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Picture it — wash day and I’m out of conditioner, low on shampoo, and in need of curling custard. So, I head to my local Walmart to stock up on wash-day essentials. Imagine walking in and finding that the products for your hair type are locked up. Behind glass. Not accessible to customers without a key and direct oversight of a store employee. That was my experience when I visited a Walmart located in California’s Bay Area.
The products for Black hair, African American hair, natural hair, textured hair, whatever you want to call it, were under lock and key. Meanwhile, a few steps away all the other hair care products were on open shelves for people to touch, read the labels, smell (let’s be real, people do it), and go.
Shopping While Black
In the past, shopping while Black might have entailed being followed around by a store employee…usually at a distance so it wasn’t too obvious. Or, maybe it meant walking into a store without being greeted by an employee. For some, it looked like getting to the register, pulling out a credit card, and being asked for identification while other shoppers didn’t have to do the same.
Now, shopping while Black means the products that cater to your needs are locked up. It means finding an employee to unlock the case. Once unlocked, it means being watched like a hawk while you shop because you can only remove one product at a time. Or, it means feeling rushed into choosing a product. This describes my shopping experience in a society that people claim is post-racial.
The Products for “Your People”
Unable to shake the feeling that came with shopping while Black, I decided to say something. I asked a Walmart associate why all the Black hair care products were locked up. She chuckled and said, “It’s not just the products for your people.”
Your people? Talk about adding insult to injury. The Walmart associate proceeded to say that they’re multicultural products.
In my incredulity, I posted this exchange along with pictures online. A friend who identifies as White shared that she uses these products, which made me realize that these products are also used by people who do not identify as Black. However, it is my understanding that Black people use these products in higher quantities than people from other racial backgrounds.
In fact, according to a Nielsen Insights Report, Black consumers spent $54.4 million on “Ethnic hair & beauty aids” in 2017. The total spent in that category was $63.5 million. That means Black consumers were responsible for 86% of the spending in that category.
To be thorough, I conducted online research. Walmart’s website has a category called textured hair care. Subcategories include: wavy, curly, straight and relaxed, kinky, coily. Looking at the models, it appears that according to Walmart, “textured” might be synonymous with Black.
In addition to the models on Walmart’s website, the brands listed in the textured section corroborate the idea that these are indeed products for African American people. Companies in this section include Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter, Dark & Lovely, SoftSheen Carson, and Pantene Gold Series. Now people may see Pantene and think, “That’s not a Black product.” Well, according to Pantene’s website, the Gold Series Collection is designed for “women with relaxed, natural, or transitioning hair. This superior care and styling line was created by Black PhD’s and scientists who understand the unique needs of textured hair.” Pantene’s description coupled with the models on their website leads me to believe that textured, natural, and transitioning hair might be code for Black.
All that to say, I feel comfortable referring to these products as Black hair care products as they have been historically used by, and perhaps were even created for, Black people. Furthermore, the men and women pictured on the products’ packaging present as Black.
The Implications
Back to my experience at Walmart. The associate had yet to adequately answer my question about why these particular products were locked up. She said they’re locked up because they get damaged and people smell them. I directed her attention to lotion on a nearby aisle that had been pumped out. Why wasn’t that also locked up?
Appearing to grow impatient with my questions, she asked what I wanted to buy. At this point, I wanted nothing because I was beyond upset. Instead of selecting an item to purchase, I embarked on a quest to find a manager.
In the midst of retelling my story to an associate manager she exclaimed, “It’s not racist,” then proceeded to inform me that the store manager is African American too. My word, where do I start?
Saying the practice isn’t racist because the manager is African American is like saying someone with a Black friend can’t do or say racist things. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.
Now, let’s take some time to unpack the word racist, which the associate manager introduced into this conversation. Locking up products that are largely used by a specific group of people is a practice that’s rooted in racial discrimination. By locking up these specific products, the implication is that people who purchase these products steal. My hunch is that African American people buy these specific products at a higher rate than people from other backgrounds. Therefore, locking up these products perpetuates stereotypes about a specific group of people. If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…it’s probably racist.
This practice serves as an example of the microaggressions that Black people have to deal with on a daily basis. It may seem small to some, just a policy to Walmart, but for the people who have to deal with it, it adds up and can really take a toll on one’s health.
