The Urban League of Greater Atlanta seems to think Chick-fil-A CEO and noted marriage equality opponent Dan Cathy is a deserving of an award for his civil rights work, though what work that actually is remains a big, old, deep-fried mystery.
For its 52nd Champions of Justice and Equality award, the Urban League, which focuses on the economic empowerment of African Americans, is honoring Cathy and actual civil rights activist Congressman John Lewis this Saturday.
While Lewis is known for his pioneering efforts in the civil rights movement and helping to organize 1963’s March on Washington, Cathy is known for putting his foot in his mouth and generally being the worst.
In addition to Chick-fil-A’s history of donating to anti-gay groups, Cathy has frequently made his own opinions on homosexuality and marriage equality known. After Cathy openly admitting to his bigotry last year, Chick-fil-A suffered a backlash and a boycott. Then earlier this year, Cathy proved his stripes had not changed when he tweeted his disappointment following the historic Supreme Court decisions in June.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Somehow that doesn’t strike us as particularly just or equal, but apparently the Urban League of Greater Atlanta has a different view.
h/t: Fenuxe
andy_d
Contact for this event, as posted on the website is:
Dottie Johnson
404 659 6580
http://ulgatl.org/event/52ns-annual-equal-opportunity-day-dinner
Cam
So basically this group also hates gays and are anti-gay bigots, and they want to reward the guy.
nyc0123
Just say boycott
Stache1
@Cam: Well, to be fair I’ve heard allot of these so called black leaders say civil rights are only about black rights. Real selfish mofo’s.
People should be outraged by this organization. It’s essentially a giant fuck you to the gay community.
calista
There’s a statue of Dan Cathy in the downtown Atlanta business district since Chick-fil-a was founded in Georgia. I suspect that he or his marketing team bought this “honor” to deflect from all the bad publicity they’ve been getting.
Caleb in SC
I hate the man’s views, but I will say this: In his business, he does put his money where his mouth is. He is not open on Sunday, which means he takes a big hit in revenue. Unlike other “Christian” businesses that are open on Sunday, Dan Cathy made a business decision and stuck by it. Still, it would be a cold day in hell before I ever eat there again.
rickhfx
Brought to you by Geico ! Boycott ?
Dakotahgeo
Just one more reason I never eat at Chik-Fulla-Shit!
2eo
I’d be awesome if his award was bowel cancer.
hephaestion
Dottie Johnson has a lot o’ ‘splainin’ to do!
2eo
@2eo: That works even with the mistake, I will be awesome indeed.
Ben Dover
Fried chicken? I guess this award might make sense if the Urban League also gave an award to a brewer of 40 oz. malt liquor. Oh, and a heroin dealer while they’re at it.
balehead
Boycotts don’t work…show up and protest the awards….
TheBigOne
@Ben Dover: Oh no you didn’t LOL
mcflyer54
Kind of makes you wonder how much money Mr. Cathy and/or Chick-fil-A have donated to the Urban League. Maybe they just appreciate all those high paying fast food jobs his company has provided.
Merv
It will be interesting to see how the other award winner, John Lewis, reacts. He has been a strong supporter of gay civil rights, actively opposing DOMA while in Congress, and supporting same-sex marriage. He also drew parallels with black civil rights:
“I’ve heard the reasons for opposing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink of the same fear, hatred and intolerance I have known in racism and in bigotry.”
DarthKitsune
so, it boils down to urban people praising a guy who makes fried chicken? you go ahead and give this guy an award, have Uncle Remus present it while you’re at it.
OhioMan
Well what does one expect..is it not Atlanta?
technicolornina
Someone should contact this group and point out that Dan Cathy donates to groups whose direct aim was to push through the “Kill the Gays” bill in Uganda.
If their focus is on African-American rights (which–let’s not be bitchy here–ARE still a very real issue), and part of those rights has to do with being forcibly dragged from Africa centuries ago, THE FATE OF THOSE STILL IN AFRICA SHOULD BE A MATTER OF THEIR CONCERN.
Teleny
@Merv: John Lewis is a classy guy. I’m dure he will say something about building tolerance that Chicken Filet idiot will ignore.
Kangol
@TheBigOne:
Your ra•cism is unacceptable. Please stop it, ASAP.
Kangol
@technicolornina:
We should contact them and tell them that supporting a bigot like Dan Cathy is a horrendous thing to do.
The number was posted above.
jwtraveler
It reminds me of HRC honoring Goldman Sachs for their support of the gay community. Hypocrisy is an equal opportunity disgrace.
sirald66
http://ulgatl.org/community-empowerment-award-statement
Those are their reasons why.
