Experiences with Discrimination

Week 2a: You come across a news article reporting that your favorite company was faced with a public lawsuit in which they were accused of widespread discrimination against individuals from an ethnicity, culture, or belief system you associate with.

My thoughts…If I read that my favorite company was involved in a lawsuit accusing them of discrimination against individuals from an ethnicity, culture, or belief system I associate with, I would certainly be disappointed and question my future relationship with this company. I would do my part in researching more about the situation, is this caused by one outlier (one bad employee), or is this the value supported by the company as a whole and I would evaluate the company’s reaction and response to this accusation. As a minority, I always valued companies that promote inclusivity, equality, and diversity, so learning that one I support is involved in such accusations would feel like a betrayal of those principles.

If these accusations are in fact true and it wasn’t just caused by one outlier, I would feel uncomfortable continuing to purchase from them. I’d be torn between enjoying their products and upholding my personal values. The idea that my money could potentially be supporting an organization that discriminates against people based on their ethnicity, culture, or belief system would be hard to ignore.

In terms of applying for a job there, I would likely reconsider. I am a minority female myself so it very important that I work in an environment that foster DEI and celebrates diversity. I would question whether the company’s internal culture truly aligns with the values they publicly promote. If the accusations were so bad to the point it made public headlines, I can only imagine how bad it could be internally and behind closed doors.

Ultimately, how a company handles this lawsuit would be a critical factor in determining whether I continue to support them. If they take accountability, make meaningful changes, and actively work to correct any discriminatory practices, I might reconsider my stance. I am someone that values humility and transparency, it’s okay to make mistake but it more important on how the mistake is handled.