Minneapolis CEO Letter About ICE
Several CEOs signed a letter distributed through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students can analyze it in terms of character and persuasive strategy. For me, the letter is light, late, and self-serving.
Here are a few notes—and students will have their own opinions:
Positives
Leaders did something. We heard very little until recently, which may be understandable. The public seems divided on whether CEOs should speak out against Trump. CEOs said a lot after George Floyd was killed, which was expected at the time. They made some statements at the beginning of the Israeli-Hamas war and faced backlash; nothing seemed right. So now they’re shy about jumping back in. But local CEOs have particular responsibilities and interests.
More than 60 CEOs signed on. We see big companies and big names on the list—Best Buy, Target, 3M, General Mills, and others.
Negatives/Skepticism
The letter says little. The CEOs request no specific action; they call for “an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” “peace and focused cooperation,” and “a swift and durable solution.” What? How? Should people stop protesting? It’s an open letter with no defined audience. What’s the call to action?
The language is vague and mealy mouthed. References to “recent challenges” to “yesterday’s tragic news” are weak and insulting. We might call on the CEOs to “say his name”: Alex Pretti. With no mention of ICE at all, the letter might be from a different time and place.
It’s late. Published on January 25, the letter missed intense activity since early December and the killing of Renee Good.
The focus is on leaders themselves. Most of the letter says what the leaders have done, are doing, and will continue to do. See below for the underlined parts (more than 5 of the 8 sentences).
It’s virtue signalling. At some point, the numbers tipped, and it became imperative to sign. At that point, leaders signed to conform rather than to demonstrate courage. In fact, NOT signing might have been more courageous.
The purpose is self-serving. In addition to virtue signalling, the last line shows the CEOs’ real purpose—to get back to work.
Students could do better. Perhaps they could rewrite the letter for these CEOs.
[Underlined parts are about leaders themselves and their own interests.]
The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.
With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.
We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.