Walmart: Okay, so what was that Walmart film really about? I know ........ trying to get us to look at the BIGGER picture of how you can't really get something for nothing. But, I mean, would it be considered a social injustice for those who continue to shop at Walmart? Also, is it UNAMERICAN, UNSAFE, SEXIST, and/or RACIST to shop at Walmart? Come on, my heart goes out to the unappreciated, overworked, underpaid employees who work in the factories, but is my not shopping at Walmart really going to make a big enough statement that the working conditions and benefit packages (in the U.S. and abroad) will drastically change for the better? I don't mean to sound cold at all. I just don't know how much of the documentary was really true. If you're not on the inside, you may never really know. Right? I'd heard about the insurance benefits ordeal, and I feel badly for those affected by that. But, if the management at the corporate offices are really trying to force the employees to use govt. assistance to fund their personal insurance needs and to supplement their income (food stamps, WIC, etc.), then shame on them, and someone higher up should really do something to put a stop to this madness.
A few years ago, there was a big controversy over the Walmart which is now in the Northcross Mall area (Anderson Ln.). I'd heard that the people in the neighborhood didn't want the store there because it would attract the wrong types of people to the area. Really? People from all SES shop at Walmart, the dollar stores, etc. How to you think some of them are able to keep more dollars in their pockets and bank accounts if they're not rich? It's certainly not by shopping at the most expensive stores every chance they get. Anyway, this whole thing makes me wonder whether some of the opposers were also made aware of some of the negative issues presented in the film that we saw in class.
Classism: To me, the concept of "class" has more to do with decency, integrity, and how you treat others than the amount of wealth, money, level of education, area of residence, who you know, or what your last name is. I grew up in East Austin, and all of the families who lived on our street were working class. Nobody was rich, but many had class. We helped each other out when needed, and most families (including ours) had their lights/water/gas turned off at some point, due to insufficient funds to pay. But, we still had class, and we were still rich, because we stood for something, and we had each other to lean on. You can be the poorest person in the world (financially), but still be educated, have compassion, know how to treat people, and have moral character -- even when nobody is looking.
Hi Shirley,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can definitely see how you feel about the wal mart situation...honestly, one person not shopping at the store probably won't make that much of a difference. It would take a very large number of people to stand up against the corporation for any kind of impact to occur. Like you said, it's really the people with decision making powers whom we should be looking to, to create sustainable change.
I found your bit about life in east Austin to be interesting and inspiring. I've lived in Austin all my life and it sparks my interest to hear about each person's experience. You're absolutely right that compassion and decency are what make a person wealthy. The way I see it, the sense of community in your neighborhood was very strong, and I think that makes a huge difference in someone's life.
Shirley,
ReplyDeleteI agree that wal-mart shoppers aren't necessarily the ones that are trying to hurt the workers that work there. I think its the job of the same workers to stand up for each other and bring awareness to the public about how wal-mart treats them and turn to unions for help. It just sucks that stores are becoming so available to people and we are sometimes pressured to only go to wal-mart. That's just me. About classims, I liked how you shared your story. I feel that class is just so made up. I feel like yea, if someone has education, independence, integrity, then they should be seen as that not based on monetary status you know!? Great Post!