The epidemic of wokeness can infect companies in any industry. We’ve already seen it contaminate companies from the transportation, restaurant, banking, and online retail industries. Wokeness is all around us, and it’s unacceptable. Historically, many of these organizations are some of our favorite companies and brands who gladly take our money while trampling on our conservative values. Ceasing doing business with certain companies on our list may be difficult, if not impossible for some of us. But at the very least we must understand who these companies are if we want to have an impact.
The first three editions of this series are available here:
- 12 Woke Companies To Avoid
- More Woke Companies To Avoid: List #2
- More Woke Companies To Avoid: List #3
[Note that prior to explanations and justifications for each company, we’ve listed the official company name, its stock trading symbol, the industry in which the company operates, and the company’s annual gross revenue and market cap (if available), with all figures represented in millions.]
#29: Best Buy
Best Buy Company SYM: BBY Retail – Consumer Electronics Rev: $47,262 MC: $30,190
Best Buy has been doubling down on their wokeness for years now, and they show no sign of stopping. In a leaked employee memo from August 2020, Best Buy’s Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer issued an absurd statement on the perfectly justified shooting by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin of a criminally combative Jacob Blake; and the fact that they even have a “Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer” tells us how woke Best Buy is. They flew the inane LGBTQIA+ flag over their properties in June. (By the way, isn’t it time to add more letters to that acronym?) They signed on to something called the Parity Pledge, which is essentially a promise to discriminate against white people. And they announced their plan to spend a remarkable $1.2 billion with ‘Diverse Businesses,’ which means more discrimination.
The best alternative to buying from Best Buy is to shop online, particularly with smaller outlets and sites like Newegg.com. If you find yourself in need of electronics on short notice, or if you’re buying something you don’t want being delivered to your home, consider going to Costco if there’s one available; they carry a wide assortment of electronics.
#30: Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch InBev SYM: ABI Brewing/Beverage Rev: $52,020 MC: N/A
While the subsidiary named Anheuser-Busch is based in St. Louis, the parent company is based in Belgium, and no matter how you slice it, A-B is woke. They went all-in with their support for the Marxists at Black Lives Matter. They require employees to participate in the idiotic ‘gender unicorn’ nonsense (if you’re unfamiliar, look it up; gender unicorn is even sillier than it sounds). And of course, Anheuser-Busch is one the biggest advertisers with the National Football League, which becomes more woke by the day. And keep in mind, Anheuser-Busch has several brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob, Busch, Stella Artois, and Landshark Lager.
Shutting down your support for Anheuser-Busch should be easy. Not only are there a multitude of other options out there, many of them will taste better and be less expensive, and there are new beer brands popping up all the time. Most places that sell beer will have a wide variety, and some may have dozens from which to choose. Give something new a try. Also, consider supporting local breweries in your community.
#31: Quaker Oats
Pepsico Inc SYM: PEP Beverages – Soft Rev: $70,372 MC:$198,271
Quaker Oats is another PepsiCo brand, following in the footsteps of sister brand Pepsi which was featured on our list #3 at #28, and like Pepsi, Quaker Oats has many brands other than the flagship brand of oatmeal with which we’re all familiar. Their other brands include Cap’n Crunch, Life cereal, Rice-a-Roni, and Tropicana fruit Juices. Oh, and let’s not forget Aunt Jemima. Last year, the company decided to change the name of Aunt Jemima products, claiming ridiculously that “Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” and no one likes racist pancakes. A few months later, they announced a $1 million donation to a BLM wannabe. And they proudly engage in woke virtue-signaling by featuring gay couples in their commercials.
Like options for beer as discussed in #30, there are plenty of options to choose from other than Quaker Oats products. Whether it’s cereal, oatmeal, or rice, there are numerous alternatives. And if possible, try substituting products from conservative companies like Goya, which offers reasonably priced and high-quality food products.
#32: Peloton
Peloton Interactive Inc SYM: PTON Exercise equipment Rev: $1,825 MC:N/A
Peloton is truly a remarkable success story and one which in other circumstances we could all be proud of as an American dream realized. Peloton began operations less than ten years ago, and they are now one of the leading companies in their industry. Unfortunately, they’re not just successful, they’re also fully woke. They’re vocal in their support of BLM. They were one of several companies pushing the nonsensical ‘Defund the Police’ movement; though they’ve piped down on those proclamations recently. And last month they banned the use of the hashtag “Let’s Go Brandon” from their app. Is that woke enough for you?
