Walmart rolls back DEI policies, opts not to renew $100M philanthropic initiative

WALMART, THE WORLD’S LARGEST RETAILER, AND NOW, THE MOST RECENT CORPORATION TO ROLL BACK DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) POLICIES. WALMART CONFIRMED THE CHANGES MONDAY.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL NOT BE RENEWING ITS CENTER FOR RACIAL EQUITY, A $100 MILLION DOLLAR PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT “TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF GAPS IN OUTCOMES EXPERIENCED BY BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, FINANCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS.” THE CAUSE WAS PUT IN PLACE IN 2020 AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

WALMART TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IT ALSO PLANS TO MORE CLOSELY MONITOR THIRD-PARTY ONLINE SELLERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DON’T SELL SEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ITEMS MARKETED TOWARD CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHEST BINDERS.

THE COMPANY CONFIRMS IT WILL ALSO STOP PARTICIPATING IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN CORPORATE EQUALITY INDEX, AN ANNUAL SURVEY THAT ASSESSES POLICIES AND BENEFITS FOR LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEES.

“WE’VE BEEN ON A JOURNEY AND KNOW WE AREN’T PERFECT, BUT EVERY DECISION COMES FROM A PLACE OF WANTING TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING, TO OPEN DOORS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OUR ASSOCIATES, CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS AND TO BE A WALMART FOR EVERYONE,” WALMART REPRESENTATIVES SAID IN A STATEMENT.

THE CHANGES COME WEEKS AFTER PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP, A CRITIC OF DEI POLICIES, WON THE ELECTION.

ROBBY STARBUCK IS A CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR WHO’S BEEN VOCAL AND CRITICAL OF COMPANIES WITH CORPORATE DEI POLICIES, CALLING OUT THE COMPANIES ON X.

“WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE AT THIS POINT,” STARBUCK SAID IN A VIDEO ON X. “WITH A 100% FLIP RATE WHERE WE CHANGE CORPORATE AMERICA AND GET THEM BACK TO A CULTURE OF SANITY AND NEUTRALITY.”

LAST MONTH, A GROUP OF DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBERS WROTE A LETTER TO FORTUNE 1000 COMPANIES, ENCOURAGING THEM TO KEEP THEIR DEI INITIATIVES IN PLACE WRITING “WE WRITE TO CALL ON YOU TO REJECT DIVISION AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND INITIATIVES THAT GIVE EVERYONE A FAIR CHANCE AT ACHIEVING THE AMERICAN DREAM.”

WALMART JOINS A LIST OF OTHER COMPANIES THAT HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED THEY’RE ROLLING BACK DEI INITIATIVES INCLUDING TRACTOR SUPPLY, JOHN DEERE, LOWE’S, HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND FORD.