As companies such as Ford take steps to distance themselves from the “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) movement that has dominated corporate strategy in recent years, they join a growing number of businesses rethinking their commitments to race-based ideology. In an August 28 memo to employees, Ford CEO Jim Farley said he is “mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs,” and that the company is taking “a fresh look” at its DEI program.
Ford’s reversal on DEI follows similar decisions by other major corporations, including Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Polaris, Indian Motorcycle, Lowe’s, and most recently Molson Coors. These companies have reportedly revised their DEI policies due to public pressure or legal challenges.
In addition, 25 companies have been formally notified by shareholders since 2021 that their DEI programs constitute illegal discrimination under federal and state civil rights laws, as well as a breach of fiduciary duty to investors.
This is a trend, for sure,” Jerry Bowyer, president of conservative investment consulting firm Bowyer Research, told The Epoch Times. The rapid succession, the way it’s occurred, there’s almost a cascade effect going on.
According to conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has been posting on social media regarding his investigation of “woke” policies at numerous companies, Ford confirmed to him that it would end its participation in a number of DEI related efforts.
In response to a request by The Epoch Times for comment, a Ford spokesperson stated: “The communication to our global employees speaks for itself. We have nothing further to add.
Starbuck’s postings went viral when they were supported by people such as SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk, who stated on Twitter that “DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it.
A number of companies that pursued DEI and other progressive programs have come under pressure from activists, shareholders, customers, and state attorneys general to end them. Responding to consumer backlash, Tractor Supply issued a statement in June that said, “We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.
The company stated that it would no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign rating system but instead “focus on rural America priorities including ag education, animal welfare, veteran causes and being a good neighbor, and stop sponsoring nonbusiness activities like pride festivals and voting campaigns.” It further pledged to eliminate DEI roles within the company and drop CO2 emission goals, focusing instead on land and water conservation.
Law firms are also stepping back from DEI programs. Legal suits by conservative nonprofit American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) have compelled some major law firms to allow people of all races to apply for fellowships previously reserved for people of color.
Using someone’s race as a factor in employment decisions is unfair, polarizing, and illegal,” Edward Blum, president of AAER, told The Epoch Times. Significant majorities of Americans of all races do not believe someone’s race should be used by any employer to hire or promote any individual. Corporations are at risk of being sued for their DEI practices.
On the other side, organizations that support DEI policies have had harsh words for companies that backtrack. Harley-Davidson’s choice to back away from the Corporate Equality Index is an impulsive decision,” Human Rights Campaign Vice President Eric Bloem said in a statement on August 20. The group introduced the Corporate Equality Index.
Advocates of DEI programs say that they are legal and beneficial. The purpose of DEI and other remedial workplace programs is to improve the process by which employment decisions are made and close the gap in opportunities among workers,” Ming-Qi Chu, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Women’s Rights Project, said in a statement. They do not disadvantage any particular worker. This is why they have long been held lawful.
And many companies, such as Microsoft, have reiterated their commitment to DEI programs. Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering,” Microsoft spokesperson Jeff Jones stated in July, disputing news reports that Microsoft had fired its entire DEI staff.
