More Hate in America

I don't know if you've heard of them, I never had until today, but there's a new hate group to pay attention to on the American scene.

It's called One Million Moms (you can pretty much always tell the hate groups by their wholesome names, eh?) and they seem to be a subsidiary of the American Family Association.

But it's a group of mothers, right, so they must be agitating for beneficial, motherly values, right? Like nutrition programs in the schools, or free health care for low-income women, or early education programs?

Afraid not. Apparently what One Million Moms want is for J.C. Penney to fire Ellen DeGeneres as their spokesperson.

OMM began contacting JC Penney after the store announced that comedian Ellen Degeneres would become the company's new spokesperson. Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of its customers are traditional families. As consumers, what we find tragic is a corporate office and customer service department that not only transfers customers to voicemail, but even hangs up on them rather than verses hearing their concerns.

It is absurd to think that a company would find treating customers in this fashion an acceptable behavior. Our members stated their concerns in a kind, professional manner. Insulting customers by ignoring us will not be tolerated. OMM members can shop elsewhere if JC Penney does not appreciate our business. Unless JC Penney decides to be neutral in the culture war and listen to customers in a considerate fashion, their brand transformation will be unsuccessful.

Degeneres is not a true representation of the type of families who shop at the retailer. The small percentage of customers they are attempting to satisfy will not offset their loss in sales by offending the majority.

Since JC Penney won't listen to us nationally, it is time we let them hear from us locally!

J.C. Penney says no, they're sticking with Ellen.

A spokeswoman for the retailer declined further comment on the issue but did say in an e-mail to Reuters, "jcpenney stands behind its partnership with Ellen DeGeneres" and added that its announcement of the agreement last week sums up the company's view of the popular TV personality

What's most striking to me about this call to action is the way they phrase it. In their eyes, lining up with the intolerant bigots is "decid[ing] to be neutral in the culture war"!

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to take their advice. I will contact J.C. Penney, and I'll tell them that as a longtime customer I'm glad that they're not caving in to pressure and discriminating against Ellen DeGeneres for her sexual orientation.

Maybe you want to do the same.