Just outside the door of my husband's big corporate office building, Sonic recently built a restaurant. It's bright and busy and, though I've never eaten there, I imagine very tasty -- a fun place to take a break from corporate monotony. But Sonic's lunch customers might be buying more than a cheese coney and a cherry limeade. They might be helping someone get an abortion at Planned Parenthood.
A month or so ago my husband was leaving his office with a priest from a local parish. The priest commented on the Sonic -- how quick it had popped up or something like that -- and my husband mentioned that Sonic is on the Life Decisions International boycott list because of their support of Planned Parenthood. Doug said he thinks the priest was very surprised. But why? Obviously there are many corporations out there that support PP -- they are far too successful to be doing it all alone.
This post is not meant to make you feel guilty for eating lunch at Sonic, but I am reminding you that you never know if you are supporting the cause of "choice" if you don't become active in the fight against abortion. Ask questions of those corporations to which you give your money and investigate their answers. You can also subscribe to a boycott list like the one published at Life Decisions. Many companies have ceased their contributions to Planned Parenthood and other groups, like Susan G. Komen that funnel money to PP, because of boycotts. And if you are boycotting a corporation, let them know! Write them a letter. Tell their employees and store managers. Yes, you will feel like a rabble-rouser, but you are fighting for life! Just think about those unborn babies who have no voice of their own.
"The Pro-Life Movement will succeed only to the extent that pro-life people are willing to be inconvenienced."- Douglas R. Scott, Jr., Bad Choices: A Look Inside Planned Parenthood
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Oh no! And I love Sonic!
ReplyDeleteI knew about the Susan G. Komen thing--my mom even had breast cancer,but my brother, who's a marathon runner, won't do the Race for the Cure because of the PP stuff.
Will have to check out this list...
Here's the rub though...I'm a bit frustrated that this list is so guarded and private that I have to pay/ donate for it and then wait weeks to get it. Why couldn't there just be a very guarded online registry of sorts with e-mailed updates? I want to subscribe, but I found the process on the site so entangled it became down right daunting. I must have linked through 10 different pages, but never got to the part where I could actually order or access the list. I'm kind of tired of learning my favorite stores are supposed PP supporters, and feeling bad for shopping there when I had no way of knowing.
ReplyDeleteI did boycot Kraft for a long time cause someone told me they were PP supporters. But it seems they've only gotten stronger on the market shelves lately as many of my other brands that I fell to are disapearing. And how am I to know if they're still on the list?
Lucky for me we don't have sonic around here anyhow ;) Last time we ate there (well over a year ago) the burger was horrible, so I've not wanted to go back anyhow.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I would like Sonic, but I didn't try it before I knew.
AK,
I moved my boycott list to a spot that "I would be sure to remember" and now I can't find it, but I'm 99.99% sure Kraft is not on it. I would remember that one.
I agree that the "secrecy" of the list is mildly annoying, but I respect their right to protect what they work so hard to get (Here are their official reasons.) They are very tight -- on money and staff -- so they do things very low-budget, hence the no-so-up-to-date website. The page to order the list can be found here. I just sent in a check with my request and got my list a few weeks later. I get updates to it quarterly and a newsletter. We are "partners."
We purchased the list this past February and try to use it as much as we can. There are some products that you just can't get around (in some cases medications and medical supplies) but for the most part it hasn't been that hard to use.
ReplyDeleteI was sad to see Sonic on their list as we finally moved to a place that has a Sonic location. I love a certain drink of theirs but have now learned to make it at home as I won't go there. Plus side? I can make one for each family member and pay less then one at their store. :)
I get mine when I go to Pro-life conferences and then they're free for me (but then donate some to the group for it).
ReplyDeleteBut I make sure to have a list at least every two years.
I had no idea about Sonic. They just opened one right down the road from us, not far at all ... We've eaten there a couple times, but we decided that it is a bit expensive for a family of 7. Thanks for the reminder, Barbara, that we have to be active in this fight for life. I really, really like that quote, too.
ReplyDeleteKraft is not on the list.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, it's easier than it WAS to do boycotting, because there are very few "supermarket" type items on there. The only ones that are left are over-the-counter medications and magazines. This is where I have to be more vigilant about writing those letters. Companies DO listen.