Sukhrajah
This goes to show, that in 2013, where states are tearing down the walls of marriage in-equality, and that we are coming out in greater and greater numbers – that there are still those that wish to destroy/hamper/diminish our efforts. It just strengthens my resolve to boycott Chick-Fil-A as well as the Urban League. As a man of color that has lived in the Atlanta area for some time, I guess it will be harder than most – but I am going to make it work.
longpastdue
@sirald66: Thank you for posting that. It shows that while he is still a douche and in my opinion not deserving of any award he is NOT recieving and “Equality,” award. The award he is receiving is basically for money donated to inner city youth programs it’s called the “Community Empowerment Award.” So again, still a douche but they aren’t claiming he is making strides for Equality.
Damich
…and now the winner of the Best Steaks and Burgers award goes to Chick Fil A!
tdx3fan
I really wish that those seeking to boycott would realize how ineffective it is. This company has grown a great deal during this boycott. Not to mention, ALL corporations cause serious human rights issues. If we boycotted them all, we would not be able to buy anything.
tdx3fan
@Caleb in SC: If he wants to put his money where his mouth is on the issue, where is all the news about his donations to the poor. If he was truly following religion, he should have all kinds of news stories devoted to him following the true teachings of Christianity. However, there are none. I would think giving millions to actual charities instead of hatred would garner some press.
tdx3fan
What people really should realize is that no issue is ever black or white…. it is always shades of grey.
I think that the reasoning that they give is very adequate, but also maybe someone is smart enough to realize just how much national attention this would garner on both sides of the aisle.
http://ulgatl.thesentmedia.com/ceaward/
tdx3fan
@longpastdue: Kind of makes you wonder why QT is presenting it as an Equality award? It couldn’t have anything to do with catering to race baiters now could it?
pauleky
@tdx3fan: I’m glad the leaders of the Civil Rights movement didn’t think as you do.
Ben Dover
@Kangol: “The Big One” LOL-ed my comment which must be what you’re objecting to. I could have made it clearer, I meant that fast food, fried chicken is a negative African-American stereotype. Maybe not quite as negative as 40 oz. malt liquor, but negative nonetheless! So was this the reason the Urban League gave them an “equality award”? The whole thing makes no sense, unless maybe they just like negative stereotypes?
Tackle
@Ben Dover, first off, he is NOT getting an equality award. He’s getting a Community Empowerment award for his philanthropy. Queerty false headline was used to bait people like you, and you fell for it, hook line and sinker judging by your r@cist comments that you tried to backtrack on. Click on the link that @sirald66 provided. And the silly line about heroin dealer. Which is definately more common in other areas. @tdx3fan you have valid points. @Kangol: thanks for calling out that junk.
Ben Dover
@Tackle: I’m not “backtracking” on anything. Negative stereotypes exist, whether you or I like them or not. WTF is a “Community Empowerment” award? How is it different from an “equality award”? I assume the “Urban League” wouldn’t give an award to a watermelon farmer or a banana importer, but I’m not going to object to those things because they’re actually good for you.
Fried chicken is bad for you! Btw, go fuck yourself.
Tackle
Haha. Someone is angry. Glad I struck a nerve. Yes negitive sterotypes exist , and so do onlien gay r@cist. And why don’t you ask them what is the difference between the two awards. By the names, even a child could figure that out. And sure they would give an award to watermelon farmer or banan importer. If the right amout of money was given. Just like they would give an award to a botox manufacture or a company that makes wrinkle removing cream. If the price is right. And both are good for YOU. And the sun is bad for YOU. And Btw, I’d love to fuck myself with my big Black dick.
customartist
Atlanta Urban League
Nancy Flake Johnson | President and CEO
Direct phone: (404) 659-6575
[email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Atlanta Urban League
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303-1600
Mr. Herman Andrews
Mr. Gregg Barber
Mr. John A. Berry
Ms. Moanica Caston
Dr. DeRetta Cole
Stacy Cole
Ms. Pamela Cross
Dr. Joyce Dorsey
Ms. Karen Brewer-Edwards
Ms. Janicka A. Green
Ms. Francey Hakes
Atty. Kenneth B. Hodges, III
Mr. Michael Johnson
Mr. Matthew Levin
Mr. Nick Nelson
Ms. Gail Nutt
Mr. Glenn Patton
Mr. Mark Pitts
Mr. Ernest W. Quarles
Ms. Myra Reeves
Mr. Daraka Satcher
Dr. Jabari Simama
Ms. Ciji Tatum
Ms. Deborah A. Thomas
Mr. Otis Threatt
Mr. Carl A. Tims
Ms. Charmaine Ward
Mr. John Wirtz
Ben Dover
@Tackle: Your anger is misplaced and you’re throwing around the “r” randomly & meaninglessly. Save it for the Urban League for its wallowing in self-hatred & r@cism & reinforcing negative black stereotypes. The award only makes sense if they are also giving one to, for instance, a brewer of 40 oz malt liquor. The “logic” is the same.
@customartist: Heh heh, thanks for the info!