Detroit Metro Times: We interviewed the guy behind the viral 'woke' HVAC ad from Lansing

[marmar]

We interviewed the guy behind the viral ‘woke’ HVAC ad from Lansing
Owner Larry Kirchoff explains how Colin Kaepernick inspired All-Star Mechanical to become a ‘company with a conscience’

By Konstantina Buhalis on Tue, Jul 5, 2022 at 12:16 pm


(Detroit Metro Times) All-Star Mechanical is more than your average HVAC company. Aside from promoting its heating and cooling services, the Lansing-based company’s social media presence is also dedicated to promoting civil rights, social justice, and dismantling systemic racism. The company recently went viral on Twitter when someone posted a picture of an ad they published in a local paper.

”I can’t pretend like everything is ok,” the ad reads. “Gun fetishes are being prioritized, women are no longer in control of their own bodies. The earth is heating up. Black and Brown people are still being killed, brutalized, or otherwise harassed. Honestly, at this point, who gives a SH*T about HVAC. But if you’re hot, give us a call.”

Link to tweet

Metro Times caught up with owner Larry Kirchoff, who explains how All-Star Mechanical became a “company with a conscience.” Kirchoff says he went into business in 2007 with no other intentions other than providing homeowners with care. In 2012 though, that all changed.

“I lived without having any real knowledge of what privilege was, up until Trayvon Martin was [shot],” he tells Metro Times. “It wasn’t even necessarily that he was killed. It was more the reaction when he was killed, and how they labeled him as a thug or labeled him as, you know, some sort of — it just was a stereotype. And then the people that sort of lifted George Zimmerman up as some sort of vigilante hero — so that was the first point at which I ever thought, ‘This isn’t right.’”

From that moment, Kirchoff says he dedicated himself to learning more about systemic racism, civil rights, and social justice, using his business’s social media pages as a catalyst for discussion, and educating others. ..............(more)

https://www.metrotimes.com/news/we-interviewed-the-guy-behind-the-viral-woke-hvac-ad-from-lansing-30488244

[KY_EnviroGuy]

1. This is what I call an American hero.

Even in the face of the coming death threats and possibly even sabotage toward his business, this guy deserves a phone call of thanks from the President.

"he dedicated himself to learning"

More like this......

[MLAA]

2. +1

[pirsquared]

6. needed far beyond Detroit

It would be neat if "we" could form a nationwide network of like-minded companies so we could find a similar company in our area.

[YoshidaYui]

13. 2+

[LoisB]

3. Good for him.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. hear . hear.

[flashman13]

5. Caste

For anyone who would like to learn much more I highly recommend reading Caste by Isabel Wilkerson.

[unweird]

9. Just finished reading Caste

And yes, definitely a recommended reading for what we are dealing with. It’s not only systemic racism but the original sin of America and this book helps illuminate the challenge we face. How we face that challenge to me is reflected in James Baldwins quote on the future - “The future of the negro in this country is precisely as bright or as dark as the future of the country.”

[erronis]

10. Thank you, flashman13. I'll look forward to reading Caste. The premise sounds exactly right.

[Elessar Zappa]

7. He sounds like a good man.

I wish his business success.

[MiHale]

8. KnR

[ultralite001]

11. Colin Kaepernick scores again...

Changing hearts and minds...

May Mr Kirchoff live long and prosper, seeding positive change with each repair...

I'd like to see them shake each other's hand...

That is all...

[Hermit-The-Prog]

12. Factual education is key.

[Hassler]

14. Lots of good Michiganders like this one in my home state.

[William769]

15. K&R.

[GreenEyedLefty]

16. He's in Lansing, a ways away from Detroit

He is amazing. And no doubt will be on the receiving end of a lot of backlash from gun toting, fascist, racist assholes in that area (there are many, sadly). He deserves a lot of support.

[rubbersole]

17. I'd use his services.

I hope his client base expands.

[Kid Berwyn]

18. Now THERE's a human being!

Thanks for the heads-up, marmar!