Trump’s presidency has brought a plethora of changes to American politics. In just a few weeks, he’s signed off on dozens of executive orders, many of which target any attempts to diversify certain spaces or accommodate populations that have been dubbed “DEI,” or more familiarly, “woke.” This total rejection of liberal ideals and open derision toward minorities cements his administration’s commitment to far-right ideology, an abrupt but expected shift that has reverberated throughout all sectors of American life, most notably in the corporate environment.
As Trump calls for the death of diversity, equity and inclusion, huge corporations are jumping to embrace this new anti-DEI stance as well. Walmart, Meta and Target are just some of the companies with plans in place to remove diversity initiatives from their organizations, from policies about inclusive hiring, diverse sponsorships and more. Despite the timing and overall nature of these changes, said businesses offer politically neutral explanations for their decision to no longer uphold such ideals, but the ultimate motivation is far too transparent.
They couch these dissolutions as necessary consequences in the quest for better, more meritocratic practices, but the reality is that killing these programs saves them money and time: the lifeblood of these big businesses. Companies adopted these policies during politically fraught times when citizens — and more importantly, consumers — were making a fuss about idealistic things like justice and equality.
Trump’s election has emboldened them to abandon these reconciliatory motions as the political moral compass shifts far more right. In the current climate, corporations can capitalize on the change in leadership and drop the facade of valuing progressivity.
This development makes clear that these businesses have no moral backbone or interest in the betterment of the world; money is the only thing that matters, and it is the only way we as consumers can take a stance ourselves.
Choosing where and how we spend our money is the most empowering way for a consumer to showcase their displeasure and protest the policies of these multi-billion dollar enterprises. As students, we are uniquely suited to this kind of corporate opposition when exercising our spending power, and we have a duty to do so responsibly when given the opportunity.
Investing in local businesses ensures transparency in the ethical commitments and missions that are actively working to change and uplift the surrounding communities. In Chapel Hill and Carrboro, organizations prioritize ideals like DEI and sustainability not for profit maximization but out of a genuine respect for these values.
Going to Weaver Street Market, for example, helps support a cooperatively owned market by workers and consumers and means fresh, locally sourced produce and groceries; with multiple locations, it makes for a more sustainable (and socially conscious) option than going to Target or Walmart. Instead of buying Starbucks, try stopping by one of the many small, local coffee shops throughout the town. Epilogue, an independently-owned shop, is open about their support of diversity and equity with events highlighting queer stories and uplifting voices from different cultural backgrounds. Or you could visit Meantime Coffee, in an easily accessible location on campus with a longstanding pledge to sustainability and social justice, the student-run enterprise is always offering fun seasonal drinks at reasonable prices.
Choosing small businesses allocates resources to companies actively working to make a difference and uphold ethical standards. They operate with a concern for the community that big corporations simply do not possess. Making the conscious choice to support local keeps your money out of the hands of businesses that do not align with your values or care about you as a both anything more than a consumer.
