When and How Advocacy Can Work

We all watched the headlines in late March and early April – the impending signing of two new laws in Arkansas and Indiana, that under the guise of “religious freedom,” poised a very serious risk to the rights and liberties of our LGBT populations.

Thankfully, advocates across both states and around the country were on top of it. Thankfully, there are people out there reading these laws carefully and getting the word out when something is wrong.  It makes me wonder about what gets passed without anyone noticing.

But, what was remarkable in this situation was that advocates weren’t alone in their outrage (as sometimes they seem to be).  Apple, Saleforce, Wal-mart, the N.C.A.A., N.B.A., N.F.L., and N.A.S.C.A.R. all came out publicly against the law.  Some even threatened business/financial consequences.

When you have Wal-mart and N.A.S.C.A.R. on the same side as social justice activists against your efforts, you know you are in trouble.

One of the most impressive corporate reactions came from Salesforce.  We learned a bit about the gumption behind Mr. Marc Benioff’s leadership as CEO of the company.  He threatened to reduce his company’s investment and presence in the state of Indiana if the law went further, and he called for other companies to do the same.

To me, this public advocacy is the idea of the “Global Citizen” in some of its best forms.  The eternal optimist in me envisions a world full of socially-conscious and socially-engaged corporations and businesses.  A society in which business leaders are constantly self-evaluating, not only on the profits they are bringing in, but also on the impact they are having and good they are doing in our deeply connected world.

Moments like this allow me to hold on to this belief.  Even if just for now.