MGMT618_Week3Assign_SmithT

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 The Science of Morality Tysha Smith American Public University MGMT618: Ethics in Leadership Professor Dave Zipin 24 December 2023

2 The Science of Morality Freedom is a pillar of the American society, whether it be freedom of speech, freedom of association, or freedom of expression. Freedom is the cornerstone of the American lifestyle and will not be going anywhere anytime soon. In recent years emphasis on these three freedoms has increased if anything. The First Amendment, one that many take for granted grants freedom of speech which according to the United States Courts covers literal words and symbolic words which could be art, music, or actions such as dance or other performative arts (United States Courts, n.d.). Freedom of speech also includes the freedom to protest or support campaigns. However, this does not include breaking any laws or impeding upon the rights of or the harming of others. Freedom of association also falling under the First Amendment is the right to the meeting of peoples for collective action to better the interests of their members as well as deny or accept members. This can include religious groups, political parties, sports clubs, fraternities, other societies, and many other organizations. The only time the right to freedom of organization can be impeded on by the government is when an individual has been convicted of a crime previously that would compromise their reformation. Limitations to this right include any organization that engages in illegal acts. Freedom of expression allows individuals to advocate for themselves in the method that works for them without repercussion as long as it is within the realm of the law. Recently these matters have come into a major focus. Whether it be Colin Kaepernick kneeling or the Black Lives Matters protests. As long as it is within the realm of the law and does not impede upon the rights of others it should be legal. However, these movements or expressions have caused great controversy in the United States and almost divided the nation. These freedoms although their intended purpose is not to stifle people and allow them to

3 advocate for themselves and people or causes, they care for can also be misused. Such as the new phenomenon of “internet trolls” that harass people and “cyber stalk” with the purpose of hurting others and use the get out of jail free card of their First Amendment rights. These rights although meant to help and protect people can and have been misused. The intent of this paper is to discuss the four white nationalist groups and them exercising their rights as well as the judgement levied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of tax exemption. Four White Nationalist Group In 2016 an article was published detailing how four white nationalist groups were given nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service, collectively raising almost $8 mission dollars in donations. All of these organizations being connected to some kind of Caucasian person of wealth. The four organizations included the New Century Foundation, the National Policy Institute, the Charles Martel Society, and the VDare Foundation. All of the organizations are very clear about their intentions and purposes, the expansion and benefit of the white race. The argument when it comes this situation is why should an organization with racist roots and intentions be given the right to freedom to association. As mentioned earlier freedoms can be misused and abused but many are up in arms about whether or not this a blatant misuse and abuse of that freedom. The parameters as mentioned earlier in the text only include as long as the organization does not organize for illegal purposes. So, the largest question is does this fall within those parameters of freedom to associate with tax exemptions or is this a grave misuse? Analyzing the Issue When taking this issue apart many cannot see past the issue of race and really look at the issue of the policy. In order to analyze the policy, one should look at another controversial but less highlighted issue. All male clubs are another issue that falls into this same criterion but gives

4 a less controversial topic to present. In a journal entry by Celia Laframboise and Leigh West they detail the controversary of all male clubs and the exclusion of female members ultimately for the betterment of men, which per the parameters of freedom of association should be legal as they are generally not involved in illegal activity. However, Laframboise and West highlight a quote from the United States’ Supreme Court, “discrimination based on archaic and overbroad assumptions about the relative needs and capacities of the sexes forces individuals to labor under stereotypical notions that often bear no relationship to their actual abilities. It thereby both deprives persons of their individual dignity and denies society of the benefits of wide participation in political, economic, and cultural life” (Laframboise & West, 1987, pg. 336). If gender discrimination by organizations is deemed wrong, what differs when it comes to race which at times can be a far more controversial subject. If this behavior is deemed incorrect why would organizations be deemed tax exemptions due to their status or an organization that is spreading knowledge and awareness. With these organizations hiding in plain site with misleading naming conventions do they actually fit the parameters of a IRS non-profit organization? When analyzing the IRS requirements to be a tax-exempt organization the donations cannot go directly to a shareholder or person, nor can they take part in the influencing of legislation or actively support of take part in activities against a political candidate. Nor can the organization be assembled in order to push the agenda of a private affair or for personal benefit. Political involvement is also limited (IRS, n.d.). However, some of the groups have cited Donald Trump’s presence in the presidential seat as beneficial to their cause. VDare’s president, Peter Brimelow believed that the election of Donald Trump would increase their donations while the Martel Society singlehandedly associated their recent success to the presence of Donald Trump’s presidency. The National

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