Even with the best of intentions, companies can do the wrong thing. Last summer, Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash announced they would waive delivery fees for black-owned restaurants. These policies were implemented during times of heightened social unrest and the unprecedented economic challenges of COVID-19. While the expressions of goodwill may have been sincere, their new corporate race policies were a mistake.
Our office filed charges against the companies and alleged that these race-based price distinctions pushed restaurant and small business customers to make choices based on a proprietor’s skin color, not the content of their products or services. That is discrimination based on race, which our office alleged is contrary to Arizona law. The Arizona Civil Rights Act, and other similar laws around the country, were enacted to promote equality and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or ancestry. Thankfully, we reached an amicable settlement with Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash to stop these discriminatory practices in Arizona.
As long as I’m attorney general, I will hold all companies accountable for violations of Arizona’s Civil Rights Act. These settlements send a loud and unmistakable message to other companies that do business in Arizona that they cannot claim to be battling racism by promoting another form of it.
In the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. eloquently spoke of his dream, when one day all people might be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. Our country has come a long way toward fulfilling that dream, but we must recognize that there is still work that needs to be done.
To make lasting progress, we cannot give up the good ground that has been paved. America must always stand for the rule of law and equality, and people should immediately challenge any sectors in our society that promote new forms of discrimination or racism, even when they claim to be acting in good faith.
Elected officials, in particular, have an obligation to stand up to big, powerful companies when they engage in boorish and discriminatory behavior — whether it’s in their hiring and employment practices or when they create an uneven playing field for others in the community. Corporate virtue-signaling in this instance became counterproductive, unfair, and illegal.
While this is just one example, unfortunately, it’s not an anomaly or isolated incident. From Big Tech conglomerates to professional sports leagues, there seems to be an increasing number of discriminatory policies, unsavory actions, and political retaliations that are just as disturbing. Absolutely no one is above the law, and all should be confronted if they cross it. Moreover, the court of public opinion should make its verdict known as well.
Ultimately, we cannot fight racism through corporate discrimination or political intimidation. Meaningful progress requires working together to ensure everyone is treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings deserve. We must all be equal in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of each other.
Mark Brnovich is attorney general of Arizona.
