Asking the Hard Questions: Truth, Reconciliation, and Corporate America

Abstract

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, many American companies issued public statements to support the Black Lives Matter movement and promise steps to address internal racial inequality and systemic racism. These statements and the efforts promised in them are laudable, provided that they are accompanied by meaningful action. However, these statements largely fail to examine how American companies have contributed to and benefitted from structural racism. Translating statements in support of Black Lives Matters into real action will require that American companies engage in a process of truth and reconciliation.