As I saw the Big Tech folks at the Inauguration event, I’ve seen some decide to cut or reduce their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. I loved that Apple re-affirmed its support of DEI. The whole thing made me wonder though.

“Is it time for a boycott of those technologies?” Then I asked myself, “What happens if I review every entity that touches my life (hey, as many as I could of think of in the time I had to write this blog entry), and ask whether they have a DEI policy or not?”

Could having a DEI policy be that important and be relied upon as criteria for boycotting a business if NOT?

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AI-Generated Content inside these horizontal bars

Why DEI is Important

The following is a definition of DEI via AI:

Definition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Diversity: Diversity refers to the presence of differences within a group or organization. These differences can include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status. Diversity aims to create an environment where various perspectives and experiences are represented and valued.

Equity: Equity involves ensuring fairness and justice by addressing systemic disadvantages and providing equal opportunities for all individuals. Unlike equality, which focuses on treating everyone the same, equity acknowledges that different people have different needs and circumstances, and aims to level the playing field by providing resources and support tailored to those needs.

Inclusion: Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that diverse individuals feel valued, respected, and fully integrated into a group or organization. It involves creating an environment where everyone has a sense of belonging and can fully participate and contribute. Inclusion goes beyond mere representation and focuses on the quality of interactions and experiences within a diverse setting.

Why Some Want to Ban DEI

These reasons are via AI, as well.

There are several reasons why some individuals or groups might advocate for banning DEI initiatives:

1. Political and Ideological Differences: Some people view DEI as a politically charged concept that aligns with certain ideologies they oppose. They may see DEI as promoting a particular political agenda rather than fostering genuine inclusion and fairness.
2. Perceived Reverse Discrimination: Critics argue that DEI initiatives can lead to reverse discrimination, where efforts to promote equity for underrepresented groups result in unfair treatment of other groups. They believe that focusing on equity can disadvantage those who are not part of the targeted groups.
3. Concerns About Meritocracy: Some argue that DEI initiatives undermine meritocracy by prioritizing diversity and equity over individual qualifications and achievements. They believe that opportunities should be based solely on merit, without consideration of demographic factors.
4. Resource Allocation: There are concerns about the allocation of resources for DEI programs. Critics may argue that funds and efforts could be better spent on other initiatives that benefit a broader range of people.
5. Cultural and Social Resistance: In some communities or organizations, there may be cultural or social resistance to change. People may be uncomfortable with the idea of acknowledging and addressing systemic inequalities, preferring to maintain the status quo.
6. Misunderstanding of DEI Concepts: Some opposition stems from a lack of understanding or misinterpretation of what DEI entails. People may have misconceptions about the goals and methods of DEI initiatives, leading to resistance.
7. Fear of Conflict: DEI initiatives often involve addressing sensitive and controversial topics, which can lead to conflict and discomfort. Some people may prefer to avoid these issues to maintain harmony, even if it means ignoring underlying problems.
8. Legal and Regulatory Concerns: In some cases, there may be legal or regulatory concerns about implementing DEI policies, especially in environments where affirmative action or similar initiatives are contentious or restricted by law.

AI-Generated Content inside these horizontal bars

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A Decision

In light of recent reports about organizations scaling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, I have decided to reassess where I spend my time, energy, and money. DEI is not just a buzzword; it is a commitment to creating spaces where everyone—regardless of their background—can thrive.

After careful consideration, I have chosen to do either a partial or full boycott of companies that have reduced their DEI initiatives. This decision stems from a firm belief that maintaining robust DEI efforts is essential for building a fair and inclusive society. Companies that fail to prioritize these principles not only miss an opportunity to lead but also risk fostering environments that exclude marginalized voices.

My actions will focus on:

• Prioritizing businesses that actively uphold DEI values—supporting companies that demonstrate leadership and integrity in this area.
• Reducing or discontinuing use of services from companies scaling back DEI efforts, unless there are no viable alternatives for essential needs.
• Engaging directly with organizations whose DEI commitments have diminished to voice my concerns and urge them to reinvest in these critical initiatives.
• This is not a decision I make lightly, as I understand that companies face various pressures. However, I believe it is our collective responsibility as consumers to hold organizations accountable for their choices and to reward those that actively work toward equity and inclusion.

I encourage others to join me in reflecting on where we direct our resources and how our spending can shape a better future. Every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of world we want to see. Let’s make those votes count.

Together, we can advocate for meaningful change.

Wait, I can’t Boycott [VendorName]

If you are having problems considering boycotting a specific vendor, I’m right there with you. Consider a partial boycott.

Amazon

For me, that vendor would be Amazon. I currently subscribe to:

• Amazon Prime
• Amazon Kindle Unlimited
• Amazon Prime Video
• Amazon Music
• Audible

Amazon has made it difficult to cut ties with them. So, I’m going for a partial boycott. I will keep Kindle Unlimited and Audible. Over time, I will slowly walk away from those. Even if I listened to my entire Audible collection again, that would be years of listening…and who doesn’t love to read books a second time?

Spectrum

Another vendor that I can’t boycott at all is Spectrum. It’s my mobile AND data provider, and has done a great job with both. There’s no way I’m switching to AT&T. If only T-Mobile had not had so many data breaches.

As you might imagine, it’s going to take a while to put these boycotts in place.

What YES, NO, REDUCED mean

Here is an explanation of what each label means. The one to take a hard look at is the REDUCED list.

