Is anyone else simply amazed by the number of companies – not individuals or social organizations – that have come out and spoken publicly about the racial injustice situation in our country right now?
While the incidents in Minneapolis and the resulting furor across the country are sadly not the first time we’ve seen these things happen, the reaction from corporate America sure seems unprecedented.
So many companies have issued statements, sent out emails to their customers, taken out newspaper ads or otherwise come forward to express both their outrage and their efforts to try to do something about the situation. Particularly striking are the ones coming from retailers and consumer product companies. And even if a few of them sound a bit hollow the sentiment is real.
I was particularly stricken by this one from Nordstrom, quite extraordinary in both its tone and sentiment:
“The events of this weekend are one more painful reminder that injustice remains in our world. We can fix the damage to our stores. Windows and merchandise can be replaced. We continue to believe as strongly as ever that tremendous change is needed to address the issues facing Black people in our country today. We strive to be a positive force for change in every community we serve.”
We all know fixing this country’s problems when it comes to this issue is not going to be easy. And we know any solution has to embrace the entire system from our national leaders to the people everywhere.
It’s a daunting task but maybe, just maybe, we’ve started that process.
Photo credit: Melissa Gruenfeld
Award-winning Journalist & Consultant for the retailing and home furnishings industries with extensive business media experience in both fields.
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