This one is trickier than Target and Urban Outfitters.
Sometimes “voting with your dollars” can be a lot more complicated than regular voting.
Friday, NY Mag pointed out that Blake Mycoskie, founder of altruistic shoe brand “Toms,” recently supported Focus on the Family— a far-right, religious non-profit which condemns gay marriage and abortion.
This news may be disappointing to hundreds of thousands of Toms’ customers who bought the shoes thinking the company’s values were aligned with their own.
Toms, which makes funky, earthy slip-ons which go for about $44, became famous for their charitable business model: for every pair of shoes bought by customers, Mycoskie donates another pair to a needy child somewhere in the world. This “one-for-one” program has provided well over 1,000,000 impoverished children with new shoes.
For those kids, this is a big deal. In countries like Uganda and Zambia, for many, foot protection is a luxury. Toms helps children keep their feet safe from cuts and infection, and enables them to do basic, essential activities that we take for granted like walking to school. You can be cynical and say Toms is just doing it for brand but no matter how you spin it, the company makes a huge difference in the lives of some very needy kids.
That’s why buying Toms feels good. It’s also why Mycoskie’s involvement in Focus on the Family is disappointing for customers who are also passionate about gay and reproductive rights.
For more on Focus on the Family see their website. Their position on abortion states, “Focus on the Family opposes abortion under all circumstances, except in the rare instance when the mother’s life is threatened by continuing the pregnancy.” That includes instances of rape and incest.
They also strongly oppose gay marriage. The Federal Marriage Amendment Wikipedia page quotes Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who believes that because of gays, marriage “…is about to descend into a state of turmoil unlike any other in human history.”
Choosing a political candidate isn’t hard. They package themselves with easy-to-understand slogans and remain in our faces all day long. (Obama: healthcare and change; Bachmann: anti-abortion and God.)
Companies on the other hand—where votes actually matter— are in our face doing something else: selling us a product and lifestyle, such as shoes that tell people we care about global issues. To vote well, consumers have to research and educate themselves about the companies they shop from.
That’s why Toms is complicated. If people stop buying their footwear, a bunch of kids who need shoes won’t get them from Toms. Yet if they continue, they’re indirectly endorsing—or at least condoning—Toms’ opposition to basic rights for gays and women.
Customers of Toms who believe in voting with their dollars are now asking: What’s more important, gay and reproductive rights or clothing for impoverished children?
For me, this wasn’t that easy to answer, mostly because there are so few brands which even attempt to do what Toms does. If anything, Toms’ altruistic business model mixed with anti-gay and women’s rights political support illustrates just how much care and energy “voting with your dollars” can take.
(Update: Yesterday, Mycoskie responded to the growing criticism over his support for “Focus on the Family” in a statement to Change.org. “Had I known the full extent of Focus on the Family’s beliefs, I would not have accepted the invitation to speak at their event,” the statement said. “It was an oversight on my part and the company’s part and one we regret. In the last 18 months we have presented at over 70 different engagements and we do our best to make sure we choose our engagements wisely, on this one we chose poorly.” Read it here in full.)
July 10, 2011 at 4:36 pm, Dr. Brent Zenobia said:
It’s not that complicated. Organizations have long brandished their charitable work as a get-out-of-jail-free card to excuse their less savory practices. For example, the Black Panthers provided valuable assistance to their local communities even while they threatened to use violence to achieve their political goals. Back in my college days some of my gay friends were bashed by fraternity members who would then turn around and boast about all the money they raised for worthy charities. Feh.
July 10, 2011 at 4:42 pm, Anonymous said:
http://news.change.org/stories/breaking-toms-shoes-founder-expresses-regret-says-focus-on-the-family-misrepresented-relationshi
He clarifies his position here.
July 10, 2011 at 9:54 pm, Mother of Invention said:
Mycoskie can respond to criticism, but the fact remains: Even in Haiti, where Toms has delivered thousands of pairs of shoes, the company partners with Christian fundamentalists to get the job done. Not independently, or with a secular group, but one that chastises Haitians for not being married and for terminating unwanted pregnancies. Yes, the shoes are necessary; however, the proselytizing that comes with them is egotistical and tasteless.
July 10, 2011 at 7:40 pm, Rob said:
How could they not know who Focus on the Family is? He has hundreds of people working for him who vette these appearances. Surely someone in his camp new who FOTF are.
July 11, 2011 at 12:23 am, Typical American said:
What a load of crap! I support Focus on the Family and their beliefs.
No one is anti-repoductive rights, it just happens that some of us don’t think it is ok to kill babies even if they have the poor timing to still be in the womb.
Thanks for clarifying your position Mr. Mycoskie. Rest assured you have seen my last dollar…ever. Way to roll over like a sissy-boy.
There are too many groups that do good without being anti-traditional marriage, pro-abortion, etc.
Sincerely from a:
Pro-life, pro-traditional marriage American.
July 11, 2011 at 11:19 pm, TypicalAmerican2 said:
I could not agree more with you Typical. That is the first thing I thought as well. They will lose more business by wimping out like he did than he would from the Gay people. Happy to share your name.
