As conservatives continue their fight against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Brown-Forman Corp., the Louisville-based maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, is the latest company to bow down to pressure and abandon its DEI goals.
Conservative Push Against DEI Programs Grows
Across the country, conservatives are coming together and pressuring businesses and schools to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Origins of DEI in the Civil Rights Movement
DEI programs first began in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to the civil rights movement and its exposure to inequalities all throughout the country.
DEI Initiatives Evolved Post-George Floyd
Over the decades, DEI initiatives have continued to evolve, with the largest growth seen after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, which reignited corporate interest in these principles.
DEI: Creating Inclusive Workplaces
Daniel Oppong, founder of The Courage Collective, explained that the DEI initiative is “an attempt to try to create workplaces where more or all people can thrive.”
DEI Programs Face Conservative Boycotts
However, these programs have been slowly falling in the business world as conservatives pressure and boycott companies taking part in DEI initiatives.
Conservative Companies Abandon DEI
More conservative-leaning corporations like Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, and Deere & Co. have unsurprisingly conceded, but this wave has even extended to traditionally liberal organizations like CNN and Meta.
Criticism of DEI Programs as Partisan
Highlighting the backlash against these programs, Christopher Rufo from the Manhattan Institute wrote, “These are not neutral programs to increase demographic diversity; they are political programs that use taxpayer resources to advance a specific partisan orthodoxy.”
Brown-Forman Corp. Abandons DEI Initiatives
Now, the latest company to drop its DEI initiatives due to fears of “Go Woke, Go Broke” is Brown-Forman Corp., the maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
Company Email Outlines DEI Program Changes
Brown-Forman Corp. sent an email to employees stating that it will no longer tie executive compensation to DEI hiring targets and will stop participating in LGBTQ-friendly workplace rankings.
Shifts in Public Pressure Force Changes
In the email, the company acknowledged that they initially had high hopes for their diversity programs but have been forced to change in the light of public pressure.
Initial Ambitious DEI Goals
In their initial DEI strategy, Brown-Forman Corp. made lofty goals to diversify their staff and provide more equal opportunities for both women and people of color.
Abandoning DEI Goals Amid Cultural Shifts
However, as the change in cultural pressure has begun leaning in favor of conservative views, Brown-Forman Corp. has been forced to abandon these goals.
Adjusting Strategy to “Drive Business Results”
The company email read, “With these new dynamics at play, we must adjust our work to ensure it continues to drive business results while appropriately recognizing the current environment in which we find ourselves.”
Human Rights Campaign Criticizes Decision
One prominent voice criticizing the company’s decision is Eric Bloem, vice president of the Human Rights Campaign, who criticized businesses like Brown-Forman for making “shortsighted” decisions.
“Shortsighted” Abandonment of DEI Efforts
Bloem said that “hastily abandoning efforts that ensure fair, safe, and inclusive work environments for LGBTQ+ people based on manufactured outrage from MAGA bullies is bad business.”
Brown-Forman Silent Amid Criticism
Though Brown-Forman has not yet addressed the criticism from either side of the aisle in the wake of their recent decision, since Harley-Davidson abandoned their DEI programs, they have been forced into the same position.
Harley-Davidson Responds to DEI Backlash
In response to social media criticism, Harley-Davidson said, “We are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community.”
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