Walmart is making major changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, becoming the latest in a growing list of major companies to discontinue so-called “woke” initiatives.
Anti-woke activist and film director Robbie Starbuck has led a campaign to expose the woke policies of major corporations. said in X He said Monday that he warned Walmart executives last week that he would write an article about the retail giant's “wokeness.”
“Instead, we had productive conversations to find solutions,” Starbuck said.
Starbucks will work to remove sexual and transgender products that are inappropriately marketed to children and review its funding for Pride events to avoid funding sexual content aimed at children and outlined the changes Walmart has agreed to.
Walmart clarified that these changes have been in the works for several years and were not the result of conversations with Starbucks.
Walmart confirmed to FOX Business that it plans to change the way it monitors products in its marketplace and reviews grants.
The company said some products that violated its policies, such as chest binders (products designed to flatten the chest), were removed when they were marketed to children.
The company also confirmed that it will review all subsidies, particularly for community events, to promote a suitable environment for children. However, Walmart will continue to support Pride celebrations.
The company also decided not to extend the Center for Racial Equity, which it launched as a five-year initiative in 2020, and will completely eliminate the terms “LatinX” and even “DEI” in its official communications. Instead, focus on the word “belonging” for all employees and customers.
Walmart has also joined the list of companies in recent months – including ford John Deere is an annual survey and report used to evaluate “policies, practices, and benefits related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.” Campaign called for the company to stop participating in the Corporate Equality Index.
Walmart confirmed it was notified about the Starbucks video last week. Walmart typically does not comment on politics.
In a statement to FOX Business, Walmart said it was “ready to change alongside our employees and customers across the nation.”
“We're on a journey and we know we're not perfect, but every decision we make fosters a sense of belonging and opens doors of opportunity for every employee, customer and supplier, and we strive to help Walmart “It comes from the idea that we want to be for everyone,” the company said.
Starbucks is winning over the changes announced by Walmart, telling FOX Business: “Walmart is America's single largest employer. Removing meth from Walmart will not only have downstream effects on our suppliers, but will also set the tone for corporate America.”
“Changing normal business practices in a nearly $1 trillion company is a tremendous feat that many have tried to accomplish, but until now no one has actually been able to do it,” he said. continued. “This speaks to the strength and scale of our movement to eliminate wakefulness from society, and how effectively I have served as a megaphone for the concerns of the average consumer.”
Starbuck added, “I will not stop until wokeness is a relic of the past.”
