Rollback Prices, Rollback Values: Taking a Stand for True Inclusion
Walmart, once celebrated as “the place where America shops,” now seems to question who “America” truly includes. The rollback of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives marks a troubling step backward, as Walmart joins the growing list of corporations retreating from programs designed not to divide but to foster fairness and progress. This is more than a shift in corporate policy—it’s a profound statement about whose voices, contributions, and lives matter. As a customer, a citizen, and someone who believes in justice, I cannot ignore this.
Malcolm X captured this moment perfectly when he said, “If you stick a knife in my back nine inches and pull it out six inches, there’s no progress. If you pull it all the way out, that’s not progress. Progress is healing the wound that the blow made. And they haven’t even pulled the knife out, much less healed the wound. They won’t even admit the knife is there.” Walmart’s actions—and similar moves by other companies—don’t just stall progress; they deny the existence of the wounds that DEI programs were created to address. DEI isn’t about charity—it’s about justice. It’s about creating opportunities and addressing systemic inequities that persist despite decades of civil rights struggles. And when a company as influential as Walmart retreats from such efforts, the consequences reverberate far beyond its walls.
A History of Progress Interrupted
Walmart’s rollback of DEI initiatives is the latest chapter in a long American tradition: progress made, progress resisted. History reminds us that every step forward in the fight for equality has been met with resistance. After the Civil War, Reconstruction offered a brief window of possibility for Black Americans, only to be crushed by Jim Crow laws and the rise of racial violence. The hard-won victories of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s—landmark legislation, expanded voting rights, and desegregation—were followed by backlash in the form of voter suppression and the persistence of systemic inequities.
Programs like Affirmative Action were designed to correct some of these inequities by creating opportunities for historically excluded groups, but their recent dismantling by the Supreme Court underscores a broader backlash against equity initiatives. DEI programs emerged to fill the gaps left by Reconstruction, Civil Rights legislation, and Affirmative Action. These initiatives sought to make workplaces, educational institutions, and communities more inclusive, addressing barriers that keep marginalized groups from accessing opportunities. Yet today, even these programs are under attack. Companies like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Ford have pulled back on DEI, citing neutrality or yielding to political pressure. In truth, these rollbacks are a refusal to acknowledge the systemic barriers that these initiatives were created to address.
Walmart’s decision is particularly significant. As one of the largest retailers in the world, Walmart serves a customer base that reflects the full diversity of America—across race, gender, identity, and class. For Walmart to retreat from DEI is to send a message that the inclusion and equity of its millions of customers and employees are negotiable. And that’s not just disappointing—it’s dangerous.
Who Shops at Walmart?
Walmart is often referred to as “the place where America shops,” and for good reason. Its customer base spans the spectrum of American life: Black, white, Latino, Asian, Native, LGBTQ+, working-class, and middle-class. Its shoppers are families buying groceries, workers picking up tools, and communities relying on affordable options. But Walmart’s actions suggest that they are willing to overlook the diversity of their customer base in favor of appeasing those who oppose equity.
This is where I draw the line. If Walmart doesn’t see me as part of America—if it doesn’t recognize the full breadth of its customer base—then why should I continue shopping there? Why should anyone? Why pay rollback prices on rollback values? Walmart’s retreat from DEI shows that it is willing to prioritize political expedience over the interests of the diverse communities it claims to serve.
Meanwhile, other companies have chosen a different path. Target, for instance, has maintained its commitment to workplace diversity and has made investments in Black-owned brands. Sephora launched its “15% Pledge,” dedicating significant shelf space to Black-owned businesses. Cisco has doubled down on inclusive hiring practices, recognizing that diversity isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s good for business. A 2023 report by McKinsey found that companies with diverse leadership teams are 36% more likely to financially outperform their less inclusive counterparts. Companies like Target, Sephora, and Cisco demonstrate that standing firm on inclusion strengthens their brands, drives innovation, and reflects the values of a changing world.
This is why Target just gained another loyal customer—because at least their bulls-eye is pointed toward progress.
The Cost of Rollbacks
The rollback of DEI programs doesn’t just hurt the employees and customers who benefit directly from them. It also sets a dangerous precedent for society as a whole. DEI programs were never perfect, but they were an important step toward creating opportunities for people who have been historically excluded—opportunities that should never have been withheld in the first place. By retreating from these efforts, companies like Walmart are walking away from the responsibility to address the systemic inequities that persist in our workplaces, schools, and communities.
It’s worth noting that DEI programs often produce measurable, positive results. Studies show that inclusive workplaces are more innovative, productive, and profitable. They foster better employee satisfaction and loyalty, which translates into better customer service and stronger bottom lines. Walmart’s rollback of these initiatives, therefore, isn’t just a moral failure—it’s a poor business decision.
When a company as big as Walmart makes this choice, it reverberates far beyond its stores. Other corporations take notice. Politicians and policymakers take it as a signal that equity and inclusion are no longer priorities. And marginalized communities—already bearing the brunt of systemic inequities—are left further behind.
Owning the Fight
This fight isn’t just for organizations like the NAACP or Color of Change to carry. It’s personal. I’ll say it plainly: I challenge all people everywhere to stand against these unfair changes. I challenge the NAACP, Color of Change, and the Urban League to push back hard. And most importantly, I challenge myself to act.
That’s why I’m taking a stand—I will personally boycott Walmart. I know this decision is symbolic. My refusal to shop there won’t single-handedly change its policies. But symbolic actions matter. They add up. They create momentum. They remind us that progress is not inevitable—it’s earned through collective effort, personal accountability, and an unwavering refusal to accept injustice.
What Real Progress Looks Like
Real progress, as Malcolm X reminds us, isn’t about surface-level fixes or partial pullbacks. It’s about acknowledging harm, addressing systemic barriers, and actively working to heal the wounds inflicted. DEI initiatives, while imperfect, were a step toward something better. They were about making workplaces more inclusive, leadership teams more diverse, and opportunities more accessible to people who have been historically excluded.
For example, DEI programs have been shown to increase representation in leadership roles, improve workplace culture, and foster innovation—benefits that ripple far beyond the corporate walls. They represent a commitment to fairness and a recognition that equity isn’t just an abstract principle—it’s a practical, measurable goal that strengthens organizations and communities alike. Walmart’s retreat from DEI is a choice. But so is standing firm.
A Call to Action
To everyone reading this: the time to act is now. These rollbacks are not just about DEI; they’re about the kind of society we want to live in. Do we want a society where equity is negotiable, or one where fairness is non-negotiable? Do we want to leave the wounds of the past unhealed, or do we want to work toward something better?
I challenge you to hold corporations accountable. Write to Walmart. Demand better. Support organizations like the NAACP and Color of Change. Shop at companies that value inclusion and fairness. And don’t underestimate the power of your voice, your dollars, and your decisions.
Defining America
America is not a single narrative. It’s a tapestry of voices, struggles, and triumphs. The corporations that claim to serve America must reflect that truth. Walmart has made its choice, but we can make ours. If the place where America shops doesn’t include all of us, then maybe it’s time to shop elsewhere.
Progress isn’t inevitable. It’s a choice we make every day. I’ve made mine. Have you?