The word "inclusive" has become a loaded one, at least for some people on the right side of the political aisle.
Chick-fil-A, for example, a company known for its owners' religious views and far-right beliefs when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues faced boycotts when it placed a job ad hiring a vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, has also made inclusive a negative word as part of his so-called "war on woke." That has included passing legislation through his state's rubber stamp heavily right legislature that limits how Florida's public universities can spend state funds.
"The law blocks public universities from diverting state or federal funds toward programs or campus activities that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion or promote political or social activism," the Associated Press reported.
DeSantis, along with former President Donald Trump and right-wing news media, have made "inclusive," a negative word that connotes some sort of liberal pandering. It's actually defined by the Oxford Dictionary as:
Aiming to provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or intellectual disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.
That seems like a noble goal, not an attack on America, and now Walmart (WMT) -) -- another chain known for its right-leaning founding family -- has made a move to make its stores more inclusive.
Image source: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
Walmart Creates a Safe Space For More Kids
Because it has traditionally been a company with conservative leadership, Walmart seems to get less scrutiny from the right than rival Target (TGT) -). Both companies, for example, sell Pride merchandise but only Target faced a backlash from right-wing shoppers for doing so.
Now, the chain risks angering its core audience -- and creating a Bud Light-style backlash -- by making a change in its stores for the back-to-school shopping season. The company detailed that change in a press release under the headline: "Creating a more inclusive shopping experience."
We are striving every day to create a culture where everyone feels they belong. This year, Walmart is taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that’s more enjoyable for customers who live with sensory disabilities. Our sensory-friendly hours will take place Saturdays in July and throughout August from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in most stores.
For areas that start school after Labor Day, sensory-friendly hours will begin July 22.
That's Walmart making a move that's inclusive for people with sensory disabilities.
"During these hours, stores will dim the lights, the music will be turned off, and anything with moving images on screens will be turned into a stationary picture," WHNT reported.
Walmart Is Also Offering Tools For Teachers
Walmart has created digital tools to allow members of the community to help teachers get the supplies they need for their classrooms. This includes three key offerings:
- New Classroom Registry: This tool features an all-new look and feel that makes it simple and easy for educators to plan, shop and share their classroom wish lists. Registries can easily be found by searching Walmart’s registry page by the teacher’s last name and state.
- School supply List: Walmart is again offering school supply lists curated by school districts and/or individual teachers to ensure their students have all the items needed for their individual classrooms for the upcoming school year. Simply type in the zip code, select school, grade, and teacher, and add it all to your cart with a single tap.
- Spark Good Registry and Round-Up: Later this July, public and private schools can create a nonprofit account to begin receiving tax-deductible donations via Spark Good Registry and Round-Up, allowing customers the opportunity to donate to their local schools year-round on Walmart.com and the Walmart app.
"Whereas Classroom Registry is aimed at allowing customers to fill their teachers’ wish lists, Spark Good is aimed at enabling customers to support the needs of the entire school by rounding up to donate change at checkout or purchasing items on a school's Spark Good Registry," Walmart shared.
