Just how wrong Walmart's haircare policy is has actually been brought to the company's attention several times before. CBS Los Angeles reported on a local woman who filed a racial discrimination lawsuit in 2018 when she had to seek assistance to buy a hair product. While some natural hair products can be pricey, the item she wanted to buy — and needed someone to unlock a case so she could have access to — was a comb costing 49 cents. A 2019 Ebony article also called out the retail giant for racial profiling, and there have been a few petitions circulated over the years calling on Walmart to end haircare discrimination.
Walmart tried to defend their policy to CBS MoneyWatch, saying "Like other retailers, the cases were put in place to deter shoplifters from some products such as electronics, automotive, cosmetics and other personal care products," but CBS News reports that as of June 9, they will no longer be including hair care products in this high-security category. All of the stores that had been following this practice (which they claim to have been only about a dozen out of their 4,700 locations) should immediately cease and desist. Okay, Walmart. An apology might have been nice, too, but at least you're finally doing the right thing. Not insulting your customers, that's basic business 101. And resisting racism wherever it rears its hideous head... that's just basic humanity.
