Thousands are gathering in Austin for the SXSW festival, but cultural events like Women's History Month are notably absent from Google Calendar. This removal reflects a broader trend where major brands distance themselves from DEI terminology amidst a backlash that has emerged since 2020. While many companies initially embraced diversity and inclusion in their messaging, the climate has since shifted, leading to a disconnect event participants might not notice or reflect upon at such a visible platform.
Last month, Google Calendar users noticed that cultural events and observances like Black History Month, Pride Month, and Jewish Heritage were no longer displayed on the app.
In 2020, hundreds of brands were proud to share their commitments and promises to do better. In 2025, many of the same brands not only removed these promises from their websites.
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