Some consumers have pledged to boycott Target for the next 40 days, aligning with the duration of Lent, which started on February 26 and will continue through April 17. This boycott comes in response to Target’s recent decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Target announced that it would be ending its three-year DEI goals, with the termination of its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives scheduled for 2025, in addition to other initiatives.
Rev. Jamal Bryant, a prominent Atlanta-based pastor, has been vocal in urging consumers to avoid spending money at Target during this period. Bryant argues that the retailer’s decision to reduce its DEI initiatives is a betrayal of the black community, emphasizing that African Americans contribute an estimated $12 million a day in spending power. He has called for Target to demonstrate “loyalty, decency, and camaraderie” to the community, and revamp their commitment to DEI.
Bryant, the ex-husband of reality television star Gizelle Bryant and known for his long list of extramarital affairs, has a controversial history. In addition to deriding black Trump supporters, he’s also been vocal in his support of Louis Farrakhan.
The New York Post reports:
In a Sunday sermon that went viral on social media over the weekend, Bryant said, “I feel bad for them coons in the White House who are in there tap dancing for massah, wearing bow ties shimmying and grinding, laughing like nothin’ is funny.”
Target’s Chief Community Impact and Equity Officer, Kiera Fernandez, defended the company’s decision, assuring employees that Target remains committed to inclusion, and that fostering a sense of belonging for its team and customers is a core part of the company’s culture. But critics argue this shift signals a retreat from initiatives that were designed to support marginalized communities, and that financial pressure is necessary.
While this boycott is being branded as pro-black activism, black business owners that sell products at Target fear they may be adversely affected.
Beautiful Curly Me, a company that sells black dolls with textured hair at Target, took to social media to express concern that the boycott would lead to their products being removed from the retailer’s shelves. They emphasized that having products in large retail chains like Target offers significant visibility to millions of potential customers, which is crucial for their business growth.
Similarly, Lip Bar CEO Melissa Butler, who owns a lipstick company that caters to women with darker complexions, expressed her concern for the small minority businesses that could be hurt by the boycott, noting that these companies rely on large retailers like Target to gain visibility and reach a broader audience. The prospect of losing this retail opportunity as part of the boycott raises significant challenges for these entrepreneurs.
In addition to consumer boycotts, the “Target Fast” movement has emerged, calling for Target stockholders to offload their holdings in the company as part of the protest. This movement aims to gather data on how the boycott affects Target’s financial performance, intending to show the retailer’s leadership the tangible consequences of their DEI policy changes.
Target is not alone in scaling back its DEI policies. Major companies like McDonald’s, Amazon, Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Company, and Walmart have also made similar moves in the past year, especially after the reelection of President Trump. This trend reflects a broader shift in corporate America, where the push for diversity and inclusion is being reevaluated.
On Friday, February 28th, leftists participated in an “economic black out,” vowing to abstain from purchases to flex their buying power and make corporations more sympathetic to their political causes, but according to reports it was largely unsuccessful, with retailers like Amazon reporting more activity than usual.
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So the black guy is not happy color does not get the best jobs anymore? Too Bad!
Bigot.
Perhaps this political activist preacher should lose his tax exemption status.
These companies have already experienced the fiscal effects of “advancing” DEI policies. That is at least part of the reasons they are backing away. As noted, this boycott may be largely self-defeating.
Seijah, I’d like to help boycott, but haven’t been in a target store for years. Target might be closer than Wally-World, but it’s been too woke (even before woke was a thing) to support by spending my cash there.
Yet another “special group” that demands concessions. To me, demanding special treatment means that you don’t consider yourself equal to your competition. That, in itself is demeaning to all in your group that have the required talent. Better to seek further education to correct your perceived inadequacies. Alike to “Millions for defense, but not a penny for tribute!” , I prefer to spend millions for training & education and employ more competent workers. But if you bend your expectations to accept not-very-good doctors, nurses, dentists, sales reps and skilled tradesmen, that’s your choice. The most immediate risk to a boycott is that maybe nobody will notice it and you have created a PR faux pas.
“Rev. Jamal Bryant, a prominent Atlanta-based pastor“
This is not a Christian pastor the nasty thing is just a lying EVIL fool serving Satan.
Bryant is a son of Satan, not a son of the Lord God Almighty. He’s racist and is not a pastor that serves God.