Major corporations, including Mastercard, Meta, and Coca-Cola, are quietly sponsoring a Canadian conference headlined by Christopher Rufo, a far-right activist and crusader against diversity initiatives.
Promoting themselves as dull and unaware and prejudiced against all that is alive with WOKEness sounds like a sure way to become unpopular and ignored. Apparently these companies and the socially inept Mark Zuckerberg (who developed FaceBook to learn how to connect with socially popular success) want to be included in every movement that may become popular. I'm glad that Popular Information is confronting these silver and gold donors to the boring and pitiful causes of Christopher Rufo. Thanks for your contribution, Rebecca Crosby.
The recent DYNAMIC talent filled DNC must cause chagrin and shock to these boring conservative activists (and look how Ron DeSantis petered out!). The Democrat National Convention is a showcase for what America can be grateful and feel proud about--we have a multitude of wide awake talent.
On the one hand I could say diversity of thought is a good thing to support, but the hypocrisy of saying one thing, e.g., DEI is a strength of our company, and core to what we do, and a strategic advantage, and doing another by sponsoring a conference that claims DEI is woke and weak and ruining schools and companies and anyone who supports it, is just a bridge too far for me. No wonder they won't comment on it--what would they say, hey, we're hypocrites and proud of it?
Thank you for bringing this to light, please do everything possible to move this into the national spotlight. These companies and other institutions cannot be allowed to hide behind a smokescreen of lies and deceptions of their true DEI initiatives.
I agree! Get these stories out there. Judd, it is time that you became a contributor to the NYT editorial section. Once a month or so, write an editorial revealing one or some of your investigative findings. These corporations (and other wrongdoers) should be exposed for the big fat liars they are.
Now what WE need to do is spread the information Judd provided, and start hitting these corps where they'll pay attention - the pocketbook. Public boycotts just might get their attention.
Not just liars, these corporations exploit us and would love to enslave us all. Take a step back, the conspiracy becomes apparent and the greed and cruelty is appalling. Make no mistake, we are dealing with monsters.
No surprise for us Canadians that the conference is held in Alberta. That’s the MAGA land of Canada. They would have a hard time holding it anywhere else.
I am always surprised and taken back by both how pervasive the propaganda machine is and by the absolute doublespeak they shamelessly support. No doubt, they are afraid to lose the money from either side. Wouldn’t it be better if they did not take a political position either way? How about investing all that wasted money in your workers and their needs, and making your product better; healthier, less environmentally damaging packaging, etc. These companies are bogus bunch and forever self-serving. Sadly, it just doesn’t have to be this way.
I don't see the problem with corporations supporting two different ideas, that's what makes America great. But when any of those ideas are based in racial animosity, misogyny and white supremacy, then NO. Just say, "No, this company of human beings has decided that you (Rufo or others), do not deserve our money or sponsorship because you spread hate.".
So simple. And the corporations save their gold or silver donation cash.
Well, eye opening piece to start my day. But, infuriating to think about our corporate “friends” supporting fascist Rufo. Did they really think they could get this by without normies noticing?
Shout it from the rooftops. Big Pro-Monoply, Pro-Consolidation, Pro-Plutocracy Business is in the tank for Trump and Co. They want what he promises. This would be glaringly obvious if we had a real media reporting real news. But the MSM (one of them - in aggregate) plays look the other way. What would we do without PI?
MSM is treating much of the critical issues of our time like a magic act, watch the shining object over there while the real issues are happening over here behind the smoke screen we have built up.
They specialize in redefining words, like “conservative”. Chris Rufo got his start redefining Critical Race Theory to make it a political weapon. It was deliberate and successful. Now he makes big $$ from doing more of the same.
Thank you for reporting on this. I feel helpless in the face of corporate corruption and the true values that they stand for, but I will spread the word, not just here but to the German press.
Another great exposé, Judd. These companies will always justify such equivocal giving, but it won’t pass muster as a political stand. Coke was founded in Atlanta at the turn of the 20th century. No way was it “always” supportive of DEI.
The extraordinary political clout of these major corporations demonstrates why only aggressive government prosecution through anti-trust laws can rein in the corporate power. We consumers are often called upon to boycott such companies, but given the market share they control it is nigh impossible. I have not darkened the doorstep of Walmart and Hobby Lobby since I understood their positions and practices. The only benefit has been to my conscience. But avoiding products of food conglomerates is much more difficult. I believe reform can only come through the power of government. We must elect those who would pry the greedy grip of corporations off our throats.
Corporations are, by definition, non-living entities who have far more rights than they deserve. These dead things are served by Boards and Executives who act as if they have absolutely no control over what the Monster does. Through those humans the monster buys influence in governments around the world so that they can steal and pollute as much as they want. They are completely amoral and unempathetic. Why would you possibly believe anything that they say except when they say they're going to lay people off. That usually happens very efficiently.
Wow. Well done. THIS is why I’m a proud paid subscriber. The work you do is GLORIOUS. Sad that it is so essential.
