Posted on 01/24/2025 11:00:18 AM PST by Red Badger
Key Points
* Target is rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, joining major companies like Walmart, Meta and McDonald’s.
* In a memo sent to its employees, Target it will end its three-year DEI goals, stop reports to external groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses.
* In prior years, Target had said the murder of George Floyd in the company’s hometown of Minneapolis motivated it to strengthen its DEI programs.
====================================================================
Target on Friday said it’s rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs — including some that aim to make its workforce and merchandise better reflect its customers.
In a memo sent to its employees, the Minneapolis-based retailer said it will end its three-year DEI goals, stop reports to external diversity-focused groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses.
The memo was sent to staff Friday and viewed by CNBC. It was written by Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer for Target.
“Many years of data, insights, listening and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” she said in the memo. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future – all in service of driving Target’s growth and winning together.”
With the move, the Minneapolis-based discounter joins a growing list of companies including Tractor Supply, Facebook’s parent Meta, Walmart, and McDonald’s that have dropped DEI-related pledges and goals. Some of those companies faced pressure from conservative activists or cited the Supreme Court’s ruling blocking affirmative action at colleges — which may not compel corporations to take any action on the issue.
The company’s decision also follows President Donald Trump’s executive orders, made almost immediately after his Inauguration, to end the government’s DEI programs and put federal officials overseeing those initiatives on leave.
Many corporations’ diversity commitments, including Target’s go back for years and were strengthened in the wake of the “Black Lives Matter” protests and the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Four years ago, Target CEO Brian Cornell said the murder — which happened just a short distance from Target’s headquarters in its hometown — felt personal. He said it motivated him to step up Target’s diversity and equity efforts.
“That could have been one of my Target team members,” he said at the time, recounting his thoughts as he watched the video of Floyd taking his final breaths.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
they were a leader in the movement right after JC Penney
F Target, they still hate white people and especially males. They ain’t getting any of my money.
“That could have been one of my Target team members,”
So, you admit you hire thugs and drug addicts?
The timing of this retreat from DEI is impossible to ignore. Corporations never really cared about it, they probably had their arms twisted by the Fed. As soon as Biden Admin was done and exec order signed, they were free to drop it.
I saw a few companies had public statements essentially clarifying that they already had many of the DEI concepts in place, without needing affirmative action or DEI to make their companies more diverse or inclusive.
they were a leader in the movement right after JC Penney
Exactly! Target was one I thought would never move an inch on DEI. Their customers are the Starbucks of retail
Walmart did away with it the day after the election
Eggzackly. Don’t trust ‘em. They may change their tune because it’s costing them money, but they are still an LGBTQ-supporting company.
Well maybe I can resume shopping there.
They destroyed themselves in my eyes when they were selling transgender clothes for toddlers.
Any official of the company that would make that decision and have the backing of their company would mean that the company is corrupt and I won’t support them.
PetSmart was selling rainbow clothes for dogs. I stopped buying stuff from PetSmart.
Stopped patronizing Target years ago, long before the bathroom garbage — when they first started rolling out pro-homo-themed T-shirts. Will NEVER go back.
“That could have been one of my Target team members.”! wtf! Do you hire criminals and drug addicts?
“That could have been one of my Target team members,”
Target hires known felons, violent bullies, and drug addicts?
For management.....................
Rolling back or just renaming? That what a lot of these frauds are doing.
Haven’t been in a Target since they decided boys belong in girls’ restrooms.
probably renaming. Just like Gulf of America
disgusting
Long before the LGBTQWERTY insanity, Target banned The Little Red Kettle Christmas person from ringing their bell for donations just outside the front door. We haven’t been back since.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.