Walmart has announced a series of changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, marking a significant shift in the retail giant’s approach to corporate wokeness.
The decision comes as part of a broader trend, with several major corporations reevaluating their “woke” initiatives in response to growing criticism from consumers and activists.
Anti-woke activist and filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who has been actively challenging corporate wokeness, reported on Monday that he had been in discussions with Walmart executives.
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Starbuck shared that he had warned the company about his plans to publish a story regarding their woke policies. However, he revealed that these talks had been constructive, leading to agreements on key changes.
Starbuck outlined the specific changes Walmart had agreed to implement. These include efforts to remove sexualized and transgender products that are deemed inappropriate for children and a review of grants given to Pride events to ensure they do not fund content targeting minors.
Walmart claimed that these adjustments had been in the works for several years and were not directly influenced by Starbuck’s involvement.
Walmart confirmed to FOX Business that it will alter its approach to monitoring products within its marketplace and will conduct a more thorough review of community grants, particularly for events that involve children.
Among the products removed from Walmart’s marketplace were chest binders, items designed to flatten the chest, which had been marketed to children.
The company also announced it would continue to support Pride celebrations but would place a greater emphasis on ensuring that the content promoted is appropriate for all audiences, particularly minors.
Further, Walmart stated that it would no longer extend the Racial Equity Center, an initiative launched in 2020 as a five-year project, and would stop using terms like “LatinX” and “DEI” in its official communications.
Instead, Walmart will shift its focus to the term “belonging,” aiming to create an inclusive environment for all associates and customers.
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Additionally, Walmart joined other major companies, including Ford and John Deere, in ending its participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey that evaluates corporate policies related to LGBTQ+ employees.
In response to these changes, Walmart stated it is “willing to change alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America.”
The company emphasized that its decisions are driven by a desire to foster a sense of belonging and open doors to opportunities for everyone, including associates, customers, and suppliers.
Robby Starbuck celebrated the changes, calling Walmart’s decision to shift its policies a significant victory. “Walmart is the single largest employer in the United States. Removing wokeness from Walmart has both downstream effects on suppliers and sets the tone for corporate America,” Starbuck said. He emphasized the scale and impact of the changes, noting that achieving such a shift in policy at a company valued at nearly $1 trillion is a monumental accomplishment.
Starbuck also expressed his determination to continue pushing for the elimination of wokeness, saying, “I won’t stop until wokeness is a relic of the past.”
MASSIVE news: Walmart is ending their woke policies. I can now exclusively tell you what’s changing and how it happened.
Last week I told execs at @Walmart that I was doing a story on wokeness there. Instead we had productive conversations to find solutions.
Below are the… pic.twitter.com/BD02xJQ0X2
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) November 25, 2024
Walmart’s changes reflect a growing shift in corporate America as companies respond to rising concerns about the impact of DEI and “woke” policies.
The decision marks a victory for activists like Starbuck, who have worked to expose and challenge these initiatives within major corporations.
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