Conservative Group Critiques Corporate America’s “Woke” Practices

A recent report from a conservative advocacy organization alleges that several major companies are engaging in left-leaning practices. The group, Consumers’ Research, named 7Eleven, Carhartt, DraftKings, Duluth Trading Co, Traeger, Bank of America, BlackRock, and Nike as examples of how “Woke” culture persists in corporate America. This report emerged just weeks after some Democratic leaders, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, seemed to be stepping back from the identity politics of what they called “Woke 1.0.”

Will Hild, the Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, expressed skepticism about these companies’ claims of change. He stated that, “For years, major corporations pushed political agendas on American consumers that had nothing to do with serving their customers.” Hild emphasized that, even as public backlash grows, many companies and politicians that had previously championed these causes are now trying to adopt a more moderate tone while hoping the public forgets their past stances.

According to Consumers’ Research, 7Eleven remains committed to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, declaring on its website its dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace and cultivating diverse talent. Carhartt also came under scrutiny for allegedly prioritizing DEI within its human resources structure, promoting its senior vice president of inclusion and sustainability to higher office.

Duluth Trading Co is noted for mandating DEI training for all employees, which they present as a companywide requirement. DraftKings was accused of attempting to obscure its DEI initiatives by rebranding them with a different title. In a recent announcement, the sports betting company highlighted its achievement as one of the “Best Places to Work.”

In the realm of grilling, Traeger Grills made a note of its initiatives surrounding DEI in a proxy statement and was accused of renaming its DEI goals to emphasize “inclusion and belonging.” The report suggested that Traeger evaluates its suppliers based on their adherence to environmental and social governance criteria.

The report pointed out that larger corporate giants like Bank of America, BlackRock, and Nike continue to pursue policies that align with activist agendas. Bank of America is said to have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside plans to mobilize substantial funds to support a low-carbon economy.

BlackRock reportedly merged its DEI program into its Talent and Culture department, while Nike has been criticized for its policies that favor more progressive stances on gender issues in sports. For instance, Nike’s initiatives include campaigns promoting inclusivity for transgender athletes.

No comments were received from any of the companies listed in the Consumers’ Research report at the time of publication.