iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
D.L. Hughley

GET UPDATES FROM D.L. Hughley
 

Dear Chick-Fil-A

Posted: 08/09/2012 11:13 am

Dear Chick-Fil-A,

You and I sure have had our share of good times. I fondly recall the first moment I ever met you: it was at the Atlanta airport. I'd always heard about you, and was a little nervous to approach. You were everything everyone said you were and more. It was truly love at first bite. I told you I'd come back, and I did -- time and time again. We met in various cities all over the country, each time better than the last, as if we'd never been apart. Isn't that what true love is, where it picks up right it left off?

You can imagine my excitement when I heard you were moving west to my city, Los Angeles. I'd be able to see you as much as I wanted, with no shame or recriminations. Our love would no longer have to be in secret. We could love out loud, for the entire world to see. I was in bliss, and for a time I was truly truly happy.

But baby, lately you've been doing me dirty. You've been speaking with a forked tongue, spewing hate instead of frying love. Who would have thought that a chicken sandwich would become a symbol for both free speech and intolerance at the same time? It brings a whole new meaning to the question, "Do you it want light or dark?"

I don't understand why you're jeopardizing what we have. You're forcing me to choose between my heart and my stomach. Your president has said that you believe that a marriage is only between a man and a woman. But if anyone keeps eating at your establishment, the only relationship that'll matter is between a man and his cardiologist. It's not like anyone, gay or straight, is getting married in your restaurant -- nor will any gay couple ever be serving fried food at their nuptials.

You say that gay marriage is a sin, like in Leviticus 19:22. But a preceding verse, Leviticus 17:14, says, "You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off." You don't cook your chicken in a kosher way. On what grounds are you picking and choosing which edicts to follow?

Is this all because your President, Dan Cathy, has both male and female names? I can see how that can lead to a confusion with one's gender identity. But whether he's transgendered, cisgendered, questioning, or in transition, he's still one of God's children deserving of empathy and compassion.

Don't get me wrong. I support Mr. Cathy's right to think what he wants and vote however he sees fit. But like the Good Book says, we need sanctuaries in this world, places where a man can go to escape his thoughts. That used to be you. Now I have to wonder if I'm doing the right thing when I step inside your doors, if I am subsidizing perspectives that I am vehemently opposed to. Ignorance is bliss, girl, especially in your industry. Do you really want your customers to start thinking when they step foot in your doors? They'd run out of there faster than -- and you'll pardon the expression -- a bat out of hell. They'll go looking to put something healthier into the God-given temple that is their body.

When have fast food and politics ever intermingled before? Arthur Treacher's has never impressed sailors into the British navy, not even once. Burger King didn't send his royal troops to support us in Iraq. Long John Silver has left his pirating days behind him, and now is a peaceful member of our community. Pizza Hut did not try to declare itself a Habitat for a Humanity. It's not the gay community that is freaky, outspoken and different. It's you, baby.

You say that that's a good thing, that you operate under your own rules. You point out that, unlike your rivals, you're closed on Sunday. Isn't it ironic that Sunday is the most socially segregated day of the week? We go to church, a place where everyone looks like us, talks like us and thinks like us. Not only is Chick-Fil-A closed on Sundays; but so are many hearts and minds. Apparently, you think this is a good thing.

So Chick-Fil-A, baby, I guess what I'm struggling to say, as I fight back the tears and wipe the grease from my fingers, is this. It's not that I don't love you; we both know that's not true. I know I'll never find another like you. But baby, we are growing in two different directions. I'm afraid I won't be able to see you anymore.

May God bless and keep you,
D. L. Hughley

PS I would have written this on one of your fine napkins, but it was just too painful a reminder of the way we were.

 

Follow D.L. Hughley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/realdlhughley

FOLLOW BLACK VOICES
Dear Chick-Fil-A, You and I sure have had our share of good times. I fondly recall the first moment I ever met you: it was at the Atlanta airport. I'd always heard about you, and was a little nervous...
Dear Chick-Fil-A, You and I sure have had our share of good times. I fondly recall the first moment I ever met you: it was at the Atlanta airport. I'd always heard about you, and was a little nervous...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 1,736
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Highlights
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (26 total)
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JohnnyAce Okeke
GRAND MASTER SEN$Ei {{-_-}}ā„¢
01:03 AM on 08/23/2012
DL, you were the least funny person on the Kings of Comedy. Worry about that. {{-_-}}
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Bee-otch Wagon
Relax! Relate! Release!...
10:09 AM on 08/16/2012
"Who would have thought that a chicken sandwich would become a symbol for both free speech and intolerance at the same time?"

