Sign in Subscribe
Cable television broadcasting industry

Retailers Remove Confederate Flag Merchandise Amid Backlash

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Major retailers Walmart and Sears announced they will remove Confederate flag merchandise from their stores, citing the flag's association with slavery and racism. The decision follows a mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, that left nine African-Americans dead. The symbolic flag has become increasingly contentious, with many calling for its removal from government buildings and online marketplaces.

Key Takeaways:

  • Walmart will remove all Confederate flag merchandise from its stores and online platforms, including T-shirts, belt buckles, and other items.
  • Sears Holdings Corporation, which operates Sears and Kmart, will also remove Confederate flag merchandise sold by third-party vendors online, despite not currently selling the flag in its stores.
  • The decision comes after the massacre in Charleston, which sparked widespread criticism of the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism.
  • Gov. Nikki Haley announced her support for removing the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds, saying it "does not represent the future of our great state."
  • Many 2016 GOP presidential candidates, including Jeb Bush, Rick Perry, and Scott Walker, have voiced their support for Haley's decision.
  • Online marketplaces Amazon and eBay currently list Confederate flag-related merchandise, including the flag itself, folding knives, T-shirts, blankets, and shower curtains, despite eBay's "offensive material policy" that bans items promoting hatred or racial supremacy.

Statistics:

  • The Confederate flag is associated with 9 deaths in a mass shooting at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • 21-year-old Dylann Roof, the shooter, has confessed to the murders and stated his intention to instigate a "race war."
  • Gov. Nikki Haley's announcement drew thunderous applause and cheers from a crowd of elected officials, including Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, and Republican Rep. Mark Sanford.

Sources:

  • Raw Story - Walmart removes Confederate flag merchandise from stores [https://www.rawstory.com/2015/06/walmart-removes-confederate-flag-merchandise-from-stores/]
  • CNN Politics and Finance Reporter MJ Lee - Walmart, Sears to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise [http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/22/us/confederate-flag-merchandise/index.html]
  • CNN - Gov. Nikki Haley supports removing Confederate flag from South Carolina capitol grounds [http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/22/politics/nikki-haley-confederate-flag-removal/index.html]
  • eBay - Offensive Material Policy [https://www.ebay.com/help/buying-and-selling/offensive-materials-policy/]
  • Amazon.com - Confederate Flag Merchandise [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=confederate+flag&rh=i%3Aaps&ref=nb_sb_noss]

Read more