Peloton has several competitors to consider as alternatives, including Precor, SoulCycle, Nordic Track, and Flywheel Sports. Such equipment is a significant investment, however, and if you already have a Peloton machine, you may be stuck for the time being. But if you’re currently considering such options to help with an upcoming New Year’s resolution to get in shape, anyone other than Peloton is likely to be less woke.
#33: Gap Apparel
Gap Inc SYM: GPS Retail – Apparel & Shoes Rev: $13,800 MC: $11,532
Look at those financials above and remember that those figures are listed in millions. Gap is no small company. They’re large, they’re leaders in their industry, and they are full-blown woke. Gap brags about their inclusivity, explaining how they stood ”up for LGBTQ rights decades before the world woke up to it;” an interesting choice of words. They’re also proud of offering “color palettes that work for the true breadth of skin tones,” because they’re very concerned about skin color. And of course, Gap couldn’t be outdone during last year’s BLM hysteria and pledged $250,000 in support of the movement. Also, note that Gap brands include Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix, Hill City, and Athleta.
Unfortunately, clothing is one of those industries where it’s going to be difficult finding unwoke alternatives, particularly in styles that appeal to us. The nature of the industry seems to breed wokeness. Check out some stores that carry clothing you like, including online stores, and look into their corporate ‘social responsibility’ policies. That will give you a good indication of their level of wokeness. Regardless of who you choose to supplant Gap, it’s highly likely they’ll be less woke.
#34: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc SYM: DKS Retail – Sporting Goods Rev: $9,584 MC: N/A
Dick’s is still one of the largest players in the sporting goods lane, but they’ve struggled the last few years due to their wokeness, particularly with their anti-gun stance. Gun owners are passionate about the Second Amendment, and there are a lot of us. But Dick’s is more than just anti-gun. They posted the BLM-sympathizing black box on Twitter during those mostly peaceful riots and have openly supported BLM. Additionally, Dick’s is all-in with their celebration of LGBTQ pride. (Isn’t it ironic that a company called Dick’s is so prominent in their support of LGBTQ activism?)
Your best option for alternatives to Dick’s is to shop online with non-woke competitors, and there are plenty of them. For traditional brick-and-mortar stores, competitors of Dick’s include Under Armour and Finish Line.
#35: Door Dash
Door Dash Inc. SYM: DASH Online food delivery Rev: $2,886 MC: N/A
Door Dash is a service offering that seems to be most popular with young folks: sit at home watching TV, go to the Door Dash app on your phone, and order some unhealthy fast food to be delivered. A very Gen-Z/Millennial thing to do. Door Dash donated $500 million to BLM last year, and has issued multiple statements since then supporting the Marxist movement. They’ve also been vocal in their celebration of LGBTQ pride. It seems likely that at least some of Door Dash’s wokeness has been to calm worker resentment and a recent revolt objecting to DD’s treatment of them; another reason to avoid DD.
One of the primary purposes of our ongoing Woke Companies to Avoid list is to not only highlight woke brands/companies but to suggest alternatives. For Door Dash’s services, however, there aren’t many. Uber Eats is part of Uber, which is equally woke. Local restaurants often offer their own delivery service, and those would be preferred over Door Dash. But perhaps the best alternative to using Door Dash is this: Get off your ass and go to McDonald’s or Taco Bell yourself. You might burn off some calories on the way.
#36: Spanx
Spanx, Inc. SYM: None Underwear and apparel Rev: $400 (est.) MC: N/A
This private company has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. Their target market is women, offering ‘body-slimming’ underwear, leggings, and lingerie, among others. They donated $100,000 to Black Lives Matter last year and occasionally issue statements supporting BLM’s racist ideology. In addition to being racist, Spanx is also sexist, having committed to an all-female board of directors. CEO Sarah Blakely is more than just a radical feminist, she’s also fluent in the woke vernacular regarding LGBTQ, and she openly supports their goals.
Again, with apparel, the alternatives may be limited, but they’re out there. For the ‘body-slimming’ underwear, try Cryoskin which is increasing in popularity. For regular women’s underwear, there should be plenty of options, particularly online, but stay away from Victoria’s Secret. And for leggings you can try L.L. Bean.
By The BSC Team, Article Syndicated from Blue State Conservative