July 12, 2011 at 2:30 am, Dr. Brent Zenobia said:
Hey, you two lovebirds can soon get married in New York. You won’t even have to alter your last names.
July 30, 2011 at 12:39 am, Elquberto said:
I’m linking to a post from Mr. Mycoskie’s blog in order to provide another perspective that the above D&T article is sorely missing. So many people want to make issues out of things that are not really issues. Mr. Mycoskie has apologized for doing the speech with FOTF. That should be enough. He shouldn’t have to bear the weight of everything that the FOTF organization does or has done. His organization is not overtly political or religious in any way. They provide shoes for destitute children! It’s a fantastic business model! The reality is that large Christian groups pervade places where destitution exists. As a business/organization like Tom’s does a lot of work in those places, it’s only natural that they should cross paths with groups like FOTF. Why wouldn’t Mr. Mycoskie want to spread his ideas…? yes even to Christians (GASP!)? I happen to not be a Christian nor do I in any way support FOTF (nor do I work for or know anybody that work’s for Tom’s), but I do recognize that people who are completely inflexible with who they work or speak to, generally limit the possible good they can do. It’s fine that Mr. Mycoskie should know what type of people butter his bread and allow him to do what he does, but people should also keep things in perspective as well. Tom’s is not, in and of itself, a political organization. They are, in fact, a business that actually does a lot of good as a part of their business model. Businesses that sell things tend to be more successful when they are generally apolitical (unless you are in the business of politics like Fox News or MSNBC). But for those clamoring to know why Mr. Mycoskie hasn’t overtly said “I support gay rights”, it may be because he has to weigh the good with the bad. If he did, it might limit the good he could do in the places where shoes are needed the most. Maybe you would agree with that and maybe you don’t. I’m just trying to offer more perspective than this pathetic D&T article attempts. With a provocative title like “Is Tom’s shoes ANTI-GAY?”, what else should I have expected? All that does is possibly take shoes off some poor kids feet as some hipster who doesn’t bother to do his own research will go off to his hipster friends and say “Oh Tom’s isn’t cool anymore, haven’t you heard? They are anti-gay”. Keep buying Tom’s shoes and accept the shades of grey in the world.
http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/2011/07/a-sincere-apology-an-additional-note/
Dear TOMS Community:These past few weeks have been some of the most difficult of my life. I have found myself in the middle of an issues debate, which is so far from the dream I had for TOMS when I started it 5 years ago. From day one, TOMS has been about bringing people together to serve those in need. One of the things I am most proud of is that while our community is so diverse, they all are linked by their desire to make the world a better place. As a result of all that has happened to divide us recently, I have decided to provide one additional note about the circumstances that led to this unfortunate situation, but hope that you do not lose sight of our original dream.When I accept an invitation for a public speaking engagement, my purpose is to share the TOMS story and our giving mission. In no way do I believe that this means I endorse every single aspect of the organization I am speaking to. That may be naïve, and you may disagree, but it is my sincere belief.TOMS and I have made mistakes internally and externally over the past several weeks, and I am deeply sorry for letting you down. We have learned a lot and are taking steps so that they do not happen again. I regret that I, and many of you, have been pulled into this issues debate as a result – which was never our intention. However, my biggest regret is that the controversy has disrupted our effort to convene people of good will around our similarities rather than our differences, so that we can join together in serving those in the greatest need while inspiring others to do the same.This is the vision upon which I founded TOMS, and it is the mission I am committed to today. My sincere hope is that you will continue with TOMS in that effort. Most sincerely and respectfully,Blake
August 29, 2011 at 3:54 pm, Mirabel said:
Anti gay and anti-women is not a shade of grey. It’s blatant bigotry.
July 30, 2011 at 3:39 am, D. said:
Why do people act like it’s so shocking that someone who is pro-life would still be so in cases of rape/incest? If you believe that a fetus is a human life and abortion is murder then it is still murder even if the child was conceived through rape. Being raped doesn’t entitle you to one free baby murder.
July 30, 2011 at 3:39 am, D. said:
Why do people act like it’s so shocking that someone who is pro-life would still be so in cases of rape/incest? If you believe that a fetus is a human life and abortion is murder then it is still murder even if the child was conceived through rape. Being raped doesn’t entitle you to one free baby murder.
August 29, 2011 at 3:56 pm, Mirabel said:
How very humane of you. Victimize the victim a little more. Her suffering is never ending. Wow! Your life-affirming compassion is truly…..insufferable.
June 24, 2012 at 12:02 am, Erin Constance said:
A great article for introducing the concept – vote with your dollars! Urban Outfiters, Chick-fila… Be informed – know what your money is supporting
July 30, 2012 at 6:40 pm, Rosie Kwall said:
hmmmmmm…..
August 21, 2012 at 3:10 pm, Paola Cevallos said:
Stupid. Gays make such a big deal about everything. Its a democratic country, christians can say what they want too. Gays don't own the world.