• YES: The organization actively maintains and supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives without evidence of scaling back.
• No info available: There is no publicly available information about the organization’s DEI policies or actions, and no indication of reductions or changes.
• Reduced: The organization has scaled back, discontinued, or significantly altered its DEI initiatives, as publicly reported.

The List

This list is subject to change or get updated.

Automotive

• Ford Motor Company: Reduced (2023)
• Gunn Nissan: YES
• Harley-Davidson: Reduced (2024)
• John Deere: Reduced (2024)
• Mac Haik Toyota: No info available

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Book Retailers

• Half Price Books: No info available

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Education Associations

• ASCD: YES
• ISTE: YES
• TCEA: No info available

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Educational Institutions

• Cotulla ISD: No info available
• Edgewood ISD: No info available
• Harlandale ISD: No info available
• Northside ISD: No info available
• San Antonio ISD: YES
• University of Missouri: Reduced (2024)

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Hospitality and Hotels

• Choice Hotels: YES
• Hilton: YES
• IHG: YES

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Restaurants and Food Chains

• LongHorn Steakhouse: No info available
• McDonald’s: Reduced (2023)
• Saltgrass Steak House: No info available
• Sea Island: No info available
• Texas Roadhouse: No info available
• Whataburger: YES

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Retail and Consumer Goods

• Home Depot: YES
• Kohl’s: YES
• Lowe’s: Reduced (2024)
• Tractor Supply Company: Reduced (2024)
• Walmart: Reduced (2024)

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Streaming/Video Services

• Fandango: YES
• Hulu: YES
• Netflix: YES
• Paramount: YES
• Peacock: YES
• Roku: YES

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Technology and AI

• Amazon: Reduced (2024)
• Anthropic: YES
• Apple: YES
• Google: YES
• Mistral: No info available
• OpenAI: YES
• Perplexity: No info available
• Slack: YES
• Spectrum: Reduced (2024)

Potential Boycott Candidates on the Reduced List

It’s funny, I tried to get ChatGPT to give me a list of companies to boycott based on criteria but it could only generate an error. It handled everything up to that point quite well (and everything after), but balked at producing a boycott list.

So, I appealed to Mistral and obtained these results:

Company Name	Industry	2022 Record	2023 Record	2024 Record	Boycott Recommendation
Amazon	Technology and AI	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
Ford Motor Company	Automotive	–	Reduced	–	Boycott
Harley-Davidson	Automotive	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
John Deere	Automotive	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
Lowe’s	Retail and Consumer Goods	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
McDonald’s	Restaurants and Food Chains	–	Reduced	–	Boycott
Spectrum	Technology and AI	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
Tractor Supply Company	Retail and Consumer Goods	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
University of Missouri	Educational Institutions	–	–	Reduced	Boycott
Walmart	Retail and Consumer Goods	–	–	Reduced	Boycott

Should I boycott them?

To determine whether I should boycott the businesses, I decided to employ the ETHICAL framework. Here is it’s reasoning:

Let’s apply the ETHICAL Decision-Making Model to your question about boycotting services with reduced DEI efforts. This will help you systematically assess the implications and develop an informed course of action.

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1. Engage Stakeholders

The decision to boycott involves various parties:

• You (and any others participating in the boycott): Personal and ethical satisfaction.
• Organizations being boycotted: Potential revenue loss and public reputation impact.
• DEI advocates: Support for their work by reinforcing DEI’s importance.
• Employees and customers of these companies: Potential impacts on their jobs or services.
• Broader community: Awareness and cultural shifts regarding DEI.

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2. Think Emotionally and Logically

• Emotionally: Frustration and disappointment with companies reducing DEI initiatives may drive the desire for action. However, empathy is important for understanding organizational constraints and employee perspectives.
• Logically: Consider the effectiveness of boycotting. Will it lead to meaningful change? Could it inadvertently harm employees or services you value?

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3. Harmonize Perspectives

• Your viewpoint: Committed to supporting DEI initiatives and holding companies accountable.
• Organizational perspective: Companies reducing DEI may cite economic challenges, political pressures, or shifting priorities.
• DEI advocates: Likely view boycotting as a tool to pressure companies.
• Employees: May feel caught between corporate decisions and public backlash.

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4. Investigate Options

Options for action:

1. Boycott all “Reduced” companies.
2. Pros: Sends a strong message supporting DEI.
3. Cons: Potential unintended consequences, like harming employees who may already be marginalized.
4. Limit usage (e.g., REDUCED tier companies for non-essential services only).
5. Pros: Balances ethical concerns and personal needs.
6. Cons: May dilute the impact of the boycott.
7. Continue using their services but advocate for DEI initiatives directly.
8. Pros: Maintains access while still promoting change.
9. Cons: May not send as strong a public signal.
10. Focus boycotts on specific industries or companies with the most publicized reductions (e.g., Ford or Walmart).
11. Pros: Targeted pressure could yield more tangible results.
12. Cons: Less comprehensive.

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5. Collaborate on Recommendations

Based on the analysis, a balanced recommendation might be:

• Prioritize supporting YES companies: Reward those with strong DEI commitments.
• Engage with REDUCED companies: Write to express concerns and encourage DEI reinvestment.
• Consider partial boycotts: Avoiding REDUCED companies for discretionary spending while allowing essential use.

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6. Authorize Decision

You hold the final authority to determine your own actions. Consider gathering insights from like-minded peers or DEI-focused groups to refine your approach.

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7. Launch Implementation

To put your decision into action:

1. Draft a personal or public statement clarifying your stance and intended actions.
2. Inform companies of your reasons for boycotting or reducing usage.
3. Share your plan to encourage others to support DEI initiatives.