Week 7: Cultural Differences
Discuss Cultural Differences
Instructions
This week, we will look at the ethical obligations of businesses in the context of contemporary social issues. Consider the context of Pride. Pride is the global celebration of LGBTQA+ people and identity politics. LGBTQA+ is usually defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and asexual. The + signifies that the movement is not limited to people who identify themselves using these terms. In addition to this sociopolitical statement, Pride has also become big business for nonprofit and for-profit companies alike. In recent years, companies ranging from MAC Cosmetics to Target to Alaska Airlines (and countless others across all business sectors) have launched campaigns to support Pride celebrations and market their products and services. This week, we will discuss the ethical implications of participation in these campaigns.
How are we to judge whether a company's latching onto Pride events to boost its own public image and profits is ethical or not? Some Pride supporters and organizers feel that businesses who have historically ignored the LGBTQA+ community are now trying to cash in on the politics of struggles of LGBTQA+ people. On the other hand, businesses also make the case for support and equality. They believe that corporate sponsorship of Pride events and the increase in Pride-related merchandise in stores help promote visibility of LGBTQA+ people and the sociopolitical causes of the community.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not want to use Pride / LGBTQA+ as the organization you are being asked to support, just choose any other organization such as a religious organization, PETA, Feed the World, etc. For purposes of this discussion, assume one of the following roles, and tell us how you would approach participating in a Pride event in your community:
Owner of a gay bar
CEO of a major tech company
Soft drink marketer
Employee in an insurance office.