Chick-fil-A says ‘our hearts are breaking’ for black employees

ATLANTA — Fast food chain Chick-fil-A released a statement saying “our hearts are breaking” for black employees who have “suffered for too long because of racism.”

The statement comes as cities nationwide take to the streets to protest police brutality after the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.

“Racism should have no place in society. Not now, not ever. It cannot be tolerated. Our hearts are breaking, for our black Team Members, Operators and Staff and all those in the Black community who are suffering and who have suffered for too long because of racism,” the company wrote on its website.

Dan T. Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s chairman and CEO, shared his thoughts with staff over the weekend: “This is a time that we must love our neighbors more than we have ever done before, with greater empathy than ever before.”

In a lengthy post on his LinkedIn page, Cathy wrote that he has had numerous conversations with black friends and colleagues.

“They are tired, because no amount of kneeling or marching seems to truly address what has ailed our country for generations: A controverted view of race which is sometimes overt and sometimes subtle but always destructive,” Cathy wrote.

Cathy said he realized that he can't remain silent and that the problems facing the black community go beyond police brutality.

"The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and many others is horrifying and merits our outrage," Cathy wrote. "We should also address the disparate impact of COVID-19 on black and brown communities, as well as the disparity in educational opportunities and access to opportunity. Nobody talks about it enough, because this is someone else’s problem."

Cathy called on wealthy individuals and corporations to use their power and influence to implement change.

“Let’s open the door to dialogue and healing,” Cathy wrote. “It’s OK if its messy. It’s OK if tears are shed. We are human. Let’s be moved to action. Let’s join together to build a world that reflects God’s love for all of us.”

Cox Media Group