Perpetually aggrieved leftists were so triggered by remarks critical of Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s criticism of the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies that they are calling for a boycott of the popular athletic apparel retailer.
Wilson, who founded the Canadian-American sportswear outlet in 1998 and has previously come under fire for his remarks, whacked the “woke” hornet’s nest in a recent interview with Forbes in which he had very unflattering things to say about the company’s embrace of the false religion of diversity in its business practices.
In the billionaire’s opinion, Lululemon’s ads feature people whom he described as “unhealthy,” “sickly” and “not inspirational.”
“I think through this whole diversity and inclusion thing that they’re trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody,” he said. “And I think the definition of a brand is that you’re not everything to everybody.”
“Lululemon really has that opportunity to become a brand, but in order to become a brand you’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in,” Wilson added during the interview that was posted to the business and financial news outlet’s YouTube page.
(Video: YouTube/Forbes)
While Wilson stepped down from the company’s board years ago, the company rejected his comments in a statement that will likely do little to appease the thin-skinned outrage mob.
“Chip Wilson does not speak for Lululemon, and his comments do not reflect our company views or beliefs,” the company said in a statement. “Chip has not been involved with the company since his resignation from the board in 2015 and we are a very different company today.”
Wilson’s exercising of his freedom of speech was deemed unacceptable and worthy of punishment by many who spoke out against the company and its founder.
#Boycott @lululemon if #ChipWilson only wants a certain customers coming in cool, he can have them. #Boycottlululemon #Boycottlululemon
— Don Wallace (@DonWallace10) January 4, 2024
I already don’t buy Lululemon’s overpriced clothing but I smell a national boycott coming and it’s about damn time https://t.co/lvsgbksxOo
— FREE PALESTINE (@librarosequeen) January 3, 2024
I appreciate when companies tell me that they don’t want money from my community.
Chip Wilson is also on record saying he named the company Lululemon because it was “funny to watch Japanese people try to say it.”
That’s disgusting; y’all keep buying their products if you want. https://t.co/xHe4vi7JfP
— Neale (@AbeFroman) January 4, 2024
Lululemon has always been a racist company. To be honest, their products are expensive and aren’t even that good anyway. Their CEO is basically saying he wants rich white folks only in their stores .
— Lucia Princess (@LuciaPrincess8) January 3, 2024
All Democrats need to boycott Lululemon
— Holly Anne Keen (@HollyAnneKeen1) January 5, 2024
Oh man, fuck Chip Wilson and boycott @lululemon . Racist pig.
— Cathy Kitterle Stands with Ukraine (@KitterleCathy) January 3, 2024
“There should be a loud call to action for a widespread boycott of corporations that overtly disparage and label DEI as practices rooted in racism and discrimination,” said organizational psychologist Tiffany Brandreth who likely makes a nice living in the “woke” industrial complex that has taken root in Corporate America.
“It’s crucial for anyone who claims to be an ally for DEI to send a powerful message that these regressive values will not be supported that goes beyond mere rhetoric,” Brandreth added, according to NBC News.
“This perpetuates the larger, complex challenge of the lack of diversity representation and inclusion across not only corporate organizations, but also in consumerism and our social climate at large,” marketing leader, entrepreneur and DEI advocate Genesis Emery-Foley is quoted by the outlet. “So, to me, it is quite disappointing to hear that someone of such power, status and magnitude would promote the idea of separation and exclusion.”
“The combined purchasing power of diverse groups is massive, so the boycott doesn’t need to be loud,” she added. “The economic choices of consumers sends a silent yet powerful message on its own. The most impactful way to effect change is by making consequences felt, which is directly through impacting these individuals’ financial gain.”
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