Whether disbanding or rebranding, it shows Americans are becoming more open to boycotting DEI. Brown Forman makes Jack Daniels whiskey. Their diversity, equity and inclusion department was terminated after a boycott threat. An educational institution, Michigan Technological University, joins the trend in schools that had to rebrand or rename it. A new Texas law prohibits the department.
DEI can kill
Jack Daniels issued a letter.
“[W]e launched our diversity and inclusion strategy in 2019. Since then, the world has evolved, our business has changed, and the legal and external landscape has shifted dramatically, particularly within the United States. 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.” The company would be “removing our quantitative workforce and supplier diversity ambitions; ending participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index survey; and reviewing training programs for consistency with an evolved strategy.”
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck had planned a boycott. Starbuck exposed them, saying the letter had come from “screenshot of one of the multiple folders we have on them. Overall we had well over 15GB of files, photos and videos.”
Michigan Tech has renamed it “Engagement and Belonging”.
“This change reflects Michigan Tech’s continued dedication to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the University community, while emphasizing the intentional efforts made to achieve this goal. Engagement and Belonging is excited for this next chapter and looks forward to collaborating with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners to further strengthen a sense of belonging for everyone at Michigan Tech.” Everything else will remain the same.
Harley-Davidson disbanding DEI
The motorcycle giant is removing the policy as well after hearing from conservative customers. Tractor Supply also had the policy but backed down once conservative customers started speaking up.
Harley-Davidson put out a letter. “We are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community. As a Company, we take this issue very seriously, and it is our responsibility to respond with clarity, action, and facts.”
DEI is part of the Human Rights Campaign scoring program. The feds want to make sure companies welcome people other than white conservatives. Starbuck pointed out the company’s LGBT focused initiatives, angering conservatives.
Colleges having to back out
Michigan Tech is among three schools that recently had to back away from DEI. The University of South Carolina is one of two South Carolina institutions that had to reorganize and rename that office to Division of Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement.
The other is Clemson University. Their office was renamed Division of Community Engagement, Belonging and Access.
That new Texas law saw colleges renaming, but not disbanding or changing, that office. State Senator Brandon Creighton wrote that law and saw the colleges’ slight.
“While I am encouraged with the progress I have seen from many institutions of higher education in implementing SB 17, I am deeply concerned with the possibility that many institutions may choose to merely rename their offices or employee titles.”
