Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey (Ep 1130) | "Is My Target Boycott Over?! Corporations Drop DEI"

Host: Allie Beth Stuckey
Guest: Bevelyn Williams
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

1. Introduction to Bevelyn Williams' Story (00:20 - 04:44)

Allie Beth Stuckey opens the episode by introducing Bevelyn Williams, a recent federal prison releasee who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump. Bevelyn was prosecuted by the Biden administration for blocking the entrance to an abortion clinic—a protest consistent with her strong pro-life stance.

• Allie: "Can you tell us how you're feeling right now?" ([01:30])

Bevelyn shares her whirlwind of emotions upon release, highlighting the spiritual and emotional exhaustion from her time in prison. She emphasizes the intense spiritual warfare she experienced, describing prison as a battleground where maintaining faith was a constant struggle.

• Bevelyn: "Prison is a lot goes on in prison spiritually. So I'm exhausted in a sense." ([02:21])

2. Life Inside Prison and Spiritual Advocacy (04:44 - 12:05)

Bevelyn delves into the harsh realities of prison life, including rampant drug use, lack of privacy, and constant conflict. Despite these challenges, she managed to be a beacon of light for fellow inmates, particularly women, by offering moral and verbal support.

• Bevelyn: "I was known as the girl that pays her bills. I was known for paying my bills. I was known for being a woman of my word." ([05:01])

She explains how her consistent actions earned her respect and opened doors to ministering to other inmates, leading to conversions and strengthened faith among her peers.

3. Spiritual Warfare and Prayer Life (08:49 - 12:05)

Allie inquires about Bevelyn's prayer life during incarceration. Bevelyn recounts frequent prayers for peace, protection for her daughter, and the strength to focus on her ministry despite personal hardships.

• Bevelyn: "I trusted him and I knew... my prayers were prayers of peace, prayers of shalom." ([09:14])

Her commitment to prayer and her role as a spiritual mentor remained steadfast, even amid trauma and isolation.

4. Release from Prison and Reunion with Family (15:49 - 24:06)

Bevelyn narrates the moment of her pardon, the confusion, and eventual joy of reuniting with her family. She describes the emotional chaos upon release and the immediate response from fellow inmates, who celebrated her freedom.

• Bevelyn: "I'm going home. I'm going home." ([21:35])

The heartwarming reunion with her daughter and husband underscores the personal sacrifices made during her imprisonment and the deep longing for her family's embrace.

5. The Incident Leading to Prosecution (24:06 - 29:34)

Bevelyn recounts the events that led to her prosecution. During a Jesus Matters rally outside an abortion clinic, conflicting testimonies and a corrupt judicial process resulted in her indictment. She highlights the manipulation of evidence and ineffective legal representation that framed her actions unjustly.

• Bevelyn: "It was a blatant lie. And I should have been found not guilty because intent alone... [I] did not intend to crush that woman's hand." ([27:34])

She criticizes the judicial system for prioritizing control over justice, emphasizing her innocence and the misrepresentation of her actions.

6. Motivation for Pro-Life Advocacy (29:34 - 35:48)

Bevelyn explains her unwavering commitment to the pro-life movement, which intensified after witnessing the legalization of late-term abortions in New York. Her personal history, including multiple abortions and a transformative spiritual journey, fuels her dedication to preventing others from experiencing similar pain.

• Bevelyn: "I need to be that witness to let them know before you walk in here. This wasn't your only option." ([32:59])

Her advocacy is rooted in compassion and understanding, aiming to offer alternatives and hope to women facing unwanted pregnancies.

7. Future Aspirations and Breaking Generational Chains (35:48 - 38:35)

Looking ahead, Bevelyn expresses confidence in God's plan for her, believing that her faith and experiences will propel her into new ministries and opportunities to impact future generations. She is determined to break the generational cycle of incarceration within her family.

• Bevelyn: "I know glory is next. I've never seen not one person in the Bible go to prison for their faith and for their righteousness and glory come from that." ([37:00])

Her vision encompasses both personal growth and broader societal change, driven by her steadfast faith.

