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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCostco Bans Employees From Wearing Masks That Say Black Lives Matter, Because It Is 'Political'
As Black people have long known, the idea that Black lives matter is still not a given to everyoneand is actually up for debate in some circleswhich is what inspired the simple yet powerful affirmation in the first place.
Costco is the latest business to betray its discomfort with the idea, with store managers in Louisville, Chicago, Delaware, and New Jersey sending several employees home for wearing masks that read Black Lives Matter, according to a Buzzfeed News report.
Employees at Costco say the big-box business is making a clear choice by penalizing workers who show they believe Black lives matter, since the store has allowed workers to wear masks showing everything from the Pride flag to the Blue Lives Matter version of the American flag for months.
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According to Buzzfeed, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek met with disgruntled employees to talk about the stores apparent policy against Black Lives Matter apparel, after a Black worker posted a scathing resignation letter on Facebook that called the company out for believing he is essential enough to risk my life, but not essential enough to stand against my death.
Must Read: https://www.theroot.com/costco-bans-employees-from-wearing-masks-that-say-black-1844354715
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Costco just took a nose dive, IMHO.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Do they realize that Blue lives matter was a reactionary action against the statement that Black lives matter?
Yes, this doesnt put the company in a good light.
pnwmom
(109,020 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Personally, I think that it is a really bad idea to allow religious or group affinity identification on the job. Many companies do, but I never have and never will. I do believe in busting the heads of anyone that discriminate, that simply is something that should not be tolerated in any business.
superpatriotman
(6,253 posts)Its written in an article on the Root with reference to a Buzzfeed article, with no proof.
Costco is a great progressive company in a world where that is very rare.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)the other cant rightfully be prevented, if fairness is the objective.
Personally, I dont allow any identity affiliations, I think that has the potential to distract from the basic mission of selling products that are useful to customers. Discrimination in any form is also a no-no.
Blue_playwright
(1,568 posts)...on the right side of history.
dem4decades
(11,312 posts)BGBD
(3,282 posts)Call their bluff. They're not about to fire anyone for it, they know better.
Hekate
(90,927 posts)There isn't a manager in the whole system that is going to fire them for it and if there is there isn't a manager above that person who will let it stand.
They know the heat that would come down on them for doing something like that. I don't think Costco is looking for a BLM protest to set up in every parking lot they have across the country over the mask an employee chooses to wear.
gulliver
(13,197 posts)I don't care what the cause. We don't need anything on the masks that might turn people against wearing them.
Americans are stressed to the max right now. No need to add fuel to the fire. But Costco should provide employees masks, that way you remove this issue completely.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Making masks political is self-defeating.
Talitha
(6,634 posts)PatSeg
(47,691 posts)Employers have the right to establish certain dress codes and it is appropriate to keep politics outside of the workplace. If people want to wear such masks to a protest march, that is a different story, but it doesn't belong at work. Any employee should not be surprised by this.
Meanwhile from all I hear, Costco is an excellent employer and their requirement seems reasonable.
Sunsky
(1,737 posts)It does. This is bs. If your feelings are hurt because a human being is fighting to make his or her life count, then fck your feelings and fck Costco.
Just as any fashion item, masks have become a way for people to express their individuality, from the type of mask they wear to the color and patterns. Most of my masks match the clothes I wear. I have a friend who makes them for me and I just love to coordinate, that may not be your thing and that's your choice.
LeftInTX
(25,677 posts)We have alot of political masks here.
I refuse to politicize masks. It's a science thing.
msongs
(67,465 posts)I can understand they don't want political arguments at work, but then be even handed. But your solution deals with it better. And customers can tell who works there.
samnsara
(17,654 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Dem2
(8,168 posts)Especially now now when everyone is on edge.
Chemisse
(30,820 posts)Which of course means 'blue lives matter' and others should not have been allowed either.
pnwmom
(109,020 posts)they'd have to say yes to All Lives Matter,.
pnwmom
(109,020 posts)whole chain?
Chemisse
(30,820 posts)samnsara
(17,654 posts)SMC22307
(8,090 posts)obamanut2012
(26,165 posts)Response to sheshe2 (Original post)
vsrazdem This message was self-deleted by its author.
AlexSFCA
(6,139 posts)also, black lives matter shouldnt be political during black history month. I think those should be common sense exceptions. But I can also understand that in some areas, a worker can get shot dead by a customer for wearing something like that.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)My masks are standard surgical masks. Politics can stay out of health care.
Chemisse
(30,820 posts)Because if you're okay with that, you have to also accept store workers running around with all sorts of hateful RW messages on their masks.
Maraya1969
(22,509 posts)as it is we don't need more fight fights for crying out loud.
It is a business.
sheshe2
(83,985 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Takket
(21,656 posts)Buckeye_Democrat
(14,858 posts)Most businesses have dress codes.
I wore a shirt to work that said, "You cannot serve both God and money," and I was told by management to change shirts or wear it inside out. I complied.
I'm not religious at all, but my boss was one of those money-obsessed "Christians" and I wondered how he'd react. As I expected, he didn't like it. I also knew that we weren't supposed to wear clothing with messages, so I was ready with a spare shirt.
LeftInTX
(25,677 posts)Initech
(100,118 posts)That would make it easier and fair.
EqualityNow
(32 posts)One of the few places I can go to here in West Houston and KNOW that mask rules will be enforced.
Was a leader in ensuring numbers in the store and social distancing was followed.
Reputation for good pay and treating employees well.
Going to have to find an alternative if they don't get their heads out of their asses on this though. Non-negotiable. BLM is only "political" because those who either oppose or want to marginalize it make it "political". It's a matter of morals, a matter right and wrong.
Both "blue lives matter" and "all lives matter" bullshit is about marginalizing BLM, because when a "blue" life is lost, there is no expense spared in hunting down and prosecuting the person('s) responsible. Blue lives aren't shooting "all" lives for just walking with a hoodie though their own neighborhood, or incarcerating "all" lives at disproportionate rates for the same crimes, or kneeling on the neck and back and murdering "all" lives for a call in on a counterfeit bill.
For me, this ones going to hurt, but f'em. I will not support a business that terminates employees for expressing support for BLM.
EqualityNow
(32 posts)Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)or they sell ones with the store logo on it for a couple bucks with the proceeds going to the fund which pays for events for employees like the summer cook out, etc.
Seems fair to me.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Making masks political,is counter productive.
marmar
(77,106 posts).... 'cause you know the kind of reaction a BLM mask will cause among some customers. For the sake of keeping things calm in the store, and frankly, for the safety of the employees, it makes sense.
Bettie
(16,138 posts)to simply issue masks for wearing at work, either with a logo or just plain.
Or perhaps to say only plain colored masks may be worn.
Tom Rinaldo
(22,918 posts)than Yellow Ribbons, Support Our Troops, Gay Pride, or calls for embracing Recycling. It is less political that Blue Lives Matter. Unless Costco bans all social commentary, they have no basis to single out Black Lives Matter.
MineralMan
(146,341 posts)At the company's expense. Make them part of the company's uniform.
Politics and religion have no place in the work environment, in my opinion. Both are bad for business, generally.
That's my opinion on this. Yours might be different.
Sunsky
(1,737 posts)Black lives matter is not a political statement. They have lost one customer.
madville
(7,413 posts)Prohibit all messaging of any kind on clothes, face masks, etc.