Tech giants Meta and Amazon are ending their diversity programs as part of a broader corporate trend to roll back initiatives criticized by conservatives. The moves come days after Meta ended its fact-checking program, also under fire from President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans.
Meta cited a “shifting legal and policy landscape” in a memo to staff, stating it would no longer consider diverse candidates for hiring or supplier selection. Amazon plans to wind down outdated programs related to representation and inclusion by 2024, aiming for more inclusive culture through proven outcomes.
Financial firms JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock also dropped out of climate change risk groups this week. The backlash against diversity efforts began after the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and has been fueled by court decisions invalidating programs aimed at addressing racial disparities.
Conservatives have accused companies of “woke” activism, leading to boycotts and threats of political punishment. Meta’s decision was met with criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups, which argue that workplace inclusion policies attract top talent and drive business growth.
The shift reflects a growing trend as Republicans target firms for perceived progressive activism, including Disney and Bud Light. Mark Zuckerberg said he is now better prepared to set company policies, citing the US government’s attacks on his platform.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmy7xpw3pyo