Business and politics don't mix: Lassen's Health Food Store
By Michael Sullivan 11/26/2008
Samuel Adams, one of America’s founding fathers, once said, “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.”
When it comes to fighting for the rights of gay people — and the gay population is a minority — those who voted against Proposition 8 that banned gay marriage weren’t just homosexuals, but also heterosexuals. More than 5.9 million Californians, gay and straight, felt the ban was wrong, compared to the 6.4 million that felt marriage should only be between a man and a woman. The margin — 4 percent. Even though the “majority” did prevail, the so-called minority hasn’t stopped setting those brush fires, and it’s spreading.
While both gays and straights have been protesting the passage of the ban with demonstrations and marches, they have also decided to boycott businesses. And Lassen’s Health Food Store in Ventura has become an easy target for that group.
“My thought on this situation is that it is too bad that my store has become a public battle ground for this,” said store owner Peter Lassen. “It was never intended to be this way.”
In September, Peter made a donation of $27,500 to support the passage of the proposition through his business. But the backlash has been more than apparent.
Not only has the store lost several of its usual customers, but it has also dealt with a variety of deliberate acts of defiance. In one instance, a person came into the store, filled up a grocery cart, the cashier scanned the items, then the person intentionally left without paying, relating it to the store’s support of Prop. 8. Another time, an employee wearing a Lassen’s shirt was confronted and yelled at in public by an opponent of the ban. The day of the national protest on Nov. 15, activists stood out in front of the store handing out fliers and trying to persuade customers to boycott.
Peter now feels that not only he, but his business and employees are being unfairly discriminated against.
“We do have rights to participate in the election process; we do all have that inherent right,” he said. “Our founding fathers shed their blood and trekked through snow and ice to protect our right to vote. The personal donation that was made has made people think that now I am a bigot and hate all people.”
But herein lies the problem. Although Peter made that donation, he said he spends 20 to 30 times more than what he contributed on the salaries and wages of his gay and lesbian workers. He has always been an equal opportunity employer and wants to provide a hate-free nondiscriminatory work place.
Although Peter wants to maintain a calm and peaceful working environment, his decision to support a very heated political measure has had its consequences.
Dan Schmidt, 42, an employee for Lassen’s for almost a year and a practicing Buddhist, voted no on the proposition. Prior to working at Lassen’s, Schmidt had owned a business. He said he knew better than to get involved in politics.
“One time, I made a decision to not make a donation because I knew it would stir up a lot of energy but I liked my employees and wanted to give them bonuses rather than to spend it on a silly prop.,” Schmidt said. “I believe in paying the employees and bringing the morale up.”
While Schmidt doesn’t advocate Peter’s personal decision, Schmidt does believe everyone has the right to make a choice, whether to make a donation for a cause or to boycott a business. But Schmidt continues working at the store because he believes it serves a fundamental purpose in the community — good health.
“I have to say, overall, the health food store and the community base, and the overall customers and individuality that brings people to good health is alternative thinking,” he said. “And I miss them not being here, and I respect the fact of them not being here.”
But not everyone is gone. Carol Katz, 69, of Ventura, continues to frequent the market. Even though she voted Yes on 8, she said she wouldn’t have cared either way.
“I’m sure a lot of places I go to voted opposite of me, and I wouldn’t stop going there,” Katz said. “I love this place.”
When asked if he had to do it again, would he do it another way, Peter said yes.
“I feel bad about it,” he said. “I regret making the donation …. I don’t feel bad supporting the cause but I would have done it differently.”
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT
Other Stories by Michael Sullivan
Related Articles
Comments
Peter, we don't think you hate all people. Obviously, you just hate gays.