Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
In August 2012, thousands of Americans traveled to their local Chick-fil-A restaurants to participate in the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and the National Same Sex Kiss Day, two demonstrations designed to show support and opposition, respectively, to the company’s public endorsement of the “biblical definition of the family unit.” This essay draws upon Richard B. Gregg’s theory of the ego-function to analyze the important persuasive functions the protests served for the participants involved. An analysis of the messages shared among members in the groups’ respective Facebook pages shows that the participants promoted a message of victimage, virtuousness, importance, strength, and unity. The participants in both groups disputed their opponents’ claims that they were “haters” or “bigots,” and instead portrayed themselves as righteous ad-vocates for equality or freedom. The protests, then, not only functioned to show support for or anger at Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A. They also empowered the participants and enhanced the legitimacy and importance of their respective causes.
Recommended Citation
Weber, Jill M. "'Kissing for Equality' and 'Dining for Freedom': Analyzing the Ego-Function of the August 2012 Chick-fil-A Demonstrations." Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric 3.3/4 (2013): 30-45. Hollins Digital Commons. Web.
Included in
Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons
Comments
Originally published in the Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric, vol. 3, no. 3/4, 2013. Journal's site: http://contemporaryrhetoric.com/