According to a whistleblower, fitness clothing company Under Armour forced its white employees last year to participate in a live training session that asked them to consider ways in which they might be racist or privileged and urged them to have &#8220;a little more going on than, we just were taught to see everybody as equal.&#8221;
Under Armour&#8217;s white employees were required in the spring of 2020 to participate in the diversity training program, according to videos of the training session provided to The Daily Wire by an internal whistleblower at Under Armour who asked to remain anonymous.
One of the program&#8217;s slides had a header reading, &#8220;Above the Surface: Dominant White Progressive Narratives,&#8221; and provided a list of statements purportedly in that category, including, &#8220;I was taught to treat everyone the same,&#8221; &#8220;I work in a very diverse environment,&#8221; &#8220;I have people of color in my family,&#8221; &#8220;I used to live in New York,&#8221; and &#8220;Children are so much more open.&#8221;
In another slide, the program asked employees about their education, prodding them to consider what were considered characteristics of &#8220;good&#8221; or &#8220;bad&#8221; schools, according to their upbringing.
&#8220;Did your parents care about what kind of school you went to? If so, why?&#8221; the program asked, along with, &#8220;How often had you had a teacher or professor of your own race(s)?&#8221;
The program also asked how often the employees had been to weddings or funerals that were &#8220;virtually all white?&#8221;
&#8220;What are some of the ways in which your race has shaped your life?&#8221; this section of the program concluded.
&#8220;Now there&#8217;s no way I can give you the time to answer that last one,&#8221; the program moderator said with a chuckle. &#8220;The last one should be something that you are thinking about if you are white for the rest of your life.&#8221;
&#8220;But I&#8217;m hoping that those questions for most white people surface, that there&#8217;s a little more going on than, we just were taught to see everybody as equal,&#8221; she added.
Last summer, Under Armour released a series of new diversity and inclusion actions that included a <a href="https://footwearnews.com/2020/business/athletic-outdoor/under-armour-diversity-inclusion-july-2020-1203028615/">commitment</a> to fill 12 percent of director and above positions with African American hires by 2023.
Under Armour is far from the first large company to frustrate its employees over diversity training programs that separate workers by race and are rife with condemnations of &#8220;whiteness.&#8221;
This week, Coca-Cola <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/backlash-hits-coca-cola-after-accusations-of-anti-white-agenda">came under fire</a> for a training seminar that reportedly encouraged the mammoth soft drink company&#8217;s employees to be &#8220;less white.&#8221;
“In the U.S. and other Western nations, white people are socialized to feel that they are inherently superior because they are white,” states one slide from the “Confronting Racism” course, allegedly shared by a whistleblower from inside the company. The training program was part of a LinkedIn Learning Series.
Other slides allegedly urged Coke employees to “try to be less white” as well as to “break with white solidarity,” “listen,” “believe,” and “be less oppressive.”
On Friday, Coca-Cola released a statement responding to the backlash, saying the training session video that went viral &#8220;is not a focus of our company’s curriculum&#8221; and promising to &#8220;continue to refine this curriculum.&#8221;
Coca-Cola later released a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/backlash-hits-coca-cola-after-accusations-of-anti-white-agenda">slightly different</a> statement:
<blockquote>The video and images attributed to a Coca-Cola training program are not part of the company’s learning curriculum. Our Better Together global learning curriculum is part of a learning plan to help build an inclusive workplace. It is comprised of a number of short vignettes, each a few minutes long. The training includes access to LinkedIn Learning on a variety of topics, including on diversity, equity and inclusion.</blockquote>
In September, former President Trump issued an executive order mandating that federal agencies cease using taxpayer dollars to fund diversity training focusing on critical race theory, calling the programs “divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions.”
However, on his first day in office, President Biden overrode the previous administration&#8217;s order and rescinded the restrictions on federal agencies using the training programs.

Under Armour

Whistleblower: Under Armour Mandated That White Employees Watch Anti-White Diversity Training Videos

Critical Race Theory

Diversity

Racism

In response to the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake, actor Dwayne &#8220;The Rock&#8221; Johnson said that he will be postponing the release of his new Under Armour collection.
The actor tweeted on Thursday, “Out of respect for Jacob Blake &amp; his family we’ll postpone our @projectrock @underarmour PR3 launch today. I’ll keep you posted on our relaunch date. Unbelievable we’re here again. Shot 7xs. In the back. In front of his kids. There’s no progress without humanity.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Out of respect for Jacob Blake &amp; his family we’ll postpone our <a href="https://twitter.com/ProjectRock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@projectrock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderArmour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@underarmour</a> PR3 launch today. I’ll keep you posted on our relaunch date. Unbelievable we’re here again. Shot 7xs. In the back. In front of his kids. There’s no progress without humanity.
&mdash; Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/1298889132890976257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On Thursday, after several teams voted to boycott the remaining NBA season due to the Blake shooting, ESPN Senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-nba-players-to-resume-playoffs-soon-after-a-brief-strike">tweeted that a source</a> indicated the playoffs will continue after a brief strike. Shams Charania of The Athletic confirmed that sources indicated the games could resume as early as Friday or this weekend.
Following the death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin Floyd’s neck to the ground for more than eight minutes, Dwayne Johnson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-the-rock-posts-lengthy-message-to-trump-where-are-you">ripped into President Trump</a> for not being a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Where is our compassionate leader? The leader who unifies and inspires our country at our most painful time when we need it the most,&#8221; he said in a lengthy video. &#8220;The leader who steps up and takes full accountability for our country and embraces every color in it. The leader who picks our country up off its knees and says you have my word — we got this — and together, change will happen. Where are you? Because we’re all here. Maybe one day that galvanizing leader will emerge. Either way, the process to change has already begun.”
“Where are you?” he continued. “Where is our leader at this time? At this time when our country is down on its knees, begging, pleading, hurt, angry, frustrated, in pain — begging and pleading with its arms out, just wanting to be heard, begging and pleading and praying for change. Where are you? Where is our compassionate leader who’s going to step up to our country — who’s down on its knees — and extend a hand and say, ‘You stand up, stand up with me, stand up with me because I got you?’”
Johnson suggested that people have to say the words &#8220;black lives matter&#8221; if they want to be true defenders of black life.
&#8220;It’s that same compassionate leader who has to come back and readdress the country, to give important context, to give important perspective on the comments that were just made — of course all lives matter, every single one, all lives matter, because we as Americans believe in inclusivity, we believe in acceptance, we believe in civil rights, we believe in equality for all, that’s what we believe in. So, of course, all lives matter,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But in this moment right now, this defining, pivotal, explosive moment, where our country is down on its knees — the floorboards of our country are becoming unhinged. In this moment, we must say the words: black lives matter.&#8221;
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-the-rock-posts-lengthy-message-to-trump-where-are-you">WATCH: The Rock Posts Lengthy Message To Trump: ‘Where Are You?’</a>

Health personnel spraying disinfectant inside a mall next to

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Postpones Under Armour Launch After Blake Shooting

Donald Trump

Dwayne Johnson

Jacob Blake

On Wednesday, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank on Wednesday capitulated to public and celebrity pressure, issuing a statement in which he backed off comments he had made that were pro-President Trump.
Plank <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/under-armour-blog/bs-bz-under-armour-plank-letter-20170214-story.html">wrote</a> in The Baltimore Sun, &#8220;In a business television interview last week, I answered a question with a choice of words that did not accurately reflect my intent. I want to clarify to our hometown exactly our values for which Under Armour and I stand.&#8221;
Plank listed the values his company espouses: &#8220;We stand firmly for equal rights,&#8221; &#8220;We believe that immigration is a source of strength, diversity and innovation for global companies based in America like Under Armour,&#8221; &#8220;Under Armour stands for job creation.&#8221;
He continued, &#8220;I also know that actions speak louder than words. So here is what we are doing.&#8221; He added, &#8220;We are opposing the travel ban,&#8221; and &#8220;We are taking other public positions on legislation around the country in support of the interests of our teammates whenever policy conflicts with human rights.&#8221;
Then, of course, he parroted the politically correct mantra: &#8220;Our diversity is our strength.&#8221;
Plank had <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/319621-under-armour-ceo-walks-back-support-of-trump-in-full-page#.WKR1PVJOlQs.twitter">given an interview</a> earlier this month in which he stated that Trump was &#8220;an asset to the country&#8221; and a &#8220;pro-business president . . . To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country. People can really grab that opportunity. He wants to build things. He wants to make bold decisions and be really decisive.&#8221;
<blockquote>
&#8220;In a business television interview last week, I answered a question with a choice of words that did not accurately reflect my intent.&#8221;
Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank
</blockquote>
The blowback was immediate; a boycott of Under Amour was initiated; celebrities like <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/318952-dwayne-johnson-hits-under-armour-ceo-over-trump-remarks">Dwayne &#8220;The Rock&#8221; Johnson</a> slammed him; Steph Curry, the two-time reigning NBA MVP, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybarca/2017/02/12/backlash-for-trump-comments-the-problem-under-armour-didnt-need/#17b0c0b5458f">commented</a> on Plank calling trump an asset, saying he agreed with Plank&#8217;s statement &#8220;if you remove the &#8216;et&#8217;.&#8221;

Under Armour CEO Bullied Into Renouncing Trump Support

Golden State Warrior Steph Curry found himself at odds with Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank after the businessman came out in favor of President Donald Trump. The NBA star just so happens to be sponsored by Plank&#8217;s company, <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/2015/09/16/under-armour-stephen-curry-contract-equity-stake">signing </a>with Under Armour in 2013 to receive $4 million a year until 2024. 
During a CNBC interview on Tuesday, Plank said that President Trump was a &#8220;real asset&#8221; for the United States&#8217; economy. 
&#8220;To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country,&#8221; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/under-armour-ceo-praises-trump-2017-2">asserted </a>Plank. &#8220;People can really grab that opportunity.&#8221;
&#8220;He wants to build things. He wants to make bold decisions and be really decisive,&#8221; the CEO continued. 
&#8220;I&#8217;m a big fan of people that operate in the world of &#8216;publish and iterate&#8217; versus &#8216;think, think, think, think, think,'&#8221; Plank added. &#8220;So there&#8217;s a lot that I respect there.&#8221;
The NBA star and President Obama golfing buddy found fault in Plank&#8217;s comments, telling a reporter: &#8220;I agree with that description &#8211; if you remove the &#8216;et&#8217; from asset.&#8221;
Curry contacted higher-ups at the company, apparently applying enough pressure for Under Armour to clarify the CEO&#8217;s statements on Trump. 
&#8220;I spent all day [Tuesday] on the phone,&#8221; said Curry, &#8220;with countless people at Under Armour, countless people in Kevin Plank&#8217;s camp, my team, trying to understand what was going on and where everybody stood on the issue.&#8221;
In a released <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/under-armour-ceo-praises-trump-2017-2">statement</a>, Under Armour said their company backs &#8220;fair trade, an inclusive immigration policy that welcomes the best and the brightest and those seeking opportunity in the great tradition of our country, and tax reform that drives hiring to help create new jobs globally, across America and in Baltimore.
&#8220;We have teammates from different religions, races, nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences, and opinions,&#8221; continued the statement. &#8220;This is the core of our company. At Under Armour, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to advocate for policies that Protect Our House, our business, our team, and our community.&#8221;
&#8220;Based off the release that [Kevin Plank] sent out this morning, and what he told me last night, that&#8217;s the Under Armour that I know,&#8221; responded the two-time MVP. 
&#8220;That&#8217;s the brand I know he&#8217;s built and one that, as of Wednesday afternoon, is something that I&#8217;m standing on,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;If I can say the leadership is not in line with my core values, then there is no amount of money, there is no platform I wouldn&#8217;t jump off, if it wasn&#8217;t in line with who I am,&#8221; Curry added.
According to Business Insider, Curry is worth a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4206422/Steph-Curry-butts-heads-Armour-CEO-Trump.html">reported </a>$14 billion to Plank&#8217;s company. 
See the full Under Armour statement, below: 
<blockquote>
&#8220;At Under Armour, our culture has always been about optimism, teamwork, and unity. We have engaged with both the prior and the current administrations in advocating on business issues that we believe are in the best interests of our consumers, teammates, and shareholders. Kevin Plank was recently invited at the request of the President of the United States, to join the American Manufacturing Council as part of a distinguished group of business leaders. He joined CEOs from companies such as Dow Chemical, Dell, Ford, GE, and Tesla, among others to begin an important dialogue around creating jobs in America. We believe it is important for Under Armour to be a part of that discussion.
We have always been committed to developing innovative ways to support and invest in American jobs and manufacturing. For years, Under Armour has had a long-term strategy for domestic manufacturing and we recently launched our first women&#8217;s collection made in our hometown of Baltimore, MD. We are incredibly proud of this important first step in the evolution of creating more jobs at home. 
We engage in policy, not politics. We believe in advocating for fair trade, an inclusive immigration policy that welcomes the best and the brightest and those seeking opportunity in the great tradition of our country, and tax reform that drives hiring to help create new jobs globally, across America and in Baltimore. 
We have teammates from different religions, races, nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences, and opinions. This is the core of our company. At Under Armour, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to advocate for policies that Protect Our House, our business, our team, and our community.&#8221;
</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4206422/Steph-Curry-butts-heads-Armour-CEO-Trump.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4206422/Steph-Curry-butts-heads-Armour-CEO-Trump.html</a>

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Under Armour

Whistleblower: Under Armour Mandated That White Employees Watch Anti-White Diversity Training Videos

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Postpones Under Armour Launch After Blake Shooting

Under Armour CEO Bullied Into Renouncing Trump Support

Steph Curry Is Fighting With the CEO of Under Armour For Endorsing Trump