By: Ella Zhang
The importance of corporate activism
A new law that President Biden calls “Jim Crow in the 21st century” aims to suppress many Black Democratic voters in Georgia. On March 25th, 2021 Georgian Republicans passed the voting bill, officially known as Senate Bill 202. On March 31st, Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed the bill, which will go into effect on July 1st. This new law is a result of the disproved allegations of voter fraud that former President Trump claims lost him Georgia and the presidential election. The 2020 election was the first time in 28 years in which a Democrat won the state of Georgia. The voting bill was passed in order to silence people of color, especially Black Americans and to ensure the future of America will continue to be controlled by whites. Many major companies based in Georgia are speaking out against the bill, the most notable ones being Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines. These companies must continue to voice clear opposition to this bill, as their voices are the most influential and may be the most capable of impacting change.
An abundance of new discriminatory policies are presented in the 98-page bill. In particular, restrictions on voting hours, new absentee voting guidelines, and voter challenges directly affect many Black voters. Prior to the bill, drop-boxes were open 24-7. Now, drop-boxes are only open for a certain amount of voting hours. Voting rights activists argue that more Black Georgians work multiple jobs and longer hours than other Georgians; thus, limited hours on drop boxes makes it more difficult for them to vote. Furthermore, the new law will allow people to challenge the voting eligibility of any Georgian voter. Activists have pointed out that “this will make it easier for conservative groups to attempt to purge large groups of Black voters or others they think will support Democrats.” Potential voters now also have to request ballots themselves in order to receive them and must include identification with their ballot when voting with an absentee ballot. The Black Lives Matter Fund and Rise, Inc have stated “Black voters are less likely than other voters to have the identification now required” and more likely to belong to the estimated 200,000 Georgians that do not have a valid license or state identification card. The blatant racism perpetuated by this new bill is being masked as an enforcement of American democracy. Some companies rightfully object.
In the past, Coca-Cola’s political advocacy has mainly been focused on environmental policy. As for their contributions to American politics, the company has disclosed that after the events at the U.S Capitol in January, they have halted their political contributions to all parties and candidates indefinitely. They also note in their “Political Giving Criteria” that political candidates “will not be eligible for a political contribution from The Coca-Cola Company or the Coca-Cola PAC if they have made egregious remarks in the Equality & Inclusion area,” which includes human rights and racial equality. In contrast to Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines has made relatively few political contributions. Thus, Delta’s stance on the Georgia voting law is the first time in recent history that the company has made a direct political statement. As some of the biggest employers in Georgia, Coca-Cola and Delta provide a welcome and impactful viewpoint in ensuring that each American citizen has the same fair and equal right to vote.
However, Coca-Cola and Delta’s initial message against the voting laws were vague and ambiguous due to fear that voicing disapproval of the bill would pit “them against Republicans who have proven willing to raise taxes and enact onerous regulations on companies that cross them politically.” Due to protests, both Delta and Coca-Cola released statements in opposition to the final voting bill. Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastain, claimed he did not realize the degree to which Black voters would be unfairly restricted under new laws. Bastain eventually made statements in support of the protesters after he was able to “fully understand all that is in the bill [and have] discussions with leaders and employees in the Black community.” Nevertheless, it seems as if Bastain waited until there was backlash against Delta to speak out. Coca-Cola and Delta likely waited to make a statement in fear of losing clients, but if there had been clear opposition from these companies before the bill was passed, it might not have passed at all.
Still, by opposing the law, these powerful companies are influencing other corporations to speak out as well. Companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Blackrock have spoken out about the bill as well as the suppression of Black voters. In a public letter detailing Microsoft’s opposition to the bill, the President of Microsoft, Brad Smith, reacted to Delta and Coca-Cola’s statements by stating his “hope that companies will come together and make clear that a healthy business requires a healthy community… And a healthy community requires that everyone have the right to vote conveniently, safely, and securely. This new law falls short of the mark, and we should work together to press the Georgia legislature to change it.” With influential companies like Delta and Coca-Cola backing their viewpoint on the Georgia voting bill, other companies have begun to follow suit.
These companies, however, are facing backlash for their statements from various Republican government officials, such as Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, who accused Coca-Cola of “caving to the ‘woke’ left.” Adviser to former President Donald J. Trump, Stephen Miller claimed that “multinational corporations are now openly attacking sovereign U.S. states & the right of their citizens to secure their own elections.” By framing the bill as a way of securing America’s voting system, Miller accuses these companies of “a corporate ambush on Democracy.” As seen by the negative reactions of these Republican officials in opposition of these major corporations, it is clear that companies like Delta and Coca-Cola have a significant influence on state politics. Although Delta and Coca-Cola risk losing their Republican clientele, it is important for these companies to speak out about this historically overlooked issue of human voting rights.
Delta and Coca-Cola’s acknowledgement of the injustice of this new bill has prompted other companies to come together to oppose the bill. Contrary to the GOP’s claims of “leftist favoritism,” these powerful companies’ statements are spreading awareness of the bill’s attack on civil rights and democracy. It is important that Delta and Coca-Cola continue to voice their disapproval of the law for as long as they have the economic and political power to do so.
Images:
Protests gathered to oppose Senate Bill 202 on March 3rd, 2021, prior to the passing of the bill.
Georgian voters wait in a long line to cast their ballots early during the 2020 election
