Another one bites the dust, as they say – home improvement company Lowe’s is the latest to axe a range of DEI initiatives, though it denies it was a response to online conservative backlash.
More Corporate DEI Changed
In recent months, Americans have seen several major companies drop their DEI policies and initiatives in the face of online conservative backlash and threats of boycott. Now, a home improvement giant has joined them.
Lowe’s Joins the List
Lowe’s, a major US home improvement retailer, has brought an abrupt end to several of the DEI – diversity, equity, and inclusion – policies it had previously championed.
Internal Company Memo
The news broke due to an internal company memo that was sent out to workers and shared with the press on Tuesday, which confirmed that the company had been reviewing its DEI programs for more than a year.
Following Supreme Court Decision
This review began in July 2023, following the US Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw affirmative action programs on college campuses.
Review Leads to Changes
The memo, which was signed by the company executive leadership team, announced a number of changes to the company’s previously established DEI initiatives as a result of the review.
Changing Resource Groups
It confirmed that Lowe’s would now combine its separate resource groups which represented “diverse sections of our associate population,” into a single conglomerate group.
No More HRC Surveys
Another significant change to the company’s framework was its participation in regular surveys for the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent national LGBTQ advocacy group that uses the data to compile an annual Corporate Equality Index.
Business Events Only
Similar to decisions made by other companies that have recently ended their DEI commitments, including Tractor Supply and John Deere, Lowe’s will also withdraw its participation and endorsement of any events that are not business-related, including Pride festivals and related events.
More Aligned With Business
The executive team said the company will now focus on projects that are more closely aligned with their business, such as safe and affordable housing initiatives and disaster relief, among others.
Still Committed to Inclusion
The memo followed up by emphasizing that Lowe’s is still committed to “inclusion,” but wanted to focus on inclusion based on merit rather than “numbers of targets.”
“Inclusion, Not Exclusion”
“We may make additional changes over time,” it said. “We believe in inclusion, not exclusion. This simply means we ensure that everyone is included and considered fairly based on merit and results. … Our hiring is not and has never been based on numbers or targets.”
Supreme Court or Online Backlash?
While Lowe’s executive team made reference to last year’s Supreme Court affirmative action ruling, some suspect that the reversal is a direct result of the same conservative online badgering that drove Tractor Supply, John Deere, and other retail companies to the same outcome.
Starbuck Claims Credit
Following the announcement, conservative commentator and notorious boycott organizer Robby Starbuck took to social media to claim credit for the corporate move.
Plans to “Expose” Lowe’s
“I messaged Lowe’s executives last week to let them know that I planned to expose their woke policies,” Starbuck wrote. “This morning I woke up to an email where they preemptively made big changes.”
Pointed Backlash
Starbuck, who helped to lead online campaigns against several other companies that have since removed their DEI policies, took aim at Lowe when a fake quote from the company’s CEO went viral.
Fake Quote Goes Viral
It started with one online netizen who attributed the quote: “If conservatives do not like our values, they should take their money to Home Depot,” to Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s CEO.
Denying the Quote
Starbuck and some of his half a million followers then turned their sights on the home improvement company, though the company swiftly spurned the fake quote in an online post, ensuring followers that “Lowe’s CEO did not make this comment.”
Rejecting Starbuck’s Claim
Lowe’s has also publicly rejected Starbuck’s claim that he had any involvement with the new announcement.
Changes Already Made
Spokesperson Steve Salazar responded to the claim in an email statement, asserting that the commentator’s email had been received after the company had “already announced changes that had long been in process.”
Where to Next?
While Lowe’s claims to have no connection to Starbucks and his followers, the online pressure campaigns against companies with progressive policies are likely far from over. Considering their recent success nudging Jack Daniels and Harley-Davidson, these anti-DEI movements may be just getting started.
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