Paypal says goodbye to the most racist state in the Union

[tazber]

Excuse us, we're just gonna go help someone else's economy.

[madbrian]

Well done!  I hope others follow.

 

By the way, we have cancelled our personal travel plans to NC for this summer.  It's nothing compared to the impact that big business has, but we're doing what we can.

[adamgreer]

Bruce Springsteen canceled his upcoming show in North Carolina:

 

A STATEMENT FROM BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ON NORTH CAROLINA
As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.

[yankeefan7]

Before everyone glorifies PayPal, they might want to read below and consider another company to praise regarding this issue. See below.

 

"But PayPal’s values didn’t keep the company from opening and maintaining a global operations center in Malaysia, where homosexual acts are punishable by public lashings and jail sentences up to 20 years.

According to Schulman, PayPal’s decision to kill 400 jobs “reflects PayPal’s deepest values and our strong belief that every person has the right to be treated equally, and with dignity and respect.”

The same day that Schulman issued his statement, Malaysian student Hazim Ismail was granted asylum by Canada because he is gay and it would be too dangerous for him to return to his home country. Ismail testified that he faced persecution in the heavily-Muslim Malaysia because he had been publicly outed as a homosexual. So far, Schulman has remained silent on the persecution of homosexuals in Malaysia.

PayPal’s international headquarters are based in Singapore, where homosexual acts — even those done privately — are punishable by up to two years in jail. And Singapore’s anti-gay laws look like they’re here to stay. In 2014, the country’s highest court upheld laws criminalizing homosexual behavior.

The United Arab Emirates is another country whose values, unlike those of North Carolina, are apparently compatible with PayPal’s core principles. In 2012, the company announced plans to open up offices in Dubai.  At the time, PayPal’s general manager for the Middle East Elias Ghanem said, “It will be the hub for the region.”
 
While North Carolina will require transgenders to use the biologically correct bathroom, Dubai actually jails crossdressers and homosexuals.

 

[yankeefan7]

Let me add that the most "racist" state in the Union voted for Senator Obama for POTUS in 2008.

[javero]

I grew up there and don't find the state overtly racist any longer.  But, many of the Evangelicals down there are absolutely convinced that certain so-called sins of the flesh are unpardonable, above and beyond unbelief.

[Call_me_jorge]

Yankeefan7, the biggest different between North Carolina and Malaysia/Singapore is that the North Carolina HB2 came as a result of an ordinance passed by Charlotte. So it was basically a big f-u to the people of North Carolina while most likely the majority of the population of Malaysia/Singapore agree with anti-LGBT legislation. North Carolina is not representing its constituents while the governments of Malaysia and Singapore are.

[yankeefan7]

Call_Me_Jorge - I understand the difference  because I live in Charlotte NC. The current Governor of NC (Pat McCrory) was also Mayor of Charlotte for 14 years. When he was mayor of Charlotte, he did not want the state overriding decisions made by him as Mayor - lol.  Governor McCrory is up for re-election this year so we shall see what happens in November.

[yankeefan7]

"I grew up there and don't find the state overtly racist any longer.  But, many of the Evangelicals down there are absolutely convinced that certain so-called sins of the flesh are unpardonable, above and beyond unbelief."

 

That is true but I think that is changing also since the demographics of the state have changed quite a bit since I moved there in 1990.

[javero]

As you're likely aware, much of the down east region outside of Greenville, Jacksonville, and Fayetteville is very rural and ultraconservative socially.  That was my neck of the woods.  Interestingly, I left the state permanently in 1990.  On balance, folks down east are rather nice as long they consider you orthodox.

[Jiam]

How is being gay have anything to do with racism ?

[tazber]

Kduos to PayPal and The Boss!

[yankeefan7]

Let me add one other thing, the most "racist" state also was host to the Democratic Convention (Charlotte NC) in 2012.