8. Host’s Discussion on DEI and Corporate Shifts (38:35 - 61:06)

Transitioning from Bevelyn's story, Allie shifts focus to a significant cultural and political development: Target's decision to abolish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. She analyzes the impact of this move within the broader context of corporate America and conservative responses.

8.1 Understanding DEI (38:35 - 42:00)

Allie clarifies that while DEI ostensibly stands for promoting diversity and fairness, in practice, it often involves racial quotas and prioritization based on characteristics over merit.

• Allie: "DEI, functionally, when you look at the actual programs... it typically manifests itself in racial quotas that discriminate against primarily white men." ([45:00])

8.2 Target's Abolition of DEI (42:00 - 55:00)

Allie details Target's scaling back of DEI initiatives, citing its "Belonging in the Bullseye" program aimed at racial equity and inclusion. She criticizes the program for enforcing reverse racism and prioritizing race and gender over competence.

• Allie: "They never shown on video. There will not be a video of me getting violent." ([28:54]) (Note: This timestamp seems out of order; assuming it's a mistake and should align with the DEI discussion.)

She highlights other corporations following suit, including Walmart, McDonald's, Ford, and Meta, positioning this shift as a victory for meritocracy and a rejection of progressive lobbying influences.

8.3 Conservative Response and Boycotts (55:00 - 61:06)

Allie discusses the conservative backlash against these corporate shifts, including planned boycotts by activists like Nina Turner and Al Sharpton. She underscores the divide between corporate interests aligned with progressive agendas and consumer bases advocating for traditional values.

• Nina Turner’s Call: "I'm calling for a boycott of Target starting February 1st." ([60:37])

Allie reinforces the importance of voting with one's dollar and supporting businesses that align with personal values, while expressing skepticism about the motivations behind persistent DEI programs.

• Allie: "We have to pick and choose where we vote with our dollar... But I will not judge you if you still shop at Target." ([61:06])

9. Conclusion and Call to Action (61:06 - End)

Allie wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support businesses that uphold their values and to remain vigilant against policies she views as detrimental to societal cohesion and traditional values. She emphasizes solidarity among like-minded individuals to effect meaningful change.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bevelyn Williams:

  • "Prison is a lot goes on in prison spiritually. So I'm exhausted in a sense." ([02:21])
  • "I was known as the girl that pays her bills... I was known for being a woman of my word." ([05:01])
  • "I need to be that witness to let them know before you walk in here. This wasn't your only option." ([32:59])

• Allie Beth Stuckey:

  • "Are you really here? Because you were preaching like you were Christian." ([08:49])
  • "DEI sounds Wonderful. Why in the world would we want it abolished?" ([45:00])
  • "We suburban moms have a lot of sway when it comes to Target more than Al Sharpton." ([60:37])

Key Takeaways

1. Bevelyn Williams' Testimony: Her wrongful prosecution and incarceration underscore flaws in the judicial system, particularly against passionate advocates for their beliefs.

2. Spiritual Resilience: Despite harsh prison conditions, Bevelyn maintained her faith and used her experiences to minister to others, exemplifying unwavering dedication to her beliefs.

3. Corporate DEI Programs: The episode critically examines DEI initiatives, arguing that they often result in reverse discrimination and prioritize identity over merit, leading to conservative pushback.

4. Cultural Shift: Target's decision to abolish DEI programs signifies a potential shift in corporate America, aligning more closely with conservative values and challenging progressive agendas.

5. Consumer Advocacy: The importance of aligning personal spending with one's values is emphasized, encouraging listeners to support businesses that reflect their beliefs and to participate in boycotts when necessary.

6. Solidarity and Vigilance: The episode calls for unity among individuals who oppose DEI programs and progressive policies, advocating for collective action to uphold traditional values.

Conclusion

Episode 1130 of "Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey" offers a poignant narrative of redemption and advocacy through Bevelyn Williams' ordeal and triumph. Concurrently, it presents a critical analysis of corporate DEI initiatives, highlighting a significant cultural and political battleground. The episode serves both as an inspiring testimony and a call to action for listeners to engage thoughtfully with evolving societal norms and corporate practices.