The Southern-themed restaurant business Cracker Barrel has been the latest target of people sick of “wokeism” after it expressed general support for Pride and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
On Thursday, Cracker Barrel shared a photo of a rocking chair outside one of their locations painted in a rainbow of colors, expressing that they were excited to celebrate Pride Month with our employees and guests.
Social media users began criticizing Cracker Barrel, and some stated they would quit patronizing the eatery. The Texas Family Project was the first to step up its campaign against Cracker Barrel, tweeting an altered image of one of their locations and the phrase “They took this from you.”
Although Cracker Barrel has sponsored Pride Month for many years, the business decided to stop employing LGBTQ persons and terminate those already working there in early 1991.
After the policy came under fire from advocates for LGBT rights, firm founder Dan Evins apologized and declared that it had been eliminated. The corporation scored 15 out of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index of the Human Rights Campaign in 2010; however, that number rose to 55 in 2011 and 80 as of the rating in 2022.
After its star, Phil Robertson made anti-LGBTQ remarks in 2013; the firm removed Duck Dynasty products from its gift store shelves. When it decided not to hold an event at one of its restaurants that Grayson Fritts, an anti-LGBTQ preacher, would host, the company demonstrated a more substantial commitment to the LGBTQ community in 2019.
Social media users have singled out businesses for attack because of their engagement with the LGBTQ community and dedication to DEI.
Bud Light, Nike, Adidas, and Target have all received criticism for trans-inclusive marketing. In addition to supporting Pride, Cracker Barrel has been dubbed “woke” for adding an Impossible Foods plant-based sausage to its menu.
In response to the backlash, the business shared a photo of its Impossible sausage shaking hands with a pork sausage on social media.
