By Matthew Laurrie
Copy Editor
Spaghetti may be straight, but the people who eat it don’t have to be.
Macaroni mayhem is on the rise, and a recent controversy has prompted consumers to be mindful about the brands of pasta they support.
Guido Barilla, chairman of Barilla Group, the world’s leading pasta producer, incited a frenzy when he remarked that he wouldn’t feature homosexual couples in advertisements for his company or market Barilla products to homosexuals, according to a Sept. 20 USA Today article.
“I would never make (a commercial) with a homosexual family,” Barilla said. “Not out of a lack of respect, but because I do not see it like they do. If gays don’t like it, they can always eat another brand of pasta.”
If two pieces of pasta love each other, they should be able to do so without fear of judgment from their creator. Barilla is certainly free to have an opinion on the subject, but it becomes an issue when one man’s views appear to represent the outlook of an entire company.
Barilla further stated gay and lesbian families do not fit into his idea of healthy societal norms, which is why he simply can’t fathom the notion of a homosexual sucking down his penne. But frankly, after this debacle, I don’t think any respectable gay person would touch his goods with a 39-and-a-half-foot piece of linguini anyway.
Can someone remind me again how a person’s sexual orientation has any connection to what brand of pasta he or she buys? The discussion shouldn’t involve what Barilla thinks of gays; the conversation should consist of nothing more than “fusilli or ziti?”
Barilla Group’s stance on gay families is not only wrong, it’s also irrelevant. What’s next: an announcement from Nestlé regarding its thoughts on abortion? A press release from Kraft about its standpoint on the legalization of marijuana? Is Pepsi Co. going to present its two cents on global warming? Companies should never make negative remarks about politics and social issues that will alienate consumers – it’s not good business and it’s not in good taste.
While Barilla clearly knows how to cook up controversy and serve up a steaming plate of bigotry, he certainly doesn’t care too much about maintaining a smart business. This man just alienated an entire group of consumers who would otherwise be cooking Barilla Group’s pasta in an impeccably-decorated New York City pied-à-terre for their well-groomed family.
On Monday, Barilla released an apology in which he expressed regret for his comments and the “misunderstanding” that ensued, according to an Oct. 2 CNN story.
I don’t know how one could “misunderstand” Barilla’s statements – his hateful banter seems crystal clear. However, I truly hope he has learned something from his actions.
While Barilla may genuinely have endured a change of heart, I’m hesitant to immediately accept his newfound esteem for all people. Although I’m not calling for a forever boycott on Barilla products, I think it’s necessary to refrain from purchasing them for a brief period in order to make a statement regarding the value of respect.
Think about that next time you’re perusing the pasta aisle at your local grocery store.
laurrimr11@bonaventure.edu
