Black faith leaders call for Target boycott for backing off diversity initiatives

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Published 6:08 a.m. ET Feb. 19, 2025 | Updated 1:47 p.m. ET Feb. 19, 2025


WASHINGTON ‒ Black faith leaders called on pastors to urge their congregations Sunday to join a 40-day boycott of Target in a campaign to push back against companies that have ditched diversity initiatives. “We've got to tell corporate America that there's a consequence for turning their back on diversity," said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. “So let us send the message that if corporate America can't stand with us, we're not going to stand with corporate America.”

The campaign is one of several by civil rights groups, faith leaders and others to target companies they say have retreated from diversity initiatives after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government. Trump has defended these efforts, saying hiring and other practices should be based purely on merit.

Diversity advocates counter that these programs benefit everyone by removing bias from hiring and promotions to ensure that everyone has an equal shot at success. Target was one of several companies to roll back its DEI initiatives after Trump signed the order. Some had begun scaling back efforts earlier.

The faith leaders launched the boycott campaign at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic Black church in Washington, D.C. The boycott would begin March 3 on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent and a 40-day period of prayer and penance leading up to Easter. “If our diversity is not good, our money isn’t good,” Jackson, bishop of the AME Church’s Second District, told hundreds Monday at Metropolitan.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/19/churchgoers-40-day-boycott-target-dei/79064355007/

[JustAnotherGen]

1. They are waaaaay behind on this

Black folks who aren't religious have been doing this for a month.

Glad to see they are onboard with us.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I think right after Target made their decision, a bunch of black businesses started panicking

and were interviewed by the media about how they were afraid they would lose business, especially if the store were boycotted.

I expect that is why they waited and perhaps consulted with them before going ahead.

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. I'm commited to a minimum 4 year boycott subject to change in store policy.

[cstanleytech]

4. I'd also pressure any celebrities that do business with Target as well.

[Libloom]

5. Why not Amazon and walmart

They also pulled back their DEI programs. Not sure why Target is the focus other than they tried being somewhat liberal leaning in the past.

Conservatives have been beating up on Target for years and now we're doing it too. I really don't get hating on everyone not pure enough. Hate on Amazon. They've fucked over way more people.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. I expect because they had a very strong relationship/partnership with Target

more so than any of the others and tends to have a strong presence in or near minority urban communities. Then Target suddenly caved to the RW nonsense - including before the election when they started pulling back again on Pride Month merch after removing it the year before in 2023 - Target scales back on its LGBTQ+ merchandise ahead of Pride Month 2024

So basically, they represent a "brick and mortar" business for these communities. Amazon is mainly online and Walmart does not have the same level of minority (store location) community access.

[Cha]

6. Excellent! TY & Bishop Reginald T. Jackson & the Black Faith Leaders!

Black faith leaders called on pastors to urge their congregations Sunday to join a 40-day boycott of Target in a campaign to push back against companies that have ditched diversity initiatives. “We've got to tell corporate America that there's a consequence for turning their back on diversity," said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson.

Deep Shame on Target bowing under the Mad Rabid "king" Nazi Fuck.

I went in the new Target here once.. didn't like it... and this was Beofree all this shite want down.