The definition of support includes "helping to bear the weight", "to uphold or defend as valid or right", "to argue or vote for". By allowing Tucker Carlson to perform Hershey is not helping to shoulder the weight that has burdened our marginalized communities. They are refusing to deny him a platform and themselves profits, that weight they will not bear. They are allowing someone who consistently tries to undermine the validity of people in our communities as well as their rights. They are not arguing with Tucker Carlson or his ideals, in fact they're welcoming it right in and giving it a dressing room. It is a curiosity what Hershey means when they say they support marginalized communities, considering they fail to meet the basic definitions of the word.
Hershey claims to be allowing Tucker Carlson to speak in the name of diversity while failing to recognize that diversity can be obtained many ways, and that diversity is only healthy and appropriate to a point. We do not consume certain things for the sake of diversity, as some of those things are in fact toxic like Tucker and are not fit for consumption.
“GIANT Center is committed to being a non-partisan and apolitical venue, dedicated to serving the diverse interests of our community,” the company said in a written statement to PennLive. “We aim to provide a platform where a wide range of voices can be heard, regardless of their political orientation." If this is the case then they should be hosting non-partisan, apolitical events to keep in line with their mission statement. Giving a stage to political voices is being political no matter where they are on the left to right scale. Either be involved in politics and take a stand somewhere or ACTUALLY be apolitical and deny political entities this venue. Honesty is the best policy after all.
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts seems to indicate there are no boundaries or red line that can't be crossed with Entertainment. Money, not ethics or family-oriented entertainment will always lead their decisions.
Among Tucker Carlsons guests, Alex Jones. Someone who denies that kindergarten children were senselessly murdered in a savage school shooting.
Roseanne Barr who compared a black woman to a primate and has made repeated racist remarks.
How about transphobic Kid Rock who shot up Bud Light over a trans spokesperson?
And WHO KNOWS who the mystery guest is that's being teased! Maybe it's somebody more repugnant, bigoted, or violent. HE&R indicates there is no red line. Anything goes!
Their response was weak, inappropriate, and incogruent to their posted ethics and values.
Let HE&R know how you feel.
Contact ALL THREE of these individuals.
John Lawn, President of the Board
jlawn@hersheypa.com
Leslie Ferraro, vice president of the Board
lferraro@hersheypa.com
And Vikki Hultquist, VP of Hersheypark and Entertainment operations
vhultquist@hersheypa.com
While money can buy many things, integrity is priceless.