BLM Masks At Whole Foods

[Revoltingest]

I think Whole Foods will lose on this one: Whole Foods already allows employees to wear clothing that is offensive to many customers. Its super liberal, super democrat and kind of witchy. I go in there and feel odd, because I'm clean cut. Its so California in there.

Not all offenses are equal in frequency & magnitude.
De minimis reactions like yours are far less likely to
lead to open hostility & assault.

Should Wholefoods win? No, I don't think so. Once the precedent is set, retailers in general will have to change on this. Customers like me will just have to get used to more noisome masks in stores and service stations.

And in answer to your question yes if this precedent is set we will be seeing Republican/Democrat masks in stores. Retailers will also find it yet another positive bullet point to add to their benefits list. "We allow our employees to express themselves politically (just like everyone else is and as required by recent legal precedent)."

A possible benefit to this is it may help unions which may help capitalism.

What'll happen when other employees wear
masks supporting MAGA, Nazi, KKK, etc?

 

[Revoltingest]

Well remember what people have said...

It's a prrtivvwwatte biissness, they can do whuuutevver they want becccsuuse the Constitution duuseent appplyyy!!!

I've had to limit employee speech, not only because
some of it would offend tenants, but some of it was
illegal because of fair housing laws.

 

[George-ananda]

Seems like a simple case of not allowing political messages in the workplace. I support Whole Foods. They will alienate customers and co-workers of differing political opinions.

MAGA hats? No, also.

 

[Suave]

What'll happen when other employees wear
masks supporting MAGA, Nazi, KKK, etc?

I can't speak for others, but I would most certainly boycott any store allowing pro fascists or racists to work there.

 

[Revoltingest]

I can't speak for others, but I would most certainly boycott any store allowing pro fascists or racists to work there.

Well, if government requires companies to allow
employees to express such views, you might
be boycotting many stores.

 

[Brickjectivity]

What'll happen when other employees wear
masks supporting MAGA, Nazi, KKK, etc?

KKK and Nazi symbols can be interpreted as physical threats, so after some court process employers will be allowed to exclude them.

MAGA will be permitted since it doesn't have the history of those two. Its not got a great rep, but its not like MAGA has a history of decimation. Unless it is perceived as a physical threat it would probably be permitted under common rules somewhat like BLM.

Also employees might start wearing teamsters masks.

I am not a lawyer.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

So people prefer....racist messages? How is "Black Lives Matter" even controversial?

The difficulty is differentiating between "black lives matter" the statement and "Black Lives Matter" the organization which has political connotations not everyone might agree with.

I tend to side with assuming the statement, which shouldn't be controversial but is, cause racism.

 

[Suave]

The store wouldn't be able to decide
which message masks it can prohibit.

Could not Whole Foods work around that by requiring each of their store employees wear a mask that is color coordinated with the rest of their black and white work uniforms.? Hence, the BLM masks that are typically black and white being color coordinated with the corporate themed colors would be allowed. Whereas, MAGA masks that are typically red in contrast to the corporate themed colors would not be allowed?

 

[SomeRandom]

Well remember what people have said...

It's a prrtivvwwatte biissness, they can do whuuutevver they want becccsuuse the Constitution duuseent appplyyy!!!

As much as I hate siding with corporations, they are in the right in this case. Though I’ll admit to not fully understanding the ins and outs of US laws regarding free speech.
If I’m on the clock I’m a representative of my employer so I must abide by their rules.
I can’t be wearing material that is incongruent with their public persona. Though in my free time I can wear whatever I damn well please.

 

[Suave]

Well, if government requires companies to allow
employees to express such views, you might
be boycotting many stores.

Well then, I would just have to order on Amazon more often..

 

[Revoltingest]

KKK and Nazi symbols can be interpreted as physical threats, so after some court process employers will be allowed to exclude them.

I note the "can be" qualifier. You have a problem there.
Are you familiar with "auditors", ie, people who intentionally
do things that provoke others, but are constitutionally
protected, eg, recording police encounters, open carry?
Many are designed to provoke. Cops try to treat these
acts as "disturbing the peace", but provocation alone
has been found to be a poor basis in court.
To claim a symbol is a physical threat is unreasonable.

MAGA will be permitted since it doesn't have the history of those two. Its not got a great rep, but its not like MAGA has a history of decimation. Unless it is perceived as a physical threat it would probably be permitted under common rules somewhat like BLM.

Also employees might start wearing teamsters masks.

I am not a lawyer.

MAGA hats do provoke hostilities.
And if they proliferate, it could certainly interfere
with business. I can imagine an auditor wearing
a Confederate flag to test the store, co-workers,
& the cops.
Violence against Trump Supports and MAGA Hat Wearers Continues | National Review

 

[Revoltingest]

Could not Whole Foods work around that by requiring each of their store employees wear a mask that is color coordinated with the rest of their black and white work uniforms.? Hence, the BLM masks that are typically black and white being color coordinated with the corporate themed colors would be allowed. Whereas, MAGA masks that are typically red in contrast to the corporate themed colors would not be allowed?

To design a policy to subvert the
intent of law fares poorly in court.

 

[Revoltingest]

Well then, I would just have to order on Amazon more often..

What if Amazon drivers start wearing KKK hats?

 

[Twilight Hue]

As much as I hate siding with corporations, they are in the right in this case. Though I’ll admit to not fully understanding the ins and outs of US laws regarding free speech.
If I’m on the clock I’m a representative of my employer so I must abide by their rules.
I can’t be wearing material that is incongruent with their public persona. Though in my free time I can wear whatever I damn well please.

I just have more respect for companies that recognize the freedoms we are supposed to have and honor them.

I do understand house rules as well and as long as they are reasonable in their own way I can tolerate such rules.

 

[Twilight Hue]

What if Amazon drivers start wearing KKK hats?

They already do.

Look at how they treat their slave workers.

 

[Revoltingest]

They already do.

Look at how they treat their slave workers.

I've yet to see a KKK has, so I'm skeptical.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can't speak for others, but I would most certainly boycott any store allowing pro fascists or racists to work there.

The general rule in America is if you allow for one you have to allow for all. If they allow a BLM mask then it goes out of their hands and they must allow employees to wear MAGA masks.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I've yet to see a KKK has, so I'm skeptical.

They had to ditch it.

Slavery is equal opportunity now.

 

[SomeRandom]

I just have more respect for companies that recognize the freedoms we are supposed to have and honor them.

I do understand house rules as well and as long as they are reasonable in their own way I can tolerate such rules.

As do I.
But I don’t expect a lot from big corporations. Some lip service to freedoms and maybe some eye roll inducing virtue signalling to their customer base. (Both sides.)

Honestly I have far more respect for the unions. At least the ones that try to fight for worker rights

 

[Suave]

What if Amazon drivers start wearing KKK hats?

Firstly, I would sell my share of Amazon stock. Secondly, I would point out the racist drivers to all my fellow BLM comrades who would make the Amazon drivers pay a heft price for daring to wear white supremacist crap in our neighborhood. Finally, I would have to shop or order delivery online from non-racist local businesses.