Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS have made a significant commitment to cease the practice of locking up beauty products aimed at Black women and other individuals from diverse backgrounds. This decision comes in the wake of heightened awareness surrounding systemic racism, fueled by the tragic incident involving George Floyd in Minneapolis. The beauty aisle in many drugstores has long reflected a troubling disparity: products meant for white customers are typically displayed openly, while those designed for Black consumers are often secured behind glass or hidden away.
Retailers Take Action After Years of Complaints
After years of complaints and even a federal lawsuit, these three major retailers have finally taken action. According to NPR, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS each released statements confirming their plans to eliminate the practice of securing multicultural hair care and beauty items. A spokesperson for Walmart stated, “We recognize the concerns expressed by our customers and community members and have decided to stop locking away multicultural beauty products—a practice that existed in about a dozen of our 4,700 locations nationwide.” Walgreens and CVS echoed this sentiment, with CVS noting a 35 percent increase in their inventory of products catering to communities of color over the past year. They emphasized that their security measures were not racially motivated but were willing to adjust their policies in light of the feedback.
A History of Discrimination and Legal Action
This discriminatory practice has not only sparked recent outrage; it has also been the subject of formal grievances for years. In 2018, a woman named Clara Jennings filed a federal lawsuit against Walmart after she felt humiliated by the way products for African-Americans were treated. Her complaint highlighted the segregation of hair and body products, which she felt portrayed her as a criminal. Walmart defended its actions by citing high theft rates for various items that warranted enhanced security.
Looking Forward
We hope that other retailers engaging in similar practices will take note and end these discriminatory actions. For more insights on related topics, check out this post on our site here. If you want to learn more about home insemination, this resource from Intracervical Insemination is an authority on the topic. Additionally, for excellent resources on pregnancy, visit Progyny.
Conclusion
In summary, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS are making strides to remove barriers for Black beauty products, acknowledging long-standing issues of racial inequality in retail.