My favorite line.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Hashhero
Cats & Dogs, living together...MASS HYSTERIA!!
09:00 AM on 08/16/2012
Dear DL Hughley,

I officially apologize for every bad thing I ever said about your show. You're not my favorite stand-up, but you are clearly a stand-up guy.

Thank you,

Tom
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
03:16 AM on 08/15/2012
Comedy, the ones who praise DL for his unfunny letter, just like his unfunny stand up comedy shows, must not know the REAL DL Hughley. The stuff he has said about homosexuals surpasses everything.

Epic Fail!
aa260022
The times they are a changin'
03:51 PM on 08/15/2012
Not clever. Improper use of the term "epic fail". Unnecessary use of exclamation mark. Statements of "unfunny" for something that has gotten generally good reviews.

2/10
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TheBostonMike
08:34 PM on 08/14/2012
DL, I was thinking the other day about something that I think is of utmost importance. I want you to steal this joke if you like it. I wrote it for you. Go refine it and make it your own. What about the poor guy that really hates eating Chick-Fil-A... but he also hates the gays? What is he suposed to do? He doesn't WANT to eat their chicken.. but now.. he kinda has to. He has to be seen with his back of chicken sandwiches smiling and taking a big juicy bite.. all the while it is making his stomach ache and naking him naucious. Here he was happily hating Gays every day and eating at KFC, .. and now.. no more. Poor guy.
05:37 PM on 08/14/2012
this is simple, if you dont like what the Chick-Fil-A representative said about his Christian belief that a marriage is between a MAN AND A WOMAN then dont eat there. But I detest people who want to try to ruin an organization through shame and boycott for speaking out on their religious beliefs.

As I previously stated, I've never been a fan of this outfit, but I will support them until I learn something different for instance, all the gay employees were rounded up and terminated. Until then, I stand by this organization! and as a TRUE American, you should too.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Love is never wrong
Please support The Trevor Project
11:05 AM on 08/15/2012
Did you know that this company donates money to groups that call for boycotts of any and all companies and products that support equality. I guess you missed that didn't you.

So as far as boycotting Chick-Fil-HATE it comes down to this, what goes around comes around. AND FYI, we gays don't forget things like this EVER!
06:07 PM on 08/15/2012
uh, no, I didnt know that. Please provide your unbiased sources/links so that I can look into this for myself. So, you're saying that the boycott of the chain is NOT about Cathy's expression, but about your claim that they BOYCOTT companies that support equality?
02:05 PM on 08/22/2012
Actually they give money to groups that support Christian values and beliefs. Why is everyone shocked by this? A Christian supporting Christian companies...do not the companies whose leaders agree with gay marriage support those other organizations? BTW...real Christians love all people, but that does not mean we have to condone all behavior and choices.
04:10 PM on 08/16/2012
If a gay person really wants to work for CFA (and I highly doubt one would) do you really think they would announce it to their employer? If Dan had merely said he does not support gay marriage and left it at that It may have just blown over. However he also said gay marriage invites God's judgement on our country. Our whole country's survival is dependent on whether gays marry? LMAO. He also donates millions to groups that oppose homosexuality, not just gay marriage.
12:56 AM on 08/17/2012
okay, so why would it be necessary for a Gay person to announce that he or she was gay if he/she were to go to work for Chickfa? Secondly, if Cathy said the latter of what you are claiming then he is referencing the Bible's account of God's destruction of the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah and thirdly, I researched your and other's claim that this organization donated to groups that suppress gay-rights and could not find it. None of the major news orgs reported on your claims and though I like Huffington's reporting, it is still not enough for ME.

Bottomline here is, as an American, I stand behind his right to proclaim his religious convictions.

