Where Will You Shop?

By: E. Faye Williams
Washington Informer
https://www.washingtoninformer.com

Often people shop where it’s convenient without thinking about how their spending may be detrimental to them. While you are free to do that, we’re currently being asked to examine everything that affects us because many actions by the Trump administration demonstrate they are seeking retribution.

Many concerning changes have already begun. For instance, Trump and his party have always claimed total support for police regardless of their actions. Their union endorsed Trump, but now they feel betrayed. Some of their colleagues were killed by the very people he pardoned.

The world knew what happened Jan. 6, so Trump had to know. It didn’t matter to him. It was part of his retribution plan and led companies to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion — known as DEI. This is a racist and sexist move. The programs existed only because women and minorities historically were excluded from certain jobs and opportunities available to white men. I wonder how white women and minorities feel about what’s happened to their future opportunities. Black women have always had to be better than others to access many opportunities others have always had — and we still meet the challenges.

Companies like Target, McDonald’s and Walmart where many women and minorities shop and take their children. McDonald’s depends on children. Will people continue to take their children there?

Target has rolled back its DEI programs. They sent a memo to employees, announcing the end of three-year DEI goals and diversity programs — including some they acknowledge aim to make their workforce and merchandise better reflect their customers. They are halting reports to external groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and ending a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses. In prior years, Target officials said George Floyd’s murder in their Minneapolis hometown motivated them to strengthen DEI programs. Now this.

Most of us haven’t heard of Meta, so I can’t explain why they would roll back their DEI program. I know no one who works there, but research them and other companies that rushed to help Trump succeed with his 2025 threats aimed at women and minorities.

Look at Social Security — a federal program to help elderly people, survivors and people with disabilities. These recipients have worked — many for years. Many are relatives of the very members of Congress supporting Trump on benefit cuts. Imagine one of these supporters walking into a home saying “Grandma or Grandpa, we’re supporting Trump cutting your check next month” — the only income some have to get by. This is a cruel decision and we should withdraw support from anyone who backs it.

He has withdrawn U.S. involvement in the World Health Organization and cut scientists’ access to crucial research grants.

These decisions follow Trump’s orders immediately after his inauguration to end government DEI programs and put federal officials overseeing them on leave.

So much for progress. As a Costco shareholder, I will shop at Costco and hope you will too. They didn’t join this insulting group of companies cutting DEI. Wake up and stay woke! Not everyone seeking your business is your friend.

Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society (www.thedickgregorysociety.org).