It seems like acts of racial discrimination are happening time and time again. Between washing our hair, waiting for a friend at Starbucks, and barbecuing, African American bodies and the products we buy are being policed. When will it end? We just want to wash our hair, drink our coffee, and barbecue in peace.
Walmart’s Response
Not satisfied with Walmart’s response the night of the incident, I contacted corporate. A representative said products could be locked up due to theft in the area or a state law. When I inquired about the state law, she admitted that she wasn’t familiar with any law. Calling corporate proved to be futile.
Eventually, I heard from a different assistant manager at the original location who shared that once the store receives more glass cases, the whole department will eventually be locked up. I pointed out the fact that there were empty shelves in the glass cases that they currently have, but she did not have a response.
The assistant manager proceeded to say that the products being locked up is “an inconvenience” and that she uses some of those products since, “I’m Portugese, Hawaiian, English, Island, Dutch. I’m a random. So we’re not saying it’s a certain race or anything.” The fact that she was trying to justify the behavior by identifying was infuriating. In my attempt to engage in perspective-taking, I can hear what she’s saying about using these products. However, when people on the boxes look like you, it becomes more than an inconvenience. As a Black person, seeing a reflection of yourself on the products that are locked up is infuriating, humiliating, disheartening, and insert any other adjective that can convey the hurt and pain you feel.
According to the assistant manager, products are locked up based on reports of what is high theft and it’s not necessarily about shrinkage for the store. When I asked for the numbers to corroborate that, she said the manager would have those statistics. She then shared that the manager is also African American and he gets approached by people who say, “You of all people should know better.” How many times are Walmart employees going to use this man as an excuse to engage in racist practices? The fact that the store manager shares my racial background does not make it okay and it definitely does not erase the pain.
Rule or Exception
The curious sociologist in me wanted to know if this Walmart was the rule or an exception to it. So, I visited several other locations. Black, or textured, hair products were locked up in three other Bay Area locations. On the other side of the aisle, other products were on open shelves. The same was the case when I visited a Washington, D.C. location; now we’re crossing state lines.
When I strolled to the hair care aisle in one Northern California store, I was a bit surprised by what I found. The hair care aisle had no Black hair care products. At first glance, this store seemed to be lacking representation. Then, I ventured to the cosmetics section. Like some other locations I’ve visited, the cosmetics section has its own cash register, which is monitored by a Walmart employee. It was in this section that I found a shelf labeled “Multicultural Hair Care.” The products were on an open shelf, but located in a section that is being policed in a different way. Perhaps this is Walmart’s take on separate but equal.
So, I ask you, is the Walmart that I originally visited the rule or an exception to the rule? At this point, I’ve visited eight stores and counting. I even ventured outside of the state. Of the eight, two had all hair care products on open shelves in the hair care aisle. The remaining six had questionable practices. It looks to me like this may be the rule — a rule that is rooted in racial discrimination and implicit bias.
Call to Action
Walmart, we have a pattern. Black hair care products are being locked up and it’s not an isolated incident or due to a state law that no one can tell me more about. I have yet to receive an adequate response about Walmart’s practice of locking up products that are used by people with a certain hair type. To recap, we’ve heard that it’s because these particular products get damaged, sniffed, and stolen. At least settle on one answer.
Readers, I need your help. Please snap a few shots of the hair care aisle at your local Walmart. Please tag MarissaTeachableMoments, Walmart, and WalmartHelp in your photos on social media. Additionally please contact Walmart Corporate if you see certain products in glass cases at your local Walmart. Finally, please consider shopping elsewhere.
To Walmart, I have one thing left to say: Let my people products go!
~ Marissa
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All this🙌🏾 thanks for always calling “these” people out on this ish
Lol. It’s not racist.smh
Smh, indeed!! The whole thing was a mess…and I still want answers.
I actually saw this on Twitter and was shaking my head. If they are going to start locking up products, why not lock up the entire store? Picking specific products is definitely making a statement that is not a good look on them.
Yes, they should lock up the entire store or at least the entire section. In my opinion, locking up specific products is a form of discrimination.
Oh WOW! I am going to check out the hair product aisle next time I am at Walmart to see if mine has also done that. Will def take a photo if so because this is bananas.
Thanks, Amber! Please keep me posted. It really is ridiculous!
I regularly shop at 2 different Wal-Mart stores and neither one locks up any hair care products.
Nice, hopefully that’s the case with more stores.
Oh wow I’m sorry you went through that! Hopefully they