Goodyear Responds After Photo Surfaces Of Policy Allowing BLM and LBGTQ+ Speech, But Restricting Pro Police and MAGA Speech [Opinion]

An uproar has erupted over Goodyear’s alleged policy regarding what is acceptable speech and what is not.

13 News is reporting that Goodyear has outlined what is acceptable speech and what is not. Basically, liberal speech is acceptable, while conservative speech, is not.

A Goodyear employee says the company has put out a new policy that has some calling it not equal for all.

A photo seen circulating on social media shows a slide that was presented during a diversity training showing what’s acceptable and what isn’t acceptable as part of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s zero-tolerance policy.

Under acceptable: Black Lives Matter (BLM), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride.

Listed as unacceptable: Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, MAGA Attire, Political Affiliated Slogans or Material.

If this is true, it is quite hilarious that Goodyear does not recognize that BLM and LGBTQ+ IS politically affiliated. Who are they kidding? Do they think people are dumb? Goodyear is not ignorant to the fact that this is ENTIRELY political.

President Trump did not take too kindly to the reported policy and drew a line in the sand. Unfortunately, this stance would hurt an American company with many American workers.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1296092859226042368?s=20

According to the employee who took the photo of the slide, it was presented at the Topeka plant by an area manager and says the slide came from their corporate office out of Akron, Ohio.

“If someone wants to wear a BLM shirt in here, then cool. I’m not going to get offended about it. But at the same time, if someone’s not going to be able to wear something that is politically based, even in the farthest stretch of the imagination, that’s discriminatory,” said the employee under the agreement of anonymity due to fears they could lose their job. “If we’re talking about equality, then it needs to be equality. If not, it’s discrimination.”

This is just wrong. It would be nice if companies would stay out of politics and just stay focused on whatever business they are in. In this case, can Goodyear just stay focused on making safe, quality tires?

I was at my local Office Depot a couple of weeks ago and noticed an employee wearing a Trump MAGA gaiter. I was stunned. I told him that although I liked his gaiter, I was surprised he was allowed to wear it. Frankly, this is just dumb business on the part of Office Depot. Why tick off half your customers?

GOODYEAR ISSUES STATEMENT

Goodyear has issued a statement in which they state the slide was not issued by corporate or a part of their diversity training. However, they wanted to give “important context to the visual.” Confused yet? I sure am.

Yesterday, Goodyear became the focus of a conversation that created some misconceptions about our policies and our company. Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so. pic.twitter.com/oO6jUg2rTR

— Goodyear (@goodyear) August 19, 2020

It is interesting to note that Goodyear did not say the slide was fake or give its source. Was it issued by a local office? Who knows? Based on their statement, Goodyear admits that employees cannot express political beliefs or “similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues.”

So, racial justice (BLM) and equity issues (LGBTQ+) are okay to express. In other words, THE SLIDE IS LEGIT, regardless of who within Goodyear issued it.

I’m not big on boycotts. I’m going to buy the best tire I can for my budget. Plus, it’s become increasingly evident that if I were to boycott all liberal corporations I would have very few places to buy goods and services from or eat out. That said, if there is a competitive option that doesn’t push a liberal political agenda, I will make sure to patronize that business.

Deservedly, Goodyear is getting raked over the coals

https://twitter.com/sharylattkisson/status/1296154314143080458?s=21

Spineless corporations can bow down to the radical mob and silence our voices, but standing with @realDonaldTrump and law enforcement won’t tire us out.

Goodbye Goodyear 👋🏻

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) August 19, 2020

Hey Goodyear, if you have nothing to hide, why are you BLOCKING everyone from responding to your new statement??https://t.co/vLZuHBeWL8

— Wayne Dupree Media, LLC ⭐️ (@WayneDupreeShow) August 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/1296124415743320066?s=20

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