My Problems With The Economic Blackout

           All us Americans of a certain moral persuasion - myself included - are in favor of diversity, equity, and inclusion as policy in our country's institutions and  corporations. We're frustrated as hell that so many businesses have dropped their DEI initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive workforce and a more welcoming culture to a diverse population of consumers. We all want to do something about it.
       But there's a difference between doing something serious and meaningful and right and doing something simplistic and off the mark just to have the feeling of doing something.
           Which brings me to the economic blackout promoted by an organization called the People's Union USA that those of us who support DEI have been encouraged to abide by today.  All this day we're not supposed to buy anything from anywhere  to show retailers and politicians that We the People control the economy and that if businesses won't do the right thing then they'll feel our unhappiness on their bottom line.
           Not that this might not be an effective approach and not that I'm categorically against it. But this particular boycott feels off to me. I have problems with it.
        First of all, why are we supposed to boycott all business, even those who've stood up to pressure from Donald Trump and the right wing and stayed committed to their diversity, equity and inclusion principles? ​

           Why are we supposed punish those businesses, too? 
           But here's another thought: It's one thing to boycott businesses, such as Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A and Home Depot, that are publicly anti-diversity and/or anti-LGBTQ rights. But should we really be just as harsh on businesses that embraced DEI initiatives - and in a safer world would still be embracing them -  but dropped them under duress, pressure and threats by Donald Trump and MAGA world? 

​      I know I shouldn't feel sorry for a corporation, but I feel sorry for Target. Back in 2016 Target stood up brave and strong for the LGBTQ community in the face of  a million pledges by Christians with The American Family Association to boycott Target.

​        Here's a blog I wrote about it:
​
          https://www.ailantha.com/blog/right-on-target-and-starbucks

      Target even introduced  a Pride Month Collection.

      But conservative economic backlash forced Target to pull back its pride collection. So Target suffered economically for standing up for DEI. And now Target is suffering economically for dropping DEI, not from desire to do so, but from coercion.
       The thing is, I'm afraid that, between economic boycotts from the right being for too diverse, equitable and inclusive and from the left for being not diverse, equitable and inclusive enough, Target may end up closing altogether. And I don't want Target to close. Because I like Target.
         Which doesn't exactly bring me back to my point, but here's my point, anyway: You may be all for standing up for diversity, equity, and inclusion if all you are asked is to not shop for a day now and then. But suppose that standing up for DEI would put you and your family at financial risk. possibly even bankruptcy? Then would you be so bravely standing up for DEI, as you are demanding that American businesses do?
         Something to think about.

​References:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/economic-blackout-feb-24-hour-february-28-2025-peoples-union/

https://finance.alot.com/business/10-us-companies-committed-to-dei-and-10-who-dropped-their-dei-policies--22210