The Case Against Shopping at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, and McDonald’s: A DEI Perspective

I must admit, I have been vocal about my stance on certain retailers, encouraging people to reconsider where they spend their money. Specifically, I have advised against shopping at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, McDonald’s, and similar businesses that fail to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

However, this is not about passing judgment. People I have spoken with are unfamiliar with what DEI truly means. While they may recognize the acronym, they often lack a clear understanding of its significance. For clarity:

• Diversity refers to variety, ensuring different perspectives, backgrounds, and identities are represented.
• Equity means fairness and impartiality, ensuring equal opportunities and resources for all.
• Inclusion involves actively including and valuing all individuals, regardless of their differences.

Now that we have established what DEI represents, it is crucial to recognize that Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, McDonald’s, and similar corporations do not align with these principles.

Walmart was one of the first major retailers to publicly declare that it would not mandate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within its organization. This decision signaled a shift in corporate priorities, suggesting that the company no longer saw the need to emphasize diverse hiring practices or the inclusion of equitable product lines. At the same time, Walmart was quick to raise prices in response to anticipated tariffs, leveraging economic uncertainty to maximize profits at the expense of consumers.

The elimination of DEI considerations within Walmart’s corporate structure has direct implications for both hiring practices and product selections, making them less reflective of the diverse communities the company serves. It raises questions about which product lines are removed from shelves and whether the company’s workforce will continue to reflect America’s demographic diversity. Notably, Sam’s Club, a subsidiary of Walmart, is following the same approach. shelves. https://apnews.com/article/walmart-dei-inclusion-diversity-34b06922e60e5116fe198696201ce4d9

Target, often compared to Walmart as a more “upscale” alternative, has also distanced itself from DEI commitments, further reinforcing a corporate trend that moves away from equitable treatment and inclusion. Reports indicate that Target locations have even relocated ethnic product lines to less visible areas of the store, diminishing their accessibility and signaling a shift away from prioritizing diverse consumer needs.

With Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Target all stepping back from DEI-driven hiring and product strategies, the message is clear: diversity and inclusion are no longer priorities in their corporate policies. The broader implications of these DEI choices undoubtedly reshape the retail landscape and redefine the role of major corporations in fostering inclusive business practices.

The Shift Toward Self-Checkout and Job Reduction

One growing concern is Walmart’s increasing reliance on self-checkout lanes. Across their locations, self-service cashier stations are replacing traditional cashier stations. significantly reducing the need for human employees. While automation is progress, the reality is that this shift comes at the expense of workers—many of whom rely on these jobs to support their families.

This raises an important question: Why are paying customers now expected to perform the work of cashiers; scanning, bagging, and processing their own purchases without any form of compensation or discount? Customers are providing free labor while Walmart maximizes profits by cutting payroll costs. Meanwhile, these savings are rarely, if ever, passed down to consumers in the form of lower prices.

For decades, retail jobs at companies like Walmart have served as steppingstones for young workers, supplemental income for families, and stable employment for many in working-class communities. Every self-checkout machine installed represents another lost opportunity for someone who may have depended on that paycheck to make ends meet. If this trend continues unchecked, the economic impact on local communities will only worsen.

Given this reality, it is more crucial than ever for individuals to explore entrepreneurial opportunities that foster financial independence. Whether through small businesses, service-based enterprises, or community-driven initiatives, reclaiming economic agency is a powerful way to push back against the corporate prioritization of profit over people. If major retailers are determined to reduce their workforce, then the best response may be to invest in businesses that truly support and uplift workers rather than replace them.

lacing traditional cashier stations. This raises an important question: Why are paying customers expected to do the work of cashiers; checking out and bagging their own groceries without compensation? While automation is an inevitable part of the future, Walmart’s approach prioritizes profit over people. Every self-checkout machine installed represents another lost job that has historically supported working class families. If this trend continues, it becomes even more critical for individuals to seek entrepreneurial opportunities to restore economic agency and financial independence.

