Target’s diversity chief says ‘white women’ need to take action against systemic racism and denounce ‘transgressions’ in post-George Floyd world — as retail giant tank $12.5 billion in value amid botched Pride merchandise
- Keira Fernandez, Target’s chief diversity officer, made the comment earlier this year in the context of Target’s shifting demographics
- Fernandez, who has worked at the retail giant for 22 years, said: ‘One of the hardest things in the world to be black every day’
Target’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer has suggested that “white women” should help address systemic racism in the workplace.
Keira Fernandez made the comment earlier this year in the context of Target’s changing demographic shifts, encouraging white women to speak out against violations “so that the woman of color in the room doesn’t always have to.”
She then spoke to a white person on the panel, claiming that their voice “would be heard differently than mine.”
Fernandez said, “And that’s why we’re doing this work. That’s why it’s so important to have this conversation.
“But we also can’t ignore the systemic history that got us here and then, the things we need to do differently to break down those barriers. Use your voice.’
Keira Fernandez has worked for Target for 22 years and is currently the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Fernandez made the comment earlier this year in the context of Target’s changing demographic shifts, encouraging white women to speak out against violations “so that the woman of color in the room doesn’t always have to”
Keira Fernandez has led Target’s Racial Equity Action and Change initiative to accelerate the company’s diversity, equality and inclusion efforts, especially after the death of George Floyd in 2020.
The retail giant pledged to increase the number of black employees they have and to spend more than $2 billion on black brands by 2025.
Fernandez, who has been with the company for 22 years, said in a separate interview, “One of the hardest things about being in the world is to be black every day. One of the hardest things to be in the world every day is being a woman.”
Then she said in a panel discussion, “I think the most important thing I would encourage white women is to [Diversity, equity, and Inclusion] learn, and use your voice so that the woman of color in the room doesn’t always have to be the woman calling the offense.”
Target has lost billions of dollars in market cap in the space of a few days as it continues to face backlash for a rollout of Pride apparel currently on display in its stores. Pictured: The Pride collection at Target
The retail giant describes Fernandez as: “A dedicated diversity advocate who excites, inspires and challenges the lens through which we view and practice diversity, so that we can all grow the circle together with shared accountability and accountability.”
This comes after Target lost more than $12.5 billion in market cap in the space of 14 days — while still facing backlash for Pride-themed merchandise.
Prior to the controversy — which stems from an LGBTQ-focused apparel campaign touting “tuck-friendly” bathing suits and pro-trans T-shirts for kids — Target shares traded for $160.96, giving the retailer a market value of about $74. .3 billion. .
By the time the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closed on Friday, the blue-chip stock was trading at $138.93 — a market valuation of $64.2 billion and a loss of $10.1 billion.
The sum also represents the superstore’s lowest market value in an entire year – all achieved in a matter of days as customers swear off its products in response.
Meanwhile, Target’s stock prices continued to fall for the eighth consecutive day Tuesday as the retailer faces its biggest loss streak in five years.
Shares fell 3.66 percent on Tuesday amid widespread backlash over the Pride display, which included “crease-friendly” women’s swimwear.
Tuesday’s losses put the stock on its longest loss streak since November 2018, according to FOX Business, with shares at a 52-week low of $133.88 — down nearly 15 percent over the month.
Conservatives and moderates alike have been boycotting Target since it was revealed last week that the retailer was selling clothing with LGBTQ-friendly slogans like “Trans People Will Always Exist!”, “Gay” and “Live Laugh Lesbian.”