Again, just dont eat there and move on people if it upsets you that much. As far as I'm concerned, this country has greater issues that could push us all off a cliff and all these rights that we enjoy will then be meaningless.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rhussey73
I calls it like I sees it.
12:01 PM on 08/14/2012
Cheers to that! Thanks D L!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
6531WilliamsG
Prior service Marine,Uni grad, U.S. Army shortly
11:43 AM on 08/14/2012
Awesome, article really liked the mention of the prior leviticus part and it not being kosher :)
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Daryl Woods
09:03 AM on 08/14/2012
D.L. you continue to impress. Great read sir!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Princess Rita
Everyone is entitled to my opinions..!!
01:07 AM on 08/14/2012
D L Hughley awesome post.......
10:27 PM on 08/13/2012
Great writing Mr. H. Thanks for being smart AND funny. I appreciate you taking a stand. I doubt it will make you popular, but I am forever grateful!
Phargraves2
Free Men & Free Markets
08:58 PM on 08/13/2012
Remember wherever you are on the Chic Fil A debate. If you like to eat chicken...... You still need a Hen AND a Rooster!!
aa260022
The times they are a changin'
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Hashhero
Cats & Dogs, living together...MASS HYSTERIA!!
09:04 AM on 08/16/2012
If you want to use farm logic to argue your point, please remember that eggs are unfertilized chicken fetuses. It could have been a viable chicken, but it has been discarded. It's a chicken's period, and in a way kind of an abortion. So...enjoy your bacon & chicken menses.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Joseph Idowu
08:41 PM on 08/13/2012
People act as if Dan CAthy and the Chick Fil A corporate elite and private family are the only ones in the entire world that have unpopular beliefs. Heck, for all we know, the president of McDonalds, Walmart, Publix, etc. could very well share the same beliefs as Dan Cathy. Those same companies could very well be donating funds to similar organizations.

Grow up adults!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Brianna Cole
Which one wins? The one you feed.
10:41 PM on 08/13/2012
That is the point though. FOR ALL WE KNOW... We DON'T know. It is the #1 reason that if you want to run your business smoothly, you keep your mouth shut on any religion etc. beliefs. You are MORE than entitled to an opinion, but don't start crying when people have a problem with it.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Joseph Idowu
03:09 AM on 08/15/2012
It is sad that people get this offended and stuck up over other people's opinions; even if said person is a business owner. Sad and pathetic. . .
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Joseph Idowu
09:40 PM on 08/16/2012
I know man. I keep getting people writing essays to me, as if I really give a darn what they have to say. We have some highly disturbed people on this site man. I have too much to do to sit on here all day going back and forth. My wife wonders why I even engage these peoples.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
milles manson
"Let us insert the microchip Or Go To Prisoncamp"
05:14 PM on 08/13/2012
D.L. must have wrote this without knowing that chic-fil-a had record earnings after their ceo gave his statement.D.L. your on the loosing side.
aa260022
The times they are a changin'
12:34 PM on 08/15/2012
It's spelled "losing"

And all studies say the number of supporters for gay marriage has doubled in the past dozen years. It's now a majority. A war is not won by one battle
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
milles manson
"Let us insert the microchip Or Go To Prisoncamp"
02:27 PM on 08/15/2012
how many will come out publicly?alot of what people agree with in polls and studys they will not agree with publicly.polls and studies do promise to not reveal participants names.
04:17 PM on 08/16/2012
And now many college want CFA removed from their campuses. Gotta love the younger generation for understanding that the world cannot survive without love and acceptance. (Not always about the money honey!!!)
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
milles manson
"Let us insert the microchip Or Go To Prisoncamp"
04:43 PM on 08/16/2012
small minority of students want it removed.
02:21 PM on 08/22/2012
Love and acceptance...except of course for the Biblical point of view. Heaven forbid that anyone say that someone else is doing something that is wrong...we might hurt their feelings.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Patty Roldan
09:30 AM on 08/13/2012
I havent seen this company sprew hate. The man said what he believe. There is not way I am giving up eating there. Because I have a mind of my own and I am not letting any group tell me where to eat.
aa260022
The times they are a changin'
04:44 PM on 08/13/2012
$5 million dollars to organizations like Exodus International and Family Research Council which supported the Ugandan "kill the gays" bill and promoted the kidnapping of children from gay couples. I'm really getting tired of repeating this
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Joseph Idowu
08:39 PM on 08/13/2012
welp! still wont stop me from eating there.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ND Smith
08:03 PM on 08/13/2012
My uncle believes all whites are devils. If he opens a chicken joint will you eat there too? I won't ...and I'm not white. But I do not that hatred should never be patronized. and I love my uncle. I have no ties at all to chick so no chick for me thats it and thats all folks. Either we want an inclusive country or we don't.