Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Claiming to want to stamp out hate in the U.S. as displayed in the Neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Apple, Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook announced plans to donate $1 million to the pro-abortion Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the same organization whose misguided “hate group” labels placed on innocent conservative groups have caused devastating consequences.
LifeNews.com is reporting on the outrageously ill-advised announcement by Apple to support the SPLC after the events in Charlottesville earlier this month. In a memo to employees, Cook called the events “repulsive” and voiced disagreement with President Donald J. Trump and others who see a moral equivalence between white supremacists and far-left groups such as Antifa that are well-known for their violent efforts to shut down free speech.
“Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans,” Mr. Cook wrote in the email last week. “What occurred in Charlottesville has no place in our country. We must not witness or permit such hate and bigotry in our country, and we must be unequivocal about it. This is not about the left or the right, conservative or liberal. It is about human decency and morality.”
The memo went on to say that Apple will contribute $1 million each to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). It will also match employee contributions 2-for-1 to those organizations and other human rights groups through next month, and will enable iTunes customers to join in contributing to the SPLC.
While Mr. Cook has every right to voice his opinion of what happened in Charlottesville and his interpretation of what the President had to say about it, donating to a group whose “hate map” has caused violence in the past is hardly a coherent reaction. The SPLC may not be selling hate at the same level as white supremacists, but it’s reckless labeling of innocent conservative groups simply because they support traditional marriage is certainly not the mark of an honorable organization.
For example, in 2012, Floyd Lee Corkins entered the offices of the Family Research Council (FRC), armed with a semi-automatic pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition. He started firing at the building manager, Leo Johnson, who successfully stifled the gunman even after a gunshot shattered his arm. During interviews with the FBI, Corkins admitted he took his inspiration from the SPLC’s hate map.
The SPLC has also listed prestigious law centers such as Alliance Defending Freedom and Liberty Council as hate groups simply because they defend Christian bakers and photographers who do not wish to be pressured into serving same-sex marriages.
To include these organizations on the same map with white supremacist groups is not only illogical, it’s intellectually dishonest – and dangerous.
“The SPLC’s reckless labeling has led to devastating consequences,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. “Because of its ‘hate group’ labeling, a deadly terrorist had a guidemap to FRC and other organizations. Our team is still dealing with the fallout of the attack, that was intended to have a chilling effect on organizations that are simply fighting for their values.”
He added: “The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has now been linked to domestic terrorism in federal court, should put an immediate stop to its practice of labeling organizations that oppose their [agenda].”
Unfortunately, J.P. Morgan Chase has also just announced plans to donate $1 million to the SPLC and the Anti-Defamation League in the wake of Charlottesville, citing a need to fund the organization which they erroneously claim to be devoted to “tracking, exposing and fighting hate groups and other extremist organizations across the country.”
If only this were true!
As Mat Staver, founder and president of Liberty Counsel said, the SPLC is in the business of false labeling which is defamatory and dangerous.
“Moreover, this false label is exploiting a serious situation to push a self-interested political agenda. This must stop! We need to come together to speak against hatred and violence. I urge everyone to pray for the healing of our nation.”
If we’re going to fight the evil of hatred, let’s fight it all, not just some of it.
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