Conservatives are up in arms after a handout about the topic of privilege that Canadian Home Depot stores distributed to its employees was leaked.
The memo describes different forms of privilege and is titled "Leading Practices," suggesting it is part of management training in dealing with the retailer's diverse workforce.
But to conservatives, the handout is yet another offensive example of runaway "wokeness." After the handout was shared by Twitter account Libs of TikTok—which focuses on ridiculing progressives—conservatives had a meltdown.
See the handout and Libs of TikTok's post below.
Home Depot has gone wokepic.twitter.com/iCy3uMJ4VC— Libs of Tik Tok (@Libs of Tik Tok) 1647996504
Libs of TikTok captioned its post, "Home Depot has gone woke."
After the handout went viral, Home Depot released a statement about the matter, clarifying that while it supports its diverse workforce, the handout is an unauthorized document that was not created by its official diversity, equity and inclusion department.
“This was a resource in our Canadian division and not part of any required programming."
Though the handout does deal in a lot of sweeping generalizations, the information contained in it is mostly basic, common knowledge for most people nowadays--like descriptions of white privilege and straight privilege, etc.
But it's easy to see why conservatives are offended: It's precisely the stuff the right wing routinely rails against as being "reverse racist" or anti-Christian.
For example, a description of white privilege reads:
“If you’re confident that the police exist to protect you, you have white privilege.”
Another section on religious privilege states:
“If you can expect time off from work to celebrate your religious holidays, you have Christian privilege.”
On class, the handout reads:
“If while growing up, college was an expectation of you, not a dream, you have class privilege."
There's certainly nothing new here, but that didn't stop the conservative outrage machine from going into overdrive on Twitter.
What benefit does this information have for home depot employees?— \ud83d\udc96 (@\ud83d\udc96) 1647996846
I knew this when their employees were mask shaming and refusing to check out customers here in NC.— Alissa Batts (@Alissa Batts) 1648034933
This is why Menards is better. John Menard ain't putting up with this nonsense— Jared McHugh \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Jared McHugh \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1647997551
I'm switching from Lowes to Home Depot JUST BECAUSE of this. I like to spend my money where my views are aligned— Asanamomma (@Asanamomma) 1648045770
But they seemed to be outnumbered by people who found the conservative outcry more than a little ridiculous.
Imagine being so angry that Home Depot is educating people on being decent human beings— Tina (@Tina) 1648036330
If this Home Depot privilege guide upsets you you\u2019re the reason why it\u2019s needed.\n\nAs a Black woman there are 4 privilege boxes I can check on this form which I have no problem acknowledging. \n\nThose averse to this truth know and enjoy their privilege but don\u2019t like it called out.pic.twitter.com/rycKo0AGrO— Serious \u201cW\u270a\ud83c\udffeKE\u201d Black \ud83d\ude37 (@Serious \u201cW\u270a\ud83c\udffeKE\u201d Black \ud83d\ude37) 1648039280
Why is this triggering so many people. Maybe they see themselves in the mirror. Just wondering out loud.— WE are the solution!\ud83d\udc9c (@WE are the solution!\ud83d\udc9c) 1648040131
Not long ago your country was doing this, now the rights of LBGT Americans & there struggle to be seen & heard really seems to anger so many people in America . You offend here people say , it only seems like yesterday .life is so short we are here to enjoy life & to give back .pic.twitter.com/BRLvzru8b1— Terrence leech (@Terrence leech) 1648040934
Can someone explain why they're offended by this? Honest answers only— Shiv_shines (@Shiv_shines) 1648044507
One more time\u2026\n\nMaking you aware of something is not the same as being attacked.— Roger Nairn \ud83c\udfa7 (@Roger Nairn \ud83c\udfa7) 1648003752
Whether the handout was sanctioned by the company or not, there's plenty to indicate that Home Depot's leadership are anything but "woke" liberals: CEO Bernie Marcus has donated more than $7 million to former Republican President Donald Trump's campaigns, which sparked boycotts in 2019.
