Equity at a Crossroads: Walmart, Target, and the Fight for Justice in the Working Class
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies didn’t originate in boardrooms or as fleeting corporate buzzwords. They were forged in the heat of battles fought on picket lines, in courtrooms, and in the streets, where generations of Americans demanded equality against immense resistance. Today, these hard-won gains face a pivotal moment. As Walmart retreats from its DEI initiatives while Target doubles down on its commitment, the stakes couldn’t be higher—not just for marginalized communities but for the poor, middle, and working classes whose economic security is intrinsically tied to equity.
In this clash of corporate philosophies, Walmart’s rollback and Target’s resolve highlight a larger question: Will we continue the fight for fairness, or will we allow hard-fought progress to unravel?
The Legal Foundation of DEI: Building Equity from the Ground Up
DEI policies trace their roots to landmark legal cases and legislation that redefined the American workplace. The Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) shattered the illusion of “separate but equal,” exposing segregation as a tool of systemic oppression. This ruling paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in workplaces, schools, and public spaces. Yet even as these laws broke barriers, inequities persisted, often under the guise of “neutral” policies.
Griggs v. Duke Power Co. (1971) was a turning point. It prohibited employment practices that perpetuated disparities, even if they seemed neutral on the surface, and forced businesses to confront how their policies affected marginalized groups. Later cases like United Steelworkers v. Weber (1979) affirmed the legitimacy of affirmative action to redress racial imbalances, while Fisher v. University of Texas (2016) underscored that equity requires deliberate action, not passive neutrality. These legal milestones remind us that progress is neither automatic nor inevitable—it demands vigilance and intentionality.
Walmart’s Retreat: A Step Backward for Equity
In 2024, Walmart announced its decision to dismantle its Center for Racial Equity, a $100 million initiative launched in 2020 in the wake of national protests for racial justice. Alongside ending supplier diversity programs and withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, Walmart reframed its approach under the banner of “belonging for all.”
But this shift is deeply concerning. History has shown that rolling back equity programs often leads to the re-entrenchment of disparities. During the Reconstruction era, progress was undone when reforms were abandoned, giving rise to Jim Crow laws and deepening economic inequality. Walmart’s move mirrors this pattern, signaling a retreat from equity at a time when structural barriers remain pervasive. The company’s vague promise of “belonging” rings hollow without concrete actions to address inequities in access, opportunity, and representation.
Walmart’s retreat risks widening the gaps it once sought to close. By abandoning programs designed to support marginalized groups, it sends a message that equity is expendable—and that corporate responsibility can be sacrificed for the sake of convenience.
Target’s Resolve: Standing Firm in the Face of Adversity
In contrast, Target has doubled down on its DEI commitments, positioning itself as a model of corporate responsibility. Through its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) program, Target has pledged to increase Black representation within its workforce by 20% and invest $2 billion in Black-owned businesses by 2025. These efforts go beyond rhetoric—they represent tangible investments in the communities that sustain Target’s business.
Target has faced backlash, including shareholder lawsuits over its Pride merchandise, yet it remains resolute. Its leadership recognizes that equity isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s also good business. Diverse workforces foster innovation, and investments in marginalized communities yield long-term benefits for society as a whole. By staying the course, Target offers a blueprint for other companies navigating the challenges of equity in a polarized climate.
Equity for the Working Class: Why DEI Still Matters
The battle for equity isn’t just about corporations or marginalized groups—it’s about addressing the systemic disparities that affect the poor, middle, and working classes. Generational wealth gaps underscore the enduring need for DEI policies. The median wealth of white families stands at $188,200, compared to just $24,100 for Black families—a gap born of redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and exclusion from wealth-building opportunities like homeownership.
Health disparities paint a similarly stark picture. Black Americans have a life expectancy nearly five years shorter than white Americans, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications. Meanwhile, poverty rates show that systemic inequities transcend racial lines, with nearly 20% of Black Americans and 17% of Hispanic Americans living below the poverty line, compared to 8% of white Americans.
DEI policies are vital tools in addressing these inequalities, not as acts of charity but as investments in fairness and economic growth. According to a McKinsey study, closing the racial wealth gap could add $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy by 2028. Equity doesn’t just uplift marginalized communities—it creates stronger systems where everyone can thrive, especially those in the poor, working, and middle classes who bear the brunt of economic inequality.
Lessons from History: The Cost of Complacency
History teaches us that progress can never be taken for granted. The rollback of civil rights protections during Reconstruction led to decades of systemic oppression, proving that complacency is equity’s greatest enemy. Walmart’s retreat threatens to repeat this pattern, trading meaningful progress for vague platitudes that ignore the structural barriers millions of Americans still face.
Yet Target’s resilience offers a counter-narrative. It demonstrates how companies can wield their platforms to challenge inequities and create systems that serve not just shareholders but entire communities. Smaller businesses, too, play a critical role in this fight. Many have embraced local hiring initiatives, supplier diversity programs, and other grassroots efforts that complement the larger-scale strategies of corporate giants.
Conclusion: Choosing the Legacy of Equity
The battle for equity is far from over, and it never will be. This isn’t just about corporate trends or diversity metrics—it’s about addressing the systemic inequities that keep the poor, middle, and working classes from achieving their full potential. The courts have shown us, from Griggs to Fisher, that equity requires deliberate and sustained effort. The question is whether we will continue that fight or allow progress to falter.
As long as companies like Target choose resolve over retreat—and as long as we hold them accountable—there’s hope that the progress we’ve fought for won’t just be preserved but will flourish. It’s up to all of us—corporations, small businesses, and individuals alike—to decide the legacy we’ll leave behind: one of retreat and widening inequities or one of progress and shared prosperity for all.