Ford becomes latest high-profile American company to pump brakes on DEI
Ford and Other Big Brands Rethink Diversity and Inclusion
Ford Motor Company, one of America’s oldest and most iconic car makers, has joined a growing list of companies scaling back on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This shift is happening amid increasing pressure from conservative activists who are critical of these initiatives.
Recently, Ford announced that it will no longer participate in an annual survey conducted by an LGBTQ advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. This survey often ranks companies as the “best places to work” for LGBTQ employees. Ford also stated it would not use quotas for minority dealerships and suppliers. These decisions were revealed in an internal email from Ford CEO Jim Farley, who noted the changing legal and social landscape around DEI issues. “We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs,” Farley wrote.
Ford’s decision reflects a broader trend seen in other major companies. Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s, and John Deere have also made changes to their DEI initiatives. Ford, in particular, said it will now open its employee resource groups to all workers, which was not the case previously.
The move by Ford and others comes in the wake of campaigns by conservative activists, such as Robby Starbuck, who has been vocal in his opposition to DEI initiatives. Starbuck claims his activism is forcing large companies to change their policies even without direct calls for boycotts. He recently took credit for similar changes at Lowe’s and has started a campaign targeting Home Depot.
“We’re now forcing multibillion-dollar organizations to change their policies without even posting just from fear they have of being the next company that we expose,” Starbuck said.
Activists like Starbuck are part of a new wave of conservative pressure on corporate America, focusing not only on DEI but also on issues like climate change and LGBTQ+ rights. Their movement gained momentum after a Supreme Court decision last year banned affirmative action in college admissions, setting a precedent for challenging similar practices in the private sector.
Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, expressed disappointment in Ford’s decision, arguing that the company is failing its employees and customers by backing away from DEI commitments. “By failing to support women leaders, employees of color, and LGBTQ+ employees, Ford Motor Co. is abandoning its financial duty to recruit and keep top talent from across the full talent pool,” Robinson said. She also suggested that consumers should be mindful of these changes when making purchasing decisions.
While Ford and others are scaling back DEI efforts, the exact extent of the changes is still unclear. However, these moves have already sparked discussions about how companies balance social responsibility with business strategy. For activists like Starbuck, even these incremental changes are seen as victories, though he emphasized that his focus remains on pushing for more substantial shifts in corporate policies.
As corporate America continues to navigate the complex landscape of DEI, companies like Ford will likely face ongoing scrutiny from both sides of the cultural divide. Whether these changes will significantly impact their reputation, employee satisfaction, or customer loyalty remains to be seen.
Ford’s decision to step back from DEI efforts reflects a broader conversation happening across the country about the role of businesses in social and political issues. With activists on both sides pushing their agendas, the future of corporate DEI policies is uncertain. Consumers and employees alike will be watching closely to see how companies respond to these pressures in the coming months.
In the meantime, for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, the saga of corporate America’s changing DEI landscape might feel like a battle of “Wind and Truth,” as companies navigate through turbulent social currents while seeking to remain true to their core values and missions.