Footage of the former CEO of Chick-fil-A suggesting white people should shine black shoes from 2020 has resurfaced following the Christian company’s hiring of a diversity manager.
The three-year-old video shows Dan Cathy, son of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, taking a knee and shining the shoes of Lecrae Moore, a black Christian rapper at an Atlanta church.
While discussing the topic of repentance at a June 14 panel discussion at Passion City Church, Cathy said the world needs to have a sense of shame, embarrassment and “a heart of apology. “.
The video sparked backlash online, with some critics calling it racist and bizarre.
The discussion came after the city was rocked by protests over the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks, which occurred there the previous weekend, as well as the earlier death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Footage of former Chick-fil-A CEO suggesting white people should shine black shoes from 2020 has surfaced
While discussing the subject of repentance, Cathy stood up and started to shine rapper Lecrae Moore’s sneakers, suggesting it could be a way for white people to redeem themselves.
Chick-fil-A was founded by devout Christians. Left to right, Andrew, Dan and Truett Cathy
“We had a dozen Chick-fil-A restaurants that were vandalized in the last week, but my plea would be for white people rather than pointing fingers at what kind of criminal effort would be to see the level of frustration and exasperation and almost the sense of hopelessness that exists among some of these activists within the African-American community,” Cathy said.
“It must hurt us as Caucasians until we are ready to step up and fight for our black and African American brothers and sisters,” he added.
It was then that Cathy stood up and began to shine Moore’s shoes, suggesting this might be a way for white people to redeem themselves.
“I urge people to turn words into action, and if we need to find someone who needs their shoes shined, we just have to go on and shine their shoes,” the CEO said. snuggling up on Moore’s shoes with a brush.
Crays’ remarks sparked bewilderment and criticism on Twitter in 2020. The video went viral again, sparking backlash among critics online.
It comes after outraged conservatives called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A after news that the company had hired a ‘diversity, equity, inclusion’ vice president went viral this week.
America’s favorite fast food chain, which has always been hailed by conservatives for its strong roots and religious values, is the next company to receive a backlash for its efforts to be more ‘inclusive’
Dan T. Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, speaks onstage at the 2019 Beloved Benefit event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 21, 2019
Chick-fil-A released a statement in 2021 talking about their company’s mission to take care of customers and employees, a goal they summarize as “Better at Together”
Conservatives are outraged online after statement from Chick-fil-A’s DEI VP goes viral
Chick-fil-A originally released a statement in 2021 to talk about their company’s mission to take care of customers and employees, a goal they summarize as “Better at Together.”
“We understand that the path to Better at Together is different for every business,” the statement said.
“At Chick-fil-A, Inc., our commitment is to approach this work with intention and humility, always believing the best in each other and seeking common ground. We are only at the beginning of our journey, but we are honored to have the opportunity to manage our organization’s greatest asset – our people – and are energized by the road ahead of us.
McReynolds has previously stated that DEI is necessary to achieve the company’s goal.
“Chick-fil-A restaurants have long been recognized as a place where people know they will be treated well. Caring for others starts at the restaurant, and we are committed to ensuring mutual respect, understanding and dignity wherever we do business.
“These principles are good business practice and are essential to achieving our corporate purpose,” he continued.
Chick-fil-A’s DEI initiative hopes to “focus on promoting equal access to opportunity, valuing differences, and ‘creating a culture of belonging,'” according to their website.
The company said it has supported various organizations, including Women in Business (WIB) and the Black Employee Resource Group (BERG).
Tories took to Twitter to share their disapproval – with some believing Reynolds was a new hire for the company.
One user said: ‘Something tells me that Chick-fil-A will soon be called to repentance.’
Another said: ‘Hi Chick-fil-A 100,000 points for life since app launch. You have now lost my family after this ridiculous and Marxist statement by the DEI. Very sad/disappointed and I know my dollars don’t matter…but I guess it was only a matter of time before you let the communists take over.
Chick-fil-A was founded by devout Christians and known for its religious ideals. The Cathys are the reason Chick-fil-A has always been praised by conservatives for its strong Christian roots and cited religious values as part of their philosophy guiding their direction of the company.
