Friday, May 6, 2005
Mother’s Day is an annual occasion to reflect and celebrate your mommy. Some students express thoughtfulness with roses, chocolates or jewelry. When retailers promote these items, budget constrained individuals turn to a renowned valued-laced mecca — Wal-Mart.
Low prices and a lovable yellow smiley attract large revenue. So much that our local Lawrence Wal-Mart is expanding to “better provide” for our community. Is this claim even valid?
Justin Douglas, customer service manager, was naïve when he said “I think [store expansion] will open up a lot more jobs for students.” What he failed to mention was that women need not apply.
My basis for this allegation is Wal-Mart’s proven track record of discriminating against hard-working women. Of the 1.5 million employees, women make up 72 percent of the hourly workforce yet only represent 33 percent of the managers. Only 15 percent are store managers. 650,000 men and women do not get health care from Wal-Mart. These facts are unacceptable and damaging to our local and national economy.
Wal-Mart can change. First, knock off this sexist crap and remove the glass ceiling. Second, pay your employees a living wage — based of a 2003 Drogin study, you can afford it by increasing all prices by one penny.
I will admit that I am somewhat hypocritical as I occasionally pick up a few items at America’s largest employer. As a broke college student the choice of where to shop is a financial one and not one based on business practices. Join me and take your money to another respectable retailer, at least for Mother’s Day.
Our mothers deserve fairness and respect — something Wal-Mart cannot comprehend but tries to market.
Nate Manderfeld
Leawood
English
Web designer for Kansan.com
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