computer (and brand new hard drive I might add) and ventured out to one of my favorite haunts, Queen Anne Antiques in Canton, Connecticut. Let me go on record...hunting for kitchen stuff trumps blogging! But you all get that right?


All From One Estate: The Best Kitchen Collectibles

This little shop was packed with great stuff after the owner acquired the contents of a home (part of an estate of a family friend) . The dear deceased women had closets filled with items with the tags still on them. April, the owner is unpacking a few boxes each day. She promises me that she will call me when the rest of the kitchen collectibles are marked and put out for sale.

Keeping Tabs On April At Queen Anne Antiques

I have been visiting her shop all week because the goodies keep coming. A few days ago, (April wasn't opened but she was there) I wandered into her shop and came home with two great vintage summer hand bags. Today, April had a pile of retro linens she was marking. Guess who came home with all the good stuff?

Roosters, Bowls, tools, Advertising, Linens

And then there were the rooster...and the kitchen-wares. I also bought the packages of vintage straws and a bunch of pantry items. Stay tuned for the rest of the kitchen collectibles I will be coming home with. By the way, many of these gems are headed for my shop, Kitsch n Stuff over the next few days. And don't be surprised if April visits my shop in a few weeks and buys some of my kitsch.

Visit
QUEEN ANN ANTIQUES. Rear of 163 Albany Turnpike, Route 44, Canton, CT (860) 847-2094

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.