MORE THAN A DOZEN ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE SIGNED A LETTER TO WALMART CEO DOUG MCMILLON URGING HIM TO RECONSIDER HIS COMPANY’S ROLL-BACKS OF ITS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS, COMMONLY CALLED DEI.
THE LETTER SAYS, “ In particular, we are concerned that
Walmart’s decision to phase out supplier diversity programs, close down the Center for Racial
Equality, end equity trainings for staff, and remove the words “diversity” and “DEI” from
company documents and employee titles risks undermining important social progress and
antidiscrimination efforts.”
WALMART IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST RETAILER. IT IS AMONG MULTIPLE COMPANIES THAT HAVE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED EITHER THE ROLLBACK OR HALTING OF DEI INITIATIVES FOLLOWING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING TO END AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT COLLEGES IN 2023. CONSERVATIVE GROUPS HAVE FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST SOME COMPANIES AND THEIR DIVERSITY-ORIENTED HIRING PRACTICES.
AS A RESULT, MCDONALDS, HARLEY-DAVIDSON, META, AMAZON, AND LOWE’S AMONG OTHERS HAVE JOINED WALMART IN ENDING THEIR DEI PROGRAMS.
Walmart’s policy changes include no longer considering race and gender when making decisions about suppliers, ending various diversity programs, and removing the words “diversity” and “DEI” from documents in favor of language about “belonging.”
THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WHO SIGNED THE LETTER ARE FROM CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, CONNECTICUT, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSECHUSETTS MINNESOTA, NEVADA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, ILLINOIS, VERMONT AND RHODE ISLAND.
THEY INSIST THAT SCALING BACK FROM DEI IS BAD FOR BUSINESS AND THAT DEI POLICIES ARE CRITICAL FOR PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITIES AND OTHER GROUPS.
THEY ARE NOW CALLING ON THE WALMART C-E-O TO RESPOND AND DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH THEM.
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