Walmart says it will scale back DEI initiatives amid growing debate

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, recently announced a series of changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The initiatives come amid a backlash against “woke” activism by corporations.
Corporations are stuck between competing interests. Some consumers have pushed back on corporate “wokeness,” and say businesses should stick to what they do best without diving into controversial societal issues. Other consumers advocate for corporations to embrace diversity and inclusion, arguing these efforts create opportunities, reflect modern values, and help build a better, more equitable workplace.
Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker and outspoken critic of DEI initiatives, has been at the forefront of challenging what he calls “woke” policies in corporate America. On Monday, he revealed plans to target Walmart, stating he intended to spotlight the retail giant’s approach to social and diversity-related issues, according to Fox Business.
Instead, Starbuck took to X and declared victory, stating that his discussion with the nation’s largest retailer ended with them responding positively to his agenda. He shared, “We had productive conversations to find solutions,” per Fox Business.
According to The New York Times, Walmart, like other companies and organizations, has been reevaluating its diversity, equity and inclusion policies in light of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions.
“‘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,’ the company said in a statement,” per The New York Times.
According to The Hill, the nation’s largest retailer is joining a fast-growing movement of companies scaling back progressive policies, alongside John Deere, Harley Davidson, Lowe’s and Ford.
According to Retail TouchPoint, the polices Walmart is pulling back from include:
Starbuck posted on X, “America just voted, and we voted against ‘wokeness.’”
According to The New York Times, Starbuck has primarily targeted companies like John Deere and Tractor Supply, which he believes are more likely to align with his movement. However, Walmart represents a different challenge, with employees and customers spanning both sides of the political spectrum. In a video, Starbuck announced that his next targets are Amazon and Target.