Walmart recently announced that it is winding down some of its diversity initiatives, including removing certain LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website and discontinuing a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities. This decision comes as the company, along with others like Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, Ford, and Molson Coors, have faced criticism and backlash for their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
The move to scale back on DEI initiatives has been attributed to pressure from conservative activists and the US Supreme Court’s decision last year striking down affirmative action programs at colleges. Walmart stated that it is willing to change alongside its associates and customers, with a focus on fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.
Among the changes, Walmart will no longer allow third-party sellers to offer some LGBTQ-themed items on its website, such as items marketed to transgender youth. The company has also stopped sharing data with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and is transitioning away from the term “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in its internal communications.
While Walmart will continue to provide grants and funding for events like Pride parades, it will do so with more specific guidelines on how the funding can be used. The decision to wind down certain diversity initiatives also followed pressure from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who praised the changes as a victory in the fight against corporate wokeness.
Overall, Walmart’s decision to scale back on DEI initiatives reflects a broader trend among companies facing criticism for their diversity efforts and underscores the ongoing debates around diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate America.
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