On Monday, November 25, the world’s largest private enterprise, Walmart, announced that it would gradually close the “Center for Racial Equity” established after the George Floyd incident in 2020, and prohibit partner manufacturers from selling LGBTQ-themed products on the Walmart website.
Under pressure from conservative consumers, Walmart reevaluated its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program and became the latest company in the United States to adjust this strategy.
Since 2020, Walmart has been working with the non-profit organization “Center for Racial Equity” to promote gender concepts and pledged to invest $100 million over five years to support suppliers where women, minorities, veterans, or LGBTQ community members own 51% of the shares.
However, Walmart’s statement on Monday indicated that they have decided not to renew their contract with the Center for Racial Equity and will gradually close its branches. At the same time, they will cease to disseminate the annual benchmark index evaluations led by LGBTQ+ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign.
A spokesperson for Walmart stated that the company will no longer allow third-party sellers to sell certain LGBTQ-themed products on Walmart.com, including products for transgender children such as chest binders and some books.
The spokesperson mentioned that Walmart plans to gradually phase out the terms “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in official documents.
Opponents of the DEI program, such as Robby Starbuck, have voiced their support for Walmart’s decision, suggesting that Walmart’s latest move could serve as a leading example for other companies to follow.
Starbuck told USA Today, “Walmart’s removal of woke culture will not only have a profound impact on its suppliers but also set a new direction for the American business community. Changing the operational policies of a company with a market value close to $1 trillion is an extremely challenging task, and while many have tried, no one has truly succeeded in doing so.”
He has successfully persuaded companies like Tractor Supply, Ford, and Deere to retract their diversity programs and related issues.
However, Walmart emphasized that these adjustments were not made solely due to Starbuck’s dialogue but had been planned for several years.
In an email statement, Walmart said, “We are always moving forward and are aware that we are not perfect, but the starting point for every decision is to promote a sense of belonging, create opportunities for all employees, customers, and suppliers, and make everyone feel the values of Walmart.”