Twin Cities activists on Thursday called for a nationwide boycott of Target starting Feb. 1 as a result of the retailer’s decision to scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Minneapolis-based Target announced last Friday that it would join other well-known retailers in scaling back its DEI initiatives, which included hiring and promoting more women, people of color and LGBTQ+ people.
“Target will not see a dime of our Black dollars during Black History Month or at any other time, unless and until they reverse this decision,” said Monique Cullars-Doty, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, in a news release announcing the boycott.
“We are focusing on Target first, but that does not mean other businesses should not be held accountable. We, honestly, are expecting more from Target,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, during a news conference Thursday in front of Target Corporation Headquarters in downtown Minneapolis.
A misconception about DEI is that it offers jobs to “unqualified” Black individuals, Cullars-Doty said at the event. “DEI benefits anyone who has been typically marginalized including LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.”
During his first week in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending DEI programs across the federal government. The order calls for revoking all DEI mandates, policies, preferences and activities, along with the review and revision of existing employment practices, union contracts and training policies or programs, the Associated Press reported.
“We’re not just rolling back DEI, we’re rolling back progress. By Christmas time I’m going to be three-fifths of a person again,” said Sheletta Brundidge, founder of the upcoming third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Minnesota State Capitol, in a Thursday phone call with the Pioneer Press.
Brundidge, who is also the founder and owner of podcast and production company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh, expressed frustration with the lack of solidarity in holding corporations responsible.
“I should not be here,” Brundidge said at the news conference. “You know who should be here? Where is the NAACP, the Urban League?”
Twin Cities Pride this week axed Target as a sponsor for its annual pride celebration, writing on Instagram, “Twin Cities Pride made the bold decision to part ways with Target as a sponsor, standing firm in our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity.”
By cutting ties, the organization lost $50,000 in funding from the retailer, but in just 24 hours the organization recouped its losses through donations.
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“Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride and supports vital programming like the Rainbow Wardrobe, Artist in Residence, Rainbow Feast, and so much more,” the organization said on Facebook.
Donations, which can be made at tcpride.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/17297, totaled over $91,000 on Thursday.
““We must remind the public that Minneapolis is the place where George Floyd was brutally murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department. Instead of rolling back its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Target should be leading the charge amongst corporations that are serious about racial justice and creating a more inclusive and equitable society,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR Minnesota, in the release.
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