|
An
open letter signed by 19 organizations and directed at the
leaders of Fortune 1000 companies said companies that abandon
their DEI programs are shirking their fiduciary responsibility
to employees, consumers and shareholders.
The civil rights groups included the NAACP, the National
Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American
Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights
Campaign Foundation.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies, and
practices make business-sense and they’re broadly popular among
the public, consumers, and employees,” their statement read.
“But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing
activists is attempting to pressure companies into abandoning
their DEI programs.”
Companies such as Ford, Lowes, John Deere, Molson Coors and
Harley-Davidson recently announced they would pull back on their
diversity, equity and inclusion policies after facing pressure
from conservative activists who were emboldened by recent
victories in the courtroom.
Many major corporations have been examining their diversity
programs in the wake of a Supreme Court decision last year that
declared race-based affirmative action programs in college
admissions unconstitutional. Dozens of cases have been filed
making similar arguments about employers. Critics of DEI
programs say the initiatives provide benefits to people of one
race or sexual orientation while excluding others.
In their letter, the civil rights organizations, which also
included UnidosUS, the Urban League, Advocates for Trans
Equality, the National Women's Law Center and the American
Association of People with Disabilities, said divesting from DEI
would alienate a wide range of consumers.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
