Russell Simmons, a ‘hip-hop mogul’ is apparently incensed that Lowe’s has decided to pull its advertising dollars from a show called ‘All-American Muslim’. “There are American principles at stake here.” Mr. Simmons cries to the world.
Actually he’s kind of right, there is one American principle at stake here. Freedom. In this case, the freedom to put your money (or your corporation’s money) where you best see fit. It’s un-American to try to force someone into adopting your viewpoint–the basis of freedom, after all, are freedom of thought and freedom of conscience. Also, Mr. Simmons doesn’t realize that not monetarily supporting something does not equal discrimination towards a particular cause. He’s also rather myopic in his viewpoint.
Just as Jay-Z can make money from appropriating the slogan for a cause and NOT give any of that money to that cause, Lowe’s can put its money where it wants. Mr. Simmons is free to make up those advertising dollars by putting his considerable fortune made through Def Jam into play, but I doubt he will.
For myself, my next home improvement purchases will be at Lowe’s.
ETA: I just read this over at Popehat and Ken does have a point. Lowe’s caved to one special interest group in pulling its ads from this show. That said, while the Florida Family Association takes things to the next illogical level, Dearborn, Michigan (where the television show takes place) is the hub of Muslim activity in the United States and there are allegations that Shariah law is becoming preeminent there.
Regardless of all of that, Lowe’s can still put its money where it will, and I’ll still be making my next home improvement purchase there.
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