In a move that has sparked widespread discussion, Ford Motors announced on Wednesday that it is discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program.
The automotive giant also stated that it will no longer participate in an LGBTQ+ ranking system, a decision that has been met with approval from a number of consumers. Ford's decision aligns with a growing trend among U.S. corporations to abandon DEI initiatives, a response to conservative consumers who argue that such programs foster division and discriminatory identity politics.
According to The Post Millennial, Ford CEO Jim Farley addressed the company's employees in a memo, stating, "We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, and the external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve." This decision by Ford is not an isolated incident. Other prominent corporations, including JPMorgan Chase and Harley Davidson, have also announced policy changes, with Lowe's, the hardware superstore, joining the shift this week.
The surge in corporate DEI programs was largely triggered by the death of George Floyd and the ensuing riots, which underscored the persistent issues of racial and gender inequality in America. However, companies are now reconsidering the imposition of DEI programs on their workforce. This reconsideration has been particularly pronounced in instances where companies face potential boycotts, as was the case with Jack Daniel's parent company, or when confronted with shareholder letters arguing that DEI programs amount to illegal discrimination and a violation of the corporations duty to investors.
The debate over DEI training and policies has intensified in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2023, which terminated affirmative action programs in university admissions. While DEI supporters argue that such programs facilitate fairer hiring and promotion of minorities, critics maintain that they foster division and discrimination.
In his memo, Farley indicated that Ford, Americas oldest automobile maker, would redirect its focus towards more traditional goals such as satisfying employees, customers, and stockholders, rather than "publicly commenting on the polarizing issues of the day."
Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who has spearheaded the campaign against companies with DEI policies, obtained the memo and responded, Big news: We were in the middle of investigating woke policies @Ford but this morning Ford confirmed to me that theyre making changes. This isn't everything we want but it's a great start. We're now forcing multi-billion dollar organizations to change their policies.
In addition to these changes, Ford has postponed the launch of its electric truck, following a reduction in EV-150s due to low consumer demand. Instead, the company plans to focus on offering an all-hybrid lineup to consumers by 2030. This decision underscores Ford's commitment to aligning its strategies with consumer preferences and market demands.
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