Aisles that used to bustle with excited customers have now grown quiet. Target boycotts have been taking place nationwide after the company publicly rescinded its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism policies.
Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Target established a program to better support their Black employees, promote Black-owned businesses, institute anti-racism training for all staff, and create a welcoming environment for Black shoppers.
The company, once a strong advocate for minority rights and equality, officially announced that it would be ending its DEI objectives. Some of their DEI goals included promoting businesses owned by women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, in addition to hiring more women and racial minorities. In 2022, they were recognized by the Executive Leadership Council, a group of global Black CEOs, for having a strong commitment to achieving DEI. The company had also pledged $100 million to support Black-led nonprofits and provide scholarships to students attending historically Black colleges and universities across America. However, not long after President Trump signed an executive order banning all DEI programs, Target was quick to remove its own anti-racism policies, stating that it is concluding its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and, its Racial Equity Action and Change initiatives. Target was not alone in the downsizing or full removal of their DEI policies, as they were joined by other large brands and companies such as Walmart, McDonalds, Amazon, Meta, and Google.
Other brands have resisted and rejected proposals to dismantle their own DEI programs. Apple, Ben & Jerry’s, Costco, and Delta Airlines have all been outspoken about the importance of DEI initiatives and confirmed that they will not be removing theirs any time soon. Lush, a cosmetics company known for selling scented products, released new bath bombs named Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a form of peaceful protest and affirmed that they would not be rolling back any policies.
Across social media platforms, consumers have been applying pressure and calling out corporations who were quick to roll back their commitments to DEI. While Target has yet to respond to the backlash, its stock has dropped 12% over the past few weeks, concerning customers and investors alike. DEI policies have provided crucial opportunities and support to so many families and workers of color, and cutting them back is devastating to many. Eliminating these policies will raise the likelihood of workplace discrimination, limit career development opportunities for minorities, and even widen the pay gap. Holding companies accountable for these rollbacks is necessary to ensure that progress toward equity is not over.
