Walmart to remove all Confederate Flag items; Do you think their response went overboard?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 09:42:37 -0400

Walmart said in a statement Monday that it is removing "all items" promoting the Confederate flag for sale from its stores and its website.

The move came the same day that Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina called for the removal of a Confederate flag from the state Capitol grounds in Columbia. Her announcement in turn came in the wake of last week's shooting at a historically black Charleston church that left nine dead.

Charged in the killing is Dylan Roof, 21, who is white and has been attributed with making white supremacist statements. He has been pictured with images of a Confederate flag.

"We never want to offend anyone with the products that we offer," Walmart spokesman Brian Nick said in an emailed statement. "We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment -- whether in our stores or on our web site."

The statement continued, apparently answering an inquiry from CNN that cited items for sale based on Confederate flag imagery that were available on Walmart.com. A story on CNN's website said the Walmart statement was in response to a network inquiry about sales of Confederate flag-related items.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/06/22/walmart-confederate-flag/29133531/

Walmart: No more items with Confederate flags

Walmart said in a statement Monday that it is removing "all items" promoting the Confederate flag for sale from its stores and its website.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 23 at 2015 9:52 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 09:52:08 -0400

To stay moderate, in light of everything that's going on, Walmart made a good choice.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 23 at 2015 9:52 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 09:52:17 -0400

It is nice to learn that the problem was not guns but another inanimate object the Confederate Battle Flag! I think it wise to ignore the actual problem and provide fake cures...we will be much safer....especially in WalMart.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 23 at 2015 10:25 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:25:04 -0400

I heard something interesting on the radio ..

If flying the Stars and Bars is OK because it has historical meaning to those in the South, what would you think about Germans with relations to men and women that served in WW2 flying the Swastika?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 23 at 2015 10:29 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:29:40 -0400

Worked for Wal-Mart here in Alabama for 5 months last year, and I honestly do not remember seeing a lot of merchandise bearing the flag, I am sure there probably was some, just do not remember it being prominently displayed or marketed. A good move on their part, but in the long run for those that wish to wear/display the flag, there are lots of places that they can go to get what they desire.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Jun 23 at 2015 10:50 AM

MAJ Jim Steven — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:50:06 -0400

this is one of those business moves that are done "for show" as it really doesnt change much, as one person said, there isnt a whole of this merchandise in the store, anyway.
Its good PR for Wal Mart

Not to highjack this thread...but a friend pointed out that Southerners didnt protect the brand. The flag was whatever it was, but then, it got associated with racism and white supremacy and no one really said anything...and now, its being removed from store shelves and monuments for being associated with racism/white supremacy.
you could say the same to Muslims...if suicide bombers are making your 'religion of peace' look bad...you might want to do something.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 23 at 2015 11:48 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 11:48:52 -0400

If WalMart truly does not want to offend anyone, they would remove all the "Gay Pride" items they sell and take their "WalMart Pride" website down.

All that crap is much more offensive to me than a Confederate flag.

https://www.facebook.com/walmartpride

Facebook

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 23 at 2015 12:07 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:07:48 -0400

Overreaction to the media. They apparently think not selling the flag will boost sales from the PC crowd. Support one segment of the population and ignore the other - the new definition of diversity.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 12:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:14:19 -0400

Yes, it is going overboard.
Freedom of speech works two ways, not just one.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 23 at 2015 12:14 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:14:52 -0400

Overboard? Yes. The right thing to do? Probably. At the end of the day, that flag was furled and stowed when we lost the war. The only time we should ever see it is in history books, museums and re-enactments.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 23 at 2015 12:28 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:28:14 -0400

Meh... Hey have the right to sell any product that they want. If people want to buy it, they will simply go somewhere else. That's how the Free Market works....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 1:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 13:24:40 -0400

It is up to Walmart they are a private business that can chose what it does and does not want to sell I am sure that there will be many other business that will have that type of stuff for sale so I don't really care I think that it is a bad business move but that is up to Walmart and they should be free to chose what they sell however people are free to chose where they shop.

