On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. DEI refers to a program that warrants acceptance for people of different cultures, identities and backgrounds; it aims to create a fair and diverse workforce and school environment.
Recently, given that they are not mandated by the federal government, companies have been pulling back from the DEI initiative. One such well-known company is Target.
Target is known by its employees and customers for being inclusive; around 56% of Target’s employees are racial/ethnic minorities that fall under DEI hiring. Why would Target — a company known to thrive from inclusivity — fold under pressure from conservatives?
In addition to ending its DEI policies, Target will eliminate Racial Equity Action and Change initiatives and no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Target is willing to risk its values and growth to silence the political tension it has faced with conservative groups. It seems like Target is giving up and drinking the juice that conservatives give to other companies that have backed down from DEI initiatives.
Target had DEI programs that helped Black employees promote Black-owned businesses and establish meaningful careers amidst the George Floyd killing in 2020. Now it has been reversed and eliminated at the snap of a finger from conservatives. Not only will this initiative affect Black-owned businesses that rely on Target and its DEI policies but also other minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Back in June, Target customers would have noticed PRIDE, the company’s LGBTQ+ merchandise collection that was featured every summer for years. To those who never witnessed the collection, it is likely that Target will not stock such items again. In 2016, when transgender rights became an issue to discuss, Target stated that “inclusivity is a core belief at Target” and said it supported transgender employees and customers using whichever restroom or fitting room “corresponds with their gender identity.”
Does Target think that doubling down from its original values will help gain more business, or did it just lose an entire generation of customers by excluding and marginalizing communities that have supported it for so long?
It is important for people to know and understand what DEI policies include. Information like who is and is not contributing to the problem of reversing history that so many have fought hard for is something to stay aware of.
Those Black-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ employees who benefitted from Target’s DEI policies — no matter the political landscape — are at risk. This should not be the case; no one deserves to be marginalized simply because of who they are.
Target is not the only company to stray away from its original values. Instead of going to Target for whatever necessities a person may need, consider going to H-E-B, Thrive Market or Costco. As more companies eliminate their DEI programs, it is important to support those that — despite the executive order signed by Trump — continue to stand by the DEI initiative and inclusive environments.
