New Yorker Writer Gets Bashed For Critiquing Chick-Fil-A's "Creepy Infiltration"
In today's edition of "Liberal Elite Gets Roasted On The Internet," The New Yorker published a story critiquing fast food chicken sandwich joint Chick-Fil-A's Christian values. Fans of the chicken-based chain fiercely tweeted back.
Brooklyn-based Dan Piepenbring penned "Chick-Fil-A's Creepy Infiltration of New York City" in response to the chain's speedy expansion in NYC, which he argues doesn't align with the City's "fuggedaboutit," subway-enduring attitude. If Chick-Fil-A isn't going to let me complain about my rent and tiny apartment before going to my goat yoga class, then I want none of it!
The article feels like a standup bit, the type that pokes fun squarely at the ridiculous reality of Chick-Fil-A's Christian undertones. But it also makes you stop and think, "Wait a second, he might have a point," or "The idea of cows trying to save their skin by getting humans to eat chickens is a little weird." Whether or not Piepenbring meant for his piece to lean towards the comical, quick-typing thumbs barked right back.
Seriously?! Quit trying to get people fired up and angry. Go have a chicken sandwich, you'll feel better.
— Cynthia Luhrs (@wickedgreens) April 15, 2018
I'm not even Christian, but that's just plain idiocy. 🤦♂️
— Trading Ace (@TradingAce09) April 15, 2018
The only thing creepy is @newyorker's elitist intolerance of diverse viewpoints on Faith and family. Also, my guess is the author hasn't had the deliciousness that is @ChickfilA.
— Alexandra (@alexkogs) April 15, 2018
The story addresses Chick-Fil-A's most popular reason for abstaining from the chain—CEO Dan Cathy's bigotry-fueled charity which funds anti-LGBTQ organizations—as an additional reason for New Yorkers to turn the other cheek. Multiple readers chalked the article up to something to the effect of "It's just a chicken sandwich." And frankly speaking, it's not just a chicken sandwich (they have tenders and nuggets, too). As consumers, we vote with our wallets. If this chicken sandwich is going to donate even a small fraction of proceeds to an organization that works to undo the strides we've make toward marriage equality, established and potential customers alike are going to reconsider patronizing that store.
What could be an alternate crux of the conversation here is the fact that a multi-billion dollar company is thriving in New York City, filling the empty storefronts when mom-and-pop restaurant close down. Piepenbring mentions this tidbit closer to the end of the article, but to no avail. Not only do more Chick-Fil-As, McDonald's, KFCs and other fast food chains contribute to the rising rents of New York, they're also major proponents of factory farming—no matter how hard those cows try to convince you to eat more chicken.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, am I personally uncomfortable with Chick-Fil-A's capital-G God-loving vibe? Sure. On the other hand, am I also wary of bible scriptures printed on the bottom of every soda cup and fries container at In-N-Out? Yes, and I'll also have my cheeseburger animal-style, please. Perhaps the lesson here is for Chick-Fil-A to pull back on the agenda and focus on earnestly attracting non-religious liberals.