Response by LCDR Bruce Cooley made Jun 23 at 2015 1:38 PM

LCDR Bruce Cooley — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 13:38:28 -0400

Yes...... While the "Battle Flag" has been used, or more correctly 'taken over' by different hate groups, it was and IS a historical flag with significance for a segment of our society. The issue should not be allowed to be subsumed by the 'hate groups" that have glommed on to it as a symbol today. Like our govt is trying to say with Islam, we need to separate the idiots who abuse it vs. the people who have historical ties to it. You do not have to "support" the ideology of what it originally stood for, to support the inclusion of it as a historically significant flag.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 2:34 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:34:33 -0400

It's pretty overboard but at the same time all it does is hurt their company. Now people will just buy the flag off of Amazon. Overall it's a rather meaningless, petty, and financially stupid idea. It won't work out in their favor. They're just grubbing for free commercial exposure.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 2:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:41:54 -0400

The Confederate flag has nothing to do with slavery. It is a battle flag of the confederacy. Suppose we have to remove our POW flag because it pertains mostly to the hated Vietnam war?

Response by SPC Don Stringer made Jun 23 at 2015 8:16 PM

SPC Don Stringer — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:16:07 -0400

I am more offended by the MADE IN CHINA markings on their products. Hypocritical @$#$^!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 8:56 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:56:10 -0400

So, I guess I will have to get my Conferdate Flags with Hank Williams Jr in the middle of them at the Flea Market. Dang!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 11:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:08:49 -0400

It's fun cause the minute someone is offended the country goes ape shit so what's next ban the American flag cause it offended people or better yet remove anything and everything that is offenses so we don't hurt the feelings of people I'm not racist or anything but the confederate flag is a historic thing and it's like any flag what every your meaning you want it to have is for you.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 24 at 2015 11:29 AM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:29:10 -0400

As a private business, it's their prerogative to add or remove any item from their shelves that they feel fits their business model.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Jun 24 at 2015 12:41 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:41:59 -0400

I think I'm REALLY tired of hearing about the Confederate flag nonstop, sheesh!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 12:00 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 00:00:18 -0400

The fact that we have leaders that can defend this flag in our military says a lot. Ask the family of the fallen what flag their loved ones volunteered, fought for and died for are draped in. That confederate flag and all it represents creates distrust, division and hatered in the ranks. That flag does not represent a nation, a culture, religion or race. It is a reminder of our negative past of insurrection and racial biast and divisions. There is nothing American about that flag or what it means. If you feel strongly about that flag vurses the American then you are unfit to lead and retire.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 25 at 2015 1:25 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 01:25:46 -0400

No, I think it is correct, and I also think it was a business decision SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.

Response by Cpl Scott Robinson made Jun 25 at 2015 4:44 PM

Cpl Scott Robinson — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:44:16 -0400

Way overboard!

Response by Cpl Scott Robinson made Jun 25 at 2015 4:46 PM

Cpl Scott Robinson — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:46:35 -0400

Do you any of you remember what happened to K Mart when the quit selling firearms after 9/11.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Jun 30 at 2015 3:25 PM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:25:00 -0400

What if we tell WalMart we are offended by the phrase "Made in China". Oh.yeah.. they laughed out loud...

Response by SP5 Andy Downs made Jun 16 at 2016 1:42 PM

SP5 Andy Downs — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:42:07 -0400

yes it ids completely over reacted

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 8:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:37:08 -0400

If Walmart really wants to not offend anyone with the products that they offer" . . . They should close every store immediately and forever!

Response by PO3 David Davis made Mar 7 at 2019 7:00 PM

PO3 David Davis — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 19:00:52 -0500

No they should not remove it, this is the Virginia battle Flag. Not the
Confederate Flag.

Response by SPC Kevin Musa made Mar 10 at 2019 4:46 PM

SPC Kevin Musa — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:46:23 -0400

Who cares what corporate America does. Doesn't change history.

Response by CPL James Ross made Apr 6 at 2019 9:53 PM

CPL James Ross — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 21:53:20 -0400

On the surface it may seem to be "a Good Thing." However, what will they drop next. In today's world, there are people that get offended by almost everything. Are they going to remove everything that pertains to the "Gay Nation"? What is next, anything Christian ???

Response by AN Deborah Jones made Feb 9 at 2020 1:29 AM

AN Deborah Jones — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:29:13 -0500

As a proud veteran that grew up in Louisiana I feel that if Walmart and other vendors remove items that are adorned with the Confederate flag, then remove all items bearing the image of MLK. This B.S. is going too damned far!