ultimateimp – Meta and Amazon have announced significant reductions in their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, aligning with a broader trend among U.S. corporations scaling back such efforts. The changes reflect growing legal and political pressures, particularly following recent conservative criticisms and a shifting policy landscape.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Recently informed staff about its decision to discontinue diversity-focused hiring, supplier, and training programs. In a memo, the company cited the evolving legal and political environment. Including a Supreme Court ruling on race-based college admissions. It also acknowledged that the term “DEI” has become politically contentious. While Meta emphasized its continued commitment to diverse hiring. It will no longer rely on the current approach of selecting candidates from a diverse pool.
Amazon has similarly announced plans to wind down its existing representation and inclusion programs by the end of 2024. In a December memo, Amazon’s VP of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, Candi Castleberry. Stated that the company aims to replace outdated initiatives with proven programs fostering a more inclusive culture.
These announcements follow moves by other major companies like Walmart and McDonald’s, which have similarly adjusted their DEI strategies since Donald Trump’s re-election. The rollback also comes shortly after Meta ended its fact-checking program. Frequent target of criticism from Trump and Republican lawmakers.
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Corporate Giants Scale Back DEI and Climate Initiatives Amid Political and Legal Pushback
Financial firms like JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock recently withdrew from groups focused on climate change risks. Marking a significant shift in corporate strategies as companies face mounting political and legal scrutiny. This retreat highlights an accelerating trend driven by conservative backlash against initiatives perceived as “woke” activism. With firms like BlackRock and Disney frequently targeted.
Major brands such as Bud Light and Target have faced boycotts over their LGBTQ-focused campaigns. Fueling the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Many DEI programs were initially launched in response to the global reckoning following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Corporations sought to address systemic inequality.
Recent court rulings have emboldened critics of DEI initiatives, claiming they promote discrimination. In 2023, the Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions policies at private universities, while a federal appeals court invalidated a Nasdaq rule requiring companies to diversify their boards or provide explanations.
Meta has also announced a significant reduction in its DEI programs, ending partnerships with diverse suppliers and replacing “equity and inclusion” training with broader programs designed to mitigate bias. Instead, the company plans to prioritize collaborations with small and medium-sized businesses. These changes come as part of a broader restructuring of Meta’s internal and external initiatives, aimed at aligning with evolving legal and social landscapes.
While Meta declined to comment, the move has drawn mixed reactions. Conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has led campaigns against similar policies at other major corporations, celebrated the decision, viewing it as a victory against what he considers progressive overreach.
Meta Faces Backlash Over Policy Changes Amid DEI Rollback and Fact-Checking Controversy
LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has criticized Meta’s recent decisions to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, emphasizing the importance of workplace inclusion for attracting and retaining top talent. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, stated that such policies are “directly tied to long-term business growth.” Hawkins added, “Those who abandon these commitments are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.”
Meta’s rollback of DEI programs follows its decision to end a fact-checking initiative criticized by former President Donald Trump and other conservatives. In a move that has drawn further scrutiny, the company has also elevated conservative figures to key leadership roles. These changes come amid increasing political and legal pressure on corporations perceived to support progressive agendas.
In a recent interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reflected on the company’s role as a moderator of content, particularly during politically sensitive periods like the 2016 election and the COVID-19 pandemic. Zuckerberg admitted feeling “ill-prepared” to act as an arbiter of truth, describing the growing demands to censor content as unreasonable, especially during the Biden administration. He cited pressure to remove statements about vaccine side effects as a turning point.
Zuckerberg argued that such pressures contributed to a broader political backlash against Meta and his personal views on the issue. He expressed frustration with the lack of government support for the U.S. tech industry, noting, “The U.S. government should be defending its companies, not leading the charge against them. When the U.S. does that to its tech industry, it’s open season for attacks from the rest of the world.”
