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When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders began, so did the layoffs. Retail workers have been some of the hardest hit, losing their previously reliable incomes as large corporations often closed operations at several of their facilities.1 Despite retail giants like Caterpillar, Levi Strauss, Stanley Black & Decker, and Steelcase doing this, they have almost simultaneously paid large dividends to their shareholders. That means that while hourly and low-wage workers were laid off in droves, shareholders got an additional check. The rich are literally getting richer—$434 billion wealthier since the pandemic hit—and we can’t accept these kinds of practices while Black people continue to face low wages, inability to get the healthcare they need, and violence from police.2
As protests against police violence continue, more and more companies are coming out with statements to denounce racism. Many of those companies are the exact same ones who furloughed or fired their hourly employees when COVID-19 hit instead of finding tangible ways to support them. We think that companies who are so ready to pay dividends to their shareholders before providing assistance for their frontline hourly workers need to do more than just share an anti-racism press release.
Fighting for racial justice is so much more than an anti-racism statement. It requires dedication and action behind those words. Declaring support of Black people isn’t enough. Companies need to make good on their commitment to Black communities, and we’re starting by demanding these four retail companies pay reparations.
Until justice is real,
—Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Jade, Johnny, Amanda, Marie, Evan, Imani, Eesha, Samantha, Jennette, Ciera, Marcus, FolaSade, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
- “U.S. companies cut thousands of workers while continuing to reward shareholders during pandemic,” The Washington Post, May 5, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/250511?t=9&akid=43142%2E4731121%2EBgiNg8
- “American billionaires got $434 billion richer during the pandemic,” CNBC, May 21, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/250512?t=11&akid=43142%2E4731121%2EBgiNg8
Image: Levi Strauss & Co.
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
