North Face Offers Discount For Completing Racial Inclusion Course

Outdoor apparel giant The North Face is sparking debate with a new promotion. The company is offering a 20% discount to customers who complete their online course, "Allyship in the Outdoors: A digital course about racial inclusion."

The hour-long program, created with a diversity consultancy group, aims to educate participants about the challenges faced by people of color in enjoying outdoor activities. It covers topics like white privilege, different forms of racism, and the 2020 death of George Floyd, which the course says ignited a call for greater racial inclusion in outdoor sports.

The hour-long course encourages people to have an open mind “to help inspire your learning”. It also urges them to listen to other people’s “lived experiences” and “commit to being an ally in the outdoors”. The outdoors is for everyone, customers are told.

Customers are told: “[The course] will also provide training and resources to help you be a better ally and to make the outdoors a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.”

At the end of the course, customers can claim their 20 per cent off voucher. It says: “To thank you for being an ally and completing the full course, The North Face is pleased to offer you a one-off 20 per cent discount, to be used on The North Face website.”

Reactions Mixed

The initiative has received mixed reactions. Some praise The North Face for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, applauding the effort to raise awareness about unequal access to the outdoors.

However, others criticize the program. Some argue it implies white customers need education to shop at The North Face, while others question why a discount is tied to the course completion.

Not the First Controversy

This isn't the first time The North Face's diversity efforts have sparked debate. In 2023, the company faced backlash for a social media campaign promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion during Pride Month.

The North Face has not yet responded to requests for comment on the current controversy. However, on their website, they describe the course as a way to "foster a welcoming and inclusive community for all."

Whether the discount incentivizes education or creates an unnecessary barrier to entry for some customers remains to be seen. One thing's for sure, The North Face's latest promotion has ignited a conversation about race and inclusion in the outdoors.