Staff Reports
The Rev. Al Sharpton, known for his flair for the dramatic and ability to stir up crowds, recently orchestrated a “buy-in” at Costco’s Harlem location to celebrate the retailer’s rejection of an anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) proposal. This spectacle was not just any shopping trip; it was a full-blown theatrical event where a hundred of Sharpton’s National Action Network members joined him to show solidarity with Costco’s commitment to their controversial DEI policies.
The incident came hot on the heels of Costco shareholders dismissing a proposal brought forth by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which aimed to scrutinize the potential dangers linked to the company’s DEI strategies. Apparently, the idea of providing a report on the perils of diversity initiatives was a bridge too far for Costco’s shareholders. In a world where good business sense sometimes gets thrown out the window for the sake of virtue-signaling, Costco’s commitment to keeping its DEI policies intact has certainly made it a target of both admiration and criticism.
Leading a buy-in with 100+ @NationalAction members at the @Costco location in Harlem, NYC to show support for the company’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This comes as DEI policies face growing attacks from both President Trump and the private… pic.twitter.com/D2eYTeAZlV
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 25, 2025
Sharpton proudly announced his grand shopping excursion, justifying the trip as a way to reward Costco for standing firm in the face of opposition. However, the fact that he funded a shopping spree with gift certificates might raise an eyebrow or two about who exactly benefits from this so-called support. Nevertheless, in Sharpton’s grand narrative, he positioned himself as a champion for those who supposedly feel marginalized, using Costco’s corporate strategy as another soapbox for his agenda.
The narrative thickened during Sharpton’s sermon on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, where he threatened companies that dared to stray from their DEI commitments. His fiery rhetoric suggested a return to the metaphorical “back of the bus” treatment of minorities if DEI initiatives were to face further scrutiny or elimination. This tone not only implies a threat but also reflects a deep-seated belief in the necessity of DEI as an ideological weapon against perceived systemic injustices. Whether businesses truly believe in these initiatives or feel pressured into compliance is a matter for debate, but the backlash has certainly incentivized a few to rethink their strategies.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s previous executive orders have set off a chain reaction in the corporate world, with many companies, including McDonald’s and Facebook, opting to dismantle their DEI frameworks. Contrast that with Costco’s decision to remain committed to DEI, and it begins to look like they’re playing a high-stakes game. Sharpton’s attempt to rally support may not be an endearing gesture toward the average customer who simply wants a rotisserie chicken at a fair price. As the National Center for Public Policy Research hints at the possibility of a corporate retreat from DEI by year’s end, the landscape of diversity initiatives continues to morph under the gaze of public scrutiny and shareholder interests.
