Macy’s Faces Backlash After Calling Zeta Phi Beta Sorority a ‘Diverse Dance Group’ during Thanksgiving Day Parade

When you’re not in tune with your team on what is going on, things can go awry. Department store Macy’s found that out this week when the Twitter account of the famed store sent out a Twitter post describing a Black Greek organization at their annual Thanksgiving parade as a “diverse dance group’ according to Deadline.

On Thursday during the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta had performed a step routine and after their performance, the Macy’s Twitter account had posted a video clip with the caption, “What’s that sound, you ask? Why it’s the diverse dance group, Zeta Phi Beta Steppers! Performing a special routine they put together to help us celebrate this unprecedented year #MacysParade.”

Black Twitter immediately chastised the department store giant and after the backlash, Macy’s deleted the Tweet and issued the one below.

Look who just STEPPED things up. 👏 We loved having @ZPHIBHQ — an international, historically Black Sorority —with us at the #MacysParade for their centennial. pic.twitter.com/Rca0HJPvyC

— Macy’s (@Macys) November 26, 2020

Yet, they still received criticism from Twitter users who had a few suggestions of their own.

Naw. Issue them a FULL PUBLIC apology, donate millions to HBCU’s and Black Greek Letter Organizations, open a new upper level position with a team at Macy’s that works to ensure information is accurate, respect is given, research is done and folks are represented.

— Ohun Ashe 🌻🌼🌞 (@Ohun_Ashe) November 26, 2020

Thank you for taking down the previous tweet and recognizing the amazing women of @ZPHIBHQ for who they are. This was a culturally relevant moment that they shared and they deserved to be identified correctly. #DivineNine

— The Gourmet Goober. (@JJOutlaw) November 27, 2020

I’m really going to need you all to hire more black talent on your social team. #RepresentationMatters

— Lona Vincent (@Lona_Vincent) November 26, 2020

An ounce of research goes a long way. Calling Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. a “diverse dance group” is the equivalent of calling the Leauge of Women Voters “girls who do voter registration drives.” This corrected tweet is a start, but do better FROM the start Macys. pic.twitter.com/bWdBauvDpd

— KJ (@PrissyKFJ) November 27, 2020

So glad you cleaned that fiasco up! Hopefully this will be a great lesson about diversity for the company. My Sorors did an amazing job!! Always proud !

— Adia __m_James (@AdiamJames1) November 28, 2020

Okay now apologize for your disrespect

— Liyah (@itsnotliyah) November 26, 2020