(Headline USA) Best Buy is the latest company facing a boycott after leaked training materials revealed it excludes white employees from a leadership program.
A whistleblower shared an internal memo last week with the O’Keefe Media Group regarding new “management leadership academy programs” meant to provide employees with “critical skills that will enhance their leadership through a mini-MBA style curriculum.” However, the catch is that only employees who “identify as black, Latino, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander,” will be considered for the programs.
DISCRIMINATION: A Citizen Journalist has revealed Best Buy is partnering with McKinsey & Company on a Management Training Program.
The program is not open to white applicants. “Candidates must meet the [racial] requirements below”
Any comment @BestBuy? pic.twitter.com/lxfivezCa6
— O’Keefe Media Group (@OKeefeMedia) August 8, 2023
“As a part of Best Buy’s commitment to develop and support our employees, we’ve partnered with McKinsey & Company to offer the McKinsey Leadership Programs,” the memo from Best Buy reads. “These professional development programs customize its curriculum and discussions to the unique situations, experiences and opportunities of diverse professionals.”
Last year, Best Buy admitted the programs were meant to help “establish a diverse workforce.”
“As part of Best Buy’s commitment to develop and support our employees who identify as black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC), we’ve partnered with McKinsey & Company to offer the McKinsey Management Accelerator program,” the Best Buy website reads.
Conservatives were quick to call for a boycott of the company, referencing their successful boycott of Bud Light after the company’s fatal partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
“It’s time to Bud Light Best Buy,” wrote conservative commentator Kingsley Cortes.
It's time to Bud Light Best Buy https://t.co/5T0NbnZ7A4
— Kingsley Cortes (@KingsleyCortes) August 9, 2023
Time for a Bud Light treatment of #bestbuy. Absolutely disgusting. https://t.co/kuPJer7Lz1
— Malebolgia (@Malebolgia_) August 8, 2023
I was literally going to Best Buy today after my morning show to buy a laptop for an event next week.
Nope. Not anymore. My non-'black, latino, asian or pacific-islander' ass will be going somewhere else. @BestBuy is racist af. https://t.co/Q43WyfSz4u
— CannCon ‘Lawful, but Awful’ (@CannConActual) August 11, 2023
Others pointed out that the exclusionary leadership programs likely violate civil rights law.
“Seems illegal…” said Republican strategist Harmeet Dhillon.
Seems illegal…. https://t.co/XRE9IlFkI6
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) August 9, 2023
Best Buy management training program… whites need not apply….👀 institutional racism much? https://t.co/xiz18YtvRK
— Erin Brophy – don't forget to laugh.. (@ERINBROPHY18) August 9, 2023
This isn’t the first time Best Buy has faced backlash for embracing woke propaganda. In 2021, the company came under fire for offering “mental health resources” and “counseling services” to employees after Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges related to the 2020 riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“The verdict in Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial stirs many emotions, and it’s another difficult moment for our nation,” Mark Irvin, the chief inclusion, diversity and talent officer for Best Buy, said at the time. “I know events like these can take a toll on mental health and emotional well-being,” Irwin claimed. “Please know that best Buy is here to support you.”
