The Levi's Files - Part 2

Are you one of us or one of them?

As it always is with “cancel culture”, a very vocal and punitive minority dominates the airwaves. In corporate culture, cowardly executives refuse to stand up to the angry mob; these executives are all too willing to banish those targeted and demonized by the mob, as proof of their own righteousness.

The corporate banishings are merely a means to demonstrate the altruism of these executives and their (feigned) loyalty to the social justice causes of the moment. And, of course, more to the point, to avoid scrutiny of their true intentions: the ruthless pursuit of wealth, often at the expense of everyday workers.

Below is a summary of the employee criticism I faced during my two years of advocating for open public schools and against other restrictions on children during 2020-2021.

This was sent to me by a member of the Corporate Communications team - a summary meant to help me prepare for my “apology tour” in June 2021.

Let’s break it down, shall we? (Note: my responses here are not what I said in the “apology tour". I was more diplomatic. But equally firm.)

First, I agreed to the “apology tour” (something no other executive or employee has ever had to do) because I really had no choice if I wanted to keep my job. Which, believe it or not, I was still trying to do.

Since I had to engage in this public shaming ritual, I decided that I was going to do it my way. I planned to explain myself and my advocacy for children; I would not, under any circumstances, apologize for my views. Why? Because I wasn’t wrong and I had nothing to apologize for. And, as we all know, bending a knee and prostrating oneself to the mob only serves to invite more flagellation.

The opener of the email is telling: “There are people who just don’t like what you’re saying or where you said it.”

So? That makes me a Human Resources violation?

But this statement is at the heart of cancel culture. We don’t like you. We don’t like what you are saying. Therefore, you deserve to be shunned, vilified and, ultimately, unemployed.

If you never disagree with prevailing narratives, are you thinking for yourself, or are you simply operating as an unpaid influencer for an increasingly authoritarian and propaganda-furthering government/corporate/PR machine?

I’ll tell you this: if you never disagree with those in power, you are not the resistance, so you should stop using #resist in your social media profile. Maybe try this: #comply. It would be more accurate.

Next: Are you one of us or one of them?

I didn’t realize a loyalty oath to the “Left” or the Democratic Party was a condition for employment. I am on no team, no side. I stand for principle not Party.

Next: Why did you choose Laura Ingraham?

This one is easy. I didn’t “choose” Laura Ingraham. She chose me. And I had no other option. Because anyone who challenged the harmful public health dictates was censored and vilified and shadow-banned by the mainstream media as well as social media platforms.

I would have been more than happy to talk with anyone from The New York Times or CNN. These platforms refused to engage with dissenting viewpoints. And now that those dissenting views have been proven correct (closed public schools were harmful, ineffective and unnecessary), the “mainstream media” outlets still refuse to engage with those who saw it from the beginning, because doing so would force an acknowledgement of the MSM’s complicity in furthering these harmful policies. I don’t see them doing that any time soon.

Next: Are you anti-mask?

Is being pro-mask a condition for employment? Apparently, yes.

Despite my skepticism about masks (due to lack of empirical facts via randomized control studies that they actually do anything), I always complied with all of Levi’s masking policies for employees and never criticized the rule. I only criticized the masking of small children. There are no toddlers working at Levi’s.

For the record - Yes. I’m anti-mask. They are nothing more than a symbol of compliance and one giant virtue signal - I mask therefore I care. But so what if I am? Asking this question is akin to asking if I’m a wrong-thinker. My actions aligned with company policy, but my thoughts were unacceptable and I was punished for them.

Next: Are you anti-vax?

I am anti-mandate. I believe in bodily autonomy. I don’t think anyone should be forced to take a medication or undergo a medical procedure. That said, I got vaccinated for covid in May 2021, in accordance with company policy. I was coerced to do so.

My husband was outspoken about the discriminatory impacts of vaccine mandates. I was challenged for his outspokenness on the subject. His views, expressed via Twitter, prompted the question: Are you anti-vax? So, I guess female executives are supposed to answer for things their spouses say now?

Levi’s vaccine mandate remains in place, as I understand it, and I believe this is wrong, especially given what we know now about this vaccine’s ineffectiveness in preventing infection and spread.

If anti-mandate means “anti-vax,” then yes, I’m proudly anti-vax. I’m happy to stand alongside my husband in this view.

Next: Are you into conspiracy theories?

No. (What a dumb question! Does anyone think they are “into conspiracy theories”?)

I’m into truth. Here are a few things that were labeled conspiracy theories that we now know were not: the vaccines having side effects including myocarditis, blood clots and menstrual changes; vaccine mandates; digital health passports; social media companies working in tandem with the government to suppress dissent.

If it wasn’t for “conspiracy theorists,” the truth on many of these issues would have never come to light. Call me what you will . . .

Next: Are you anti-union?

No. I support private sector unions. At their best, they protect workers from predatory companies and industries. I support raising the minimum wage. Why doesn’t Levi’s?

I also support public schools and public school teachers. In fact, I’ve always sent my kids to public schools. Why don’t Levi’s executives?

And why are Amazon and Starbucks anti-union? Do Levi’s employees and executives support boycotting these companies for their union-busting practices? Would Levi’s pull their products from selling on Amazon to put pressure on the company to allow workers to unionize? Seems doubtful given the fact that Amazon is one of Levi’s largest global retailers. So who is anti-union then?

Next: Is advocating for school re-openings perpetuating systemic racism?

No. Keeping public schools closed is what perpetuates systemic racism. These schools were disproportionately populated by black and brown students. Rich white kids went to in-person school, at their fancy private institutions. In fact, keeping urban public schools closed for well over a year is the epitome of systemic racism.

Next: Is there a conflict of interest between your role as Levi’s Brand President and what you’re saying on your personal Twitter?

No. Does being an employee of a company mean you give up your rights as a citizen? Does being an employee of a company mean you don’t have the right to free speech?

At Levi’s, our most celebrated advertising campaign urged people to “use your voice.” I used mine. The company didn’t like it because, apparently, “use your voice” meant - use it, but only if you say what we want you to say.

I’ll proudly sacrifice my job if it means I get to keep using my voice now. What else do we have but who we are and what we believe?

Lastly, “are you one of us or one of them?”

Seriously? Did I take a blood oath to work at Levi’s?

If this doesn’t frighten you, you aren’t really paying attention. You have joined the cult of conformity and you no longer care about truth, or right vs wrong. And you don’t mind government and corporations colluding to hide the truth from us and censor anyone who challenges their propaganda.

To demand a loyalty oath as a condition of employment and membership in polite society is akin to both Communism and McCarthyism, and indeed to all the -isms that are hallmarks of un-free societies.

I reject this question outright.

Next question?