McDonalds and the DEI Dilemma

McDonald’s, Ole Mickey Dee’s, seems to be on every other corner, particularly in underserved communities. Have you ever noticed how McDonald’s franchises are disproportionately located in lower income neighborhoods, especially in Black and Brown communities? This major corporation frequently sells and buys back franchises, maintaining tight control over their locations and operations.

As one of the largest employers in the country, McDonald’s hiring practices reveal dark trends. The company employs Spanish-speaking and Black workers, often requiring minimal English proficiency for entry level roles. Meanwhile, White employees tend to view McDonald’s as a temporary job, a steppingstone to pay off debts, get through school, or transition into other career opportunities. For many Black workers, however, McDonald’s often represents a long-term employer rather than just a short-term gig. While moving up the corporate ladder is technically possible, for most, it remains an improbability rather than a reality.

This raises an important question: How was DEI ever perceived as a threat to McDonald’s when their business model has thrived on employing minority workers? They have profited significantly from this labor structure, making their reluctance to fully embrace DEI even more troubling. So, is McDonald’s simply rejecting DEI in name while quietly relying on its principles to sustain its workforce? https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-diversity-dei-goals-845d94cd46511341a43e98e057b0fa8e  

Seeking Alternatives and Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

Personally, I have never been an avid Walmart shopper, though I have occasionally visited their auto center for oil changes. This makes me wonder: Could Black owned auto service businesses step up to fill the gap left by disillusioned Walmart customers? A Black owned oil change business, for example, would offer a great alternative for those looking to reinvest their spending power into their own communities.

The same goes for McDonald’s. If we want to be intentional about where we spend our money, we should explore Black-owned burger joints and restaurants that reflect our values and actively support our communities. Making thoughtful choices about where we shop and eat can be a powerful step toward economic empowerment.

Final Thoughts

It is undeniable that anti-DEI efforts are unfolding before our eyes. While many of us may not have noticed these changes immediately, they have been in the works for quite a time.

As consumers, we have the power to decide where our money goes. Instead of supporting corporations that do not support us, we should be intentional about seeking businesses that align with our values. Whether through supporting local, Black-owned businesses or simply choosing retailers and restaurants that prioritize DEI, every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.

The question remains: Are we willing to change our shopping and dining habits to align with our principles?

Fwd:

•DEI BOYCOTT PLAN.

• THIS IS THE FIRST   STEP.

• LET’S FOLLOW AL SHARPTON’S LEADERSHIP.

• HERE IS THE DEI BOYCOTT PLAN THAT HAS BEEN SENT OUT TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOUR CONTACTS.

• THE 24 HOUR BLACKOUT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AS THE FIRST OF MULTIPLE COUNTER MEASURES TO THE ATTACK ON DEI

OUR FIRST OFFICIAL ACT:

• As our first initial act, we “TURN IT OFF”.

• For one day we show them who really holds the power.

• WHEN:

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH. from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Do not make any purchases.

• Do not shop online, or in-store

• No Amazon

• No Walmart

• No Best Buy

   Nowhere!

• No McDonalds

DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON FOOD:

• Fast Food

• Gas

• Major Retailers

• Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF NECESSARY:

• Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary items such as

(Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)

•If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

• Talk about it.

• Post about it.

• Document your actions that day!

WHY THIS MATTERS!

• Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.

• If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.

• If they don’t listen we make the next blackout longer.

• This is our first action.

• Our numbers are powerful.

• This is how we make  history.

AGAIN,

• FEBRUARY 28TH.

• The 24 Hour Economic Black Out Begins.

WE MUST USE THE POWER WE DO HAVE AND SEND AN ECONOMIC MESSAGE WITH OUR NUMBERS AS DR. KING DID IN THE 60’S.

NOW SHARE THIS MESSAGE AS OUR FIRST OF MULTIPLE ACTIONS AND STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE ACTIONS.

There’s gotta be a way to reach many others !

We Must become unified