During high school public speaking class, you are forced to argue one side of a debate, whether or not you actually agree with it. This exercise opened my mind to more effectively analyzing both sides of any debate in order to form the most educated opinion possible. If you understand the other side’s argument inside and out, you’re more equipped to respond to their assertions.
As you know, I don’t delve into political issues on my blog very often. When I do, I attempt to present an unbiased a post as possible {except in the case of the death penalty}. I think people generally approach political issues with a one-sided, inflexible mindset, so I think it’s important to play devil’s advocate.
In my recent post on Chick-Fil-A and TOMS, I apparently did a very good (too good?) job of hiding my actual opinion. One commenter, “Concerned Raleighite,” criticized my post, especially the part in which I draw a parallel between the actions of Chick-Fil-A and TOMS Shoes. While the commenter absolutely has valid points- many of which I agree with- I think their response highlighted exactly why I wrote the post in the first place.
This post came out of a conversation with someone in which we wondered whether businesses should do whatever they want with their money. We also wondered what people would think and do if Chick-Fil-A was supporting a different social issue. What if they supported a very liberal agenda? Would those who support boycotting them now support others boycotting them then? Or would their opinion suddenly change?
Some people may criticize me for addressing this issue, but remember: I’m not telling anyone that discrimination is okay; I’m just acknowledging that there are two sides to this. I’m also making people aware of Chick-Fil-A’s business practices so that they can be informed and make their own decisions going forward. I’m not asking for people to agree or disagree with me, but I am asking people to think about this issue instead of seeing it as a one-sided thing.
I do support the right to boycott {I think I made that clear by my decision to boycott Taco Bell}. I do agree that businesses who discriminate open themselves to criticism. I do believe that in this case, the criticism is valid.
In case my stance on gay rights is at all in question {which I suspect it is}, I will unabashedly go on the record as being for gay marriage and against Amendment 1. On May 8, I will proudly check the Against box and hope, pray, and cross my fingers that my fellow North Carolinians do too.
Though my boy did not win, I am hopeful that Obama will turn the US in a positive direction and that all will turn out well 
