A Home Depot recently sparked some outrage after its management posted a message to its employees about “white privilege.”
According to the New York Post, the post was displayed in the employee lounge at the Home Depot location in Calgary, Alberta, titled Leading Practices – Unpacking Privilege. The post included a “checklist” for those who are “white, male, Christian, cisgender, able-bodied, and heterosexual.”
Employees were advised to pay attention to “Societal privileges that benefit white people. Beyond what is commonly experienced by people of color under the same social, political, and economic circumstances.”
In the meantime, a representative from Home Depot’s U.S. headquarters confirmed that the post is from its Canadian division. Furthermore, she said the company’s diversity and inclusion department didn’t approve the post. This is despite the company’s logo appearing on the flyer.
According to the New York Post it’s unclear whether the packet of information was just informational. Or whether it was part of a group learning exercise. The spokeswoman would not confirm immediately whether the Canadian division was discontinuing the information. According to a source, Home Depot has no requirement that the content is part of the diversity and inclusion initiative.
More Revelation on Home Depot’s ‘Unpacking Privileges’
According to the New York Post, the Home Depot location asked its employees to consider their white privilege. A discussion of Christmas follows. It reads, “If you can expect time off from work to celebrate your religious holidays, you have Christian privilege.”
Meanwhile, the Post delves into current social issues as well. “If you’re confident the police exist to protect you, you have white privilege.”
To determine employee privileges, the Post asks employees to check a box. The options were white, male, class, Christian, cisgender, able-bodied, and heterosexual. Other “privilege” warnings in the post include, “If while growing up, college was an expectation of you, not a dream. You have class privilege.”
“If you can use public bathrooms without stares, fear or anxiety, you have cisgender privilege,” the warning reads.
“If you don’t have to explain that your spouse is of the same gender, you have the heterosexual privilege.”
In the meantime, some Twitter users have an opinion about the post. According to one person, “Imagine how messed up people have to be before a major corporation decides to post this [in] their breakroom.”
According to the Outsider, some Twitter users praised the company for addressing white privilege and other issues with their employees, despite the strong criticism contained in the post.