Promoting themselves as dull and unaware and prejudiced against all that is alive with WOKEness sounds like a sure way to become unpopular and ignored. Apparently these companies and the socially inept Mark Zuckerberg (who developed FaceBook to learn how to connect with socially popular success) want to be included in every movement that may become popular. I'm glad that Popular Information is confronting these silver and gold donors to the boring and pitiful causes of Christopher Rufo. Thanks for your contribution, Rebecca Crosby.
The recent DYNAMIC talent filled DNC must cause chagrin and shock to these boring conservative activists (and look how Ron DeSantis petered out!). The Democrat National Convention is a showcase for what America can be grateful and feel proud about--we have a multitude of wide awake talent.
On the one hand I could say diversity of thought is a good thing to support, but the hypocrisy of saying one thing, e.g., DEI is a strength of our company, and core to what we do, and a strategic advantage, and doing another by sponsoring a conference that claims DEI is woke and weak and ruining schools and companies and anyone who supports it, is just a bridge too far for me. No wonder they won't comment on it--what would they say, hey, we're hypocrites and proud of it?
They could. We'll do it for them.
Thank you for bringing this to light, please do everything possible to move this into the national spotlight. These companies and other institutions cannot be allowed to hide behind a smokescreen of lies and deceptions of their true DEI initiatives.
I agree! Get these stories out there. Judd, it is time that you became a contributor to the NYT editorial section. Once a month or so, write an editorial revealing one or some of your investigative findings. These corporations (and other wrongdoers) should be exposed for the big fat liars they are.
Now what WE need to do is spread the information Judd provided, and start hitting these corps where they'll pay attention - the pocketbook. Public boycotts just might get their attention.
Not just liars, these corporations exploit us and would love to enslave us all. Take a step back, the conspiracy becomes apparent and the greed and cruelty is appalling. Make no mistake, we are dealing with monsters.
No surprise for us Canadians that the conference is held in Alberta. That’s the MAGA land of Canada. They would have a hard time holding it anywhere else.
I didn’t know that. Interesting.
Great reporting. Thank you for your work!
I am always surprised and taken back by both how pervasive the propaganda machine is and by the absolute doublespeak they shamelessly support. No doubt, they are afraid to lose the money from either side. Wouldn’t it be better if they did not take a political position either way? How about investing all that wasted money in your workers and their needs, and making your product better; healthier, less environmentally damaging packaging, etc. These companies are bogus bunch and forever self-serving. Sadly, it just doesn’t have to be this way.
Diversity in the workplace shouldn’t be political but it always has been.
Now that corporations are people and money is speech things are really 🙃
I don't see the problem with corporations supporting two different ideas, that's what makes America great. But when any of those ideas are based in racial animosity, misogyny and white supremacy, then NO. Just say, "No, this company of human beings has decided that you (Rufo or others), do not deserve our money or sponsorship because you spread hate.".
So simple. And the corporations save their gold or silver donation cash.
Rufo can raise his money from the haters.
Well, eye opening piece to start my day. But, infuriating to think about our corporate “friends” supporting fascist Rufo. Did they really think they could get this by without normies noticing?
Shout it from the rooftops. Big Pro-Monoply, Pro-Consolidation, Pro-Plutocracy Business is in the tank for Trump and Co. They want what he promises. This would be glaringly obvious if we had a real media reporting real news. But the MSM (one of them - in aggregate) plays look the other way. What would we do without PI?
MSM is treating much of the critical issues of our time like a magic act, watch the shining object over there while the real issues are happening over here behind the smoke screen we have built up.
Yup
The “funny” thing is they don’t know what “woke” means.
They specialize in redefining words, like “conservative”. Chris Rufo got his start redefining Critical Race Theory to make it a political weapon. It was deliberate and successful. Now he makes big $$ from doing more of the same.
Thank you for reporting on this. I feel helpless in the face of corporate corruption and the true values that they stand for, but I will spread the word, not just here but to the German press.
Another great exposé, Judd. These companies will always justify such equivocal giving, but it won’t pass muster as a political stand. Coke was founded in Atlanta at the turn of the 20th century. No way was it “always” supportive of DEI.
The extraordinary political clout of these major corporations demonstrates why only aggressive government prosecution through anti-trust laws can rein in the corporate power. We consumers are often called upon to boycott such companies, but given the market share they control it is nigh impossible. I have not darkened the doorstep of Walmart and Hobby Lobby since I understood their positions and practices. The only benefit has been to my conscience. But avoiding products of food conglomerates is much more difficult. I believe reform can only come through the power of government. We must elect those who would pry the greedy grip of corporations off our throats.
I second that, Carmen!
In each case after being caught out, "The company declined to comment."
Stand for something or fall for anything!
Such an important piece of researching and in articulating. This is how we become educated to the facts and to truth in who we are.
Thank you!!!
You might send this to Public Citizen.
As many of your readers know, this needs to be shouted out!!!!
Corporations are, by definition, non-living entities who have far more rights than they deserve. These dead things are served by Boards and Executives who act as if they have absolutely no control over what the Monster does. Through those humans the monster buys influence in governments around the world so that they can steal and pollute as much as they want. They are completely amoral and unempathetic. Why would you possibly believe anything that they say except when they say they're going to lay people off. That usually happens very efficiently.
CONSTITUENT MEANS DONOR
Legally in the US they are “people” (since the 1800s) and speech is $$ came later.