Ford Joins Growing List of Companies Backing Away from DEI Initiatives
In a significant shift, more American companies are reconsidering their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, recognizing that distancing themselves from what many view as a corrupt ideology is essential to moving forward. Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker and investigative journalist, has been at the forefront of exposing these companies and their entanglement with woke policies. His efforts have already led to major corporations like Ford Motor Company, John Deere, Lowe’s, Harley Davidson, and Tractor Supply changing course.
Starbuck took to X (formerly Twitter) last Wednesday, revealing that amid his probe into Ford’s policies, the automotive giant had sent him an update outlining their recent shift. The filmmaker shared a letter from Ford CEO Jim Farley, which was addressed to company employees and discussed these policy changes in detail.
Farley remarked that Ford has “taken a fresh look at our policies and practices,” signaling a departure from their previous commitments to DEI-centered initiatives. Among the changes, Ford has vowed to stop participating in external surveys, such as the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, an annual report that measures a company’s policies, practices, and benefits pertaining to LGBTQ+ employees. Additionally, the company pledged to cease vying for positions on various “best places to work” lists, which often factor in diversity benchmarks.
Ford’s revised policies indicate a desire to shift away from engaging with “polarizing issues of the day,” with Farley emphasizing, “We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs.” This marks a significant departure from the company’s previous stance, as they navigate the evolving political and legal landscape surrounding social issues. Ford confirmed the authenticity of the letter, stating, “The communication to our global employees speaks for itself. We have nothing further to add.”
This move is part of a larger trend, as companies previously committed to DEI strategies begin to rethink their approach. Robby Starbuck has played a key role in exposing these shifts. He shared on X, “So far you’ve helped me change corporate policy at Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley Davidson, Polaris, Indian Motorcycle, Lowe’s and now Ford. We are winning and one by one we WILL bring sanity back to corporate America.”
Starbuck’s investigative work and public exposure of woke programs have contributed to a growing movement among corporations to move away from initiatives seen as catering to a select, entitled group. The backlash against DEI programs has gained momentum, with critics arguing that these policies alienate core consumers and foster division.
Jennifer Sey, a former Levi Strauss & Co. marketing executive, has also been vocal in her opposition to corporate DEI strategies. Sey, who was ousted from Levi’s after opposing California’s COVID-19 response and school closures, criticized the hypocrisy in corporate leadership. “It’s Business 101. You don’t disrespect your core consumers and you certainly don’t alienate and abandon them in the search to grow and expand elsewhere,” Sey said.
Sey’s career took a sharp turn after her dismissal from Levi’s, but she has remained committed to pushing back against wokeism, launching XX-XY Athletics and continuing to speak out against corporate policies she believes harm both companies and communities. Sey is part of a growing group of former corporate insiders who have taken a stand against what they see as the elitist, divisive nature of DEI initiatives.
As companies like Ford pivot away from these policies, the question remains whether this trend will continue, reshaping the corporate landscape and redefining how businesses engage with social and political issues.
For more updates on corporate America’s shifting priorities and the impact of anti-woke activism, stay tuned to our latest coverage.