WHEREAS: The harmful and often deadly impacts of systemic racism on BIPOC communities are a major focus of policymakers, media, and the public. AT&T has made investments in and statements of solidarity with communities of color. However, some of AT&T’s business practices suggest a racial equity audit could help mitigate reputational, regulatory, legal, and human capital risk.
AT&T’s commitment to racial justice has been called into question because of some of its practices. For instance, Salon noted that, “Corporations like AT&T, Target and Starbucks have embraced racial-justice rhetoric, while funneling money to police.” Salon cited AT&T’s support for police foundations and the National Sheriff’s Association as examples of this disconnect given growing evidence that many police departments demonstrate not only implicit bias but outright racism.1
AT&T also faced scrutiny over its support for candidates promoting voter suppression efforts, which disproportionately impact BIPOC populations.2 In addition, the Company also experienced negative coverage of its connections to One America News (OAN), a network that AT&T played a pivotal role in creating according to Reuters.3 OAN’s news anchors have been tied to white supremacist movements4 and have actively supported claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.5
Concerns have been raised about the delivery of AT&T’s internet services to communities of color. Research by The Markup found that AT&T frequently provides a significantly lower quality of service in predominantly BIPOC communities for the same cost as the much better service provided in predominantly white communities.6 Lack of access to reliable internet services can impact mobility related to education, employment, and banking. As the ACLU has observed, “Adults living without broadband face significant barriers in accessing employment, education, and other necessities.”7
AT&T has faced other controversies because of practices that disproportionately impact BIPOC communities, including a pending race discrimination lawsuit over retransmission practices,8 and a work stoppage related to its treatment of Black workers.9 Furthermore, AT&T has allegedly retaliated against employees who flagged issues of discrimination.10
Executives at peer companies have affirmed the usefulness of racial equity audits, as have civil rights organizations. A number of leading companies are committed to conducting civil rights and racial equity audits, including JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Apple. We urge AT&T to join them.
1 https://www.salon.com/2021/04/27/as-big-corporations-strike-a-pose-for-racial-justice-they-keep-on-funding-the- police/2 https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/impact-voter-suppression-communities-color3 https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/att-one-america-news-keep-ad-deal-even-after-directv-drops- network-2022-03-14/4 https://www.splcenter.org/splc-investigation-far-right-oann-anchor-jack-posobiecs-rise-tied-white-supremacist- movement5 https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-oneamerica-att/6 https://themarkup.org/still-loading/2022/10/19/dollars-to-megabits-you-may-be-paying-400-times-as-much-as-your- neighbor-for-internet-service7 https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/how-broadband-access-hinders-systemic-equality-and-deepens-the- digital-divide8 https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/circle-city-broadcasting-files-racial-discrimination-suit-against-att/9 https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/cwa-members-spotlight-atts-pattern-of-discriminatory-behavior-in-memphis- protest10 https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2019/12/17/at-t-noose-black-manager-discrimination- lawsuit/2667388001/