Over two years ago, I made a personal decision to stop eating at McDonald’s. While my reasons were rooted in health concerns, I find myself today with a renewed sense of validation for stepping away from the Golden Arches—this time as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate.
McDonald’s recent announcement to scale back its DEI goals, including ending its “aspirational representation goals” and supplier diversity pledge, is both disappointing and disheartening. At a time when companies wield significant influence over societal norms and values, retreating from DEI commitments feels like a betrayal of progress and a regression into the status quo.
McDonald’s cites that 30% of its U.S. leaders are now from underrepresented groups, touting this as a sign of inclusion strides. While this is commendable, it is also insufficient and incomplete. Diversity is not a checkbox that, once achieved, can be shelved in favor of other priorities. It is a continuous commitment, requiring sustained effort and accountability. Progress should not be an excuse to stop striving—it should be the foundation to build upon.
Moreover, supplier diversity is not just about representation; it’s about economic equity. By pulling back from diversifying its suppliers, McDonald’s diminishes opportunities for businesses owned by women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. This move sends a message that economic inclusion is optional rather than essential.
McDonald’s is not alone in this retreat. Ford, Walmart, and other major corporations have also scaled back their DEI initiatives. This troubling trend reflects a growing corporate complacency in the face of backlash against DEI efforts. Rather than holding firm in their commitments, these companies are choosing the path of least resistance—prioritizing profit margins and appeasement over justice and equity.
The timing of this rollback is especially ironic given the simultaneous launch of the McValue menu, a move designed to attract cost-conscious customers. While McDonald’s works to bring back customers through lower prices, it is simultaneously alienating those who value companies that stand for more than just the bottom line.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not fleeting trends or corporate buzzwords—they are fundamental to creating workplaces, economies, and societies where everyone has a fair shot at success. DEI policies help dismantle systemic barriers, foster innovation, and build trust. Scaling back on these commitments undermines the years of progress made and risks perpetuating inequities that these initiatives were designed to address.
As a DEI advocate, I believe in holding institutions accountable for the impact of their actions. McDonald’s, and other companies following suit, must recognize that their influence goes far beyond burgers and fries. Their decisions set a tone for what is acceptable in corporate America and beyond.
What Can We Do?
- Vote with Your Dollar: As consumers, we have power. Supporting businesses that remain committed to DEI is one way to send a clear message.
- Hold Corporations Accountable: Use your voice—on social media, in petitions, or through direct communication with companies—to demand transparency and continued progress on DEI goals.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Work to support legislation and policies that incentivize corporate diversity efforts and protect marginalized groups from systemic inequities.
McDonald’s may be stepping back from its DEI goals, but as advocates for equity and justice, we must step forward. We must challenge these decisions, amplify the voices of those impacted, and continue the work of dismantling systemic barriers.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Let’s not allow it to bend backward.