A group of Michigan Atheists met in front of Southfield Shopping Center on Southfield Rd yesterday to picket Payless Shoe Source for using Star Jones as their spokesperson. Carrying signs with statements like, "Payless pays a bigot", "Payless attention to Star Jones", "Teach Tolerance", and "Give Star Jones the boot", the group braved the threat of rain and displayed their signs to a busy rush hour crowd.
One sign, made and held by Bradley Sampeer, had a picture of Abraham Lincoln and a Presidential Seal on one side, with the caption: "Would you vote for this Atheist for Presdent?"
With the traffic lights in front of the shopping center entrance, a flood of motorists were able to get a good look at the signs. The Atheists received varied reactions, from rude finger gestures and shaking fists to honking of horns and thumbs-up signs. However, the positive attention far outweighed the negative, and an even greater number simply read the signs and drove on.
After picketing, the group walked through the parking lot to Payless Shoe Source, where Arlene-Marie entered, introduced herself, informed the clerk of the picket (the manager was not present, according to the clerk), and dropped off a copy of her press release and an explanation of the protest.
Star Jones, who appears on the talk show "The View", has stated that she would never vote for an Atheist for President (regardless of qualifications), and that she might allow an Atheist to baby-sit her children, but she would never vote for one. The Anti-Discrimination Support Network picked up on the discriminatory remarks and launched a protest campaign against Payless for using a bigot as their spokesperson.
AM I ANNOYING.COM: A SIDE NOTE
Am I Annoying.com, a website that is dedicated to polling visitors on whether or not celebrities are annoying, rates Star Jones at 82.14% annoying. While the poll is unscientific, it may be relevant to point out that Jones was rated slightly more annoying than the IRS. At risk of making the poll a bit biased, readers can visit this site at http://www.amiannoying.com.
TopWhy protest Star Jones and her position as the Payless spokesperson? What does it have to do with the First Amendment, and, more specifically, the Establishment Clause?
First of all, rampant bigotry against Atheists makes it more difficult to publicly state our position on state/church separation and fight our battles in the public square, in the legislatures, and in courts. Bigots reach all areas of private and public life, and their actions reflect their intolerance. When someone is allowed to publicly say that Atheists are fine as servants (Star Jones said that we may baby-sit her children), but not as politicians (Star Jones said that no Atheist would get her vote), there should be public outcry. The bigotry must be exposed for what it is. Although hate speech is protected under the First Amendment, we must use our First Amendment rights to fight it and teach tolerance.
Secondly, a national corporation that uses a bigot as its spokesperson must receive an education on what constitutes ethical business practice. Using Star Jones as the ambassador for Payless may be perceived as a position of intolerance toward Atheists, and no company needs this type of publicity. The fact that Payless has not responded to letters and e-mails they have received on this subject does nothing to elevate my opinion of them.
I joined the protest in front of Southfield Shopping Center to try to help educate the public on tolerance, to fight for an end to dicrimination toward Atheists, and to try and educate a corporation on the bigotry of their spokesperson. The lack of media turnout was disappointing, but hundreds of drivers on Southfield Road saw what we were doing. Word of mouth can travel very fast. We will be protesting again, and more people will see us, even if the media pays no attention. With persistence, we can create a grassroots campaign to teach tolerance and end discrimination toward Atheists--with or without the help of the media.
TopPack your picnic basket with fried chicken, potato salad, veggies, develed eggs, fruit, sandwiches, chips, cupcakes, or whatever. Bring your day's eats and something to share. We will provide cups, plates, napkins, and forks. NOTE: grills are not available. Other things you might want to bring include: jacket, baseball stuff, cards, lawn games, board games, lawn chair, and maybe an umbrella if it looks like rain (we have a pavilion reserved). Don't forget your kids, dogs, and friends.
Plan to stay into the evening. We'll have plenty of daylight. Join us rain or shine!
When: Sunday, June 16 at Noon.
Where: Tattan Park, Westland (Pavilion #2)
South of Ford Rd, North of Cherry Hill, East of Newburgh Rd, West of Wayne Rd. Take Carlson/Central City Parkway to the site. It is near City Hall.
Need further info? Call Arlene at 313-388-9594, or e-mail her at amarie@atheists.org.
TopThe Michigan Atheists Newsletter is an electronic publication containing news about separation of state and church, the events of Michigan Atheists, and the civil rights of Michigan's godless citizens. All content of the newsletter is the intellectual property of Greg Reich and Michigan Atheists, unless otherwise credited.
If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please send e-mail to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
If you have received this newsletter in error, please send e-mail to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you have any news ideas, opinions, or articles to submit, please send them to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net. Please remember that all content must be relevant to separation of state and church issues or the civil rights of Atheists and other godless citizens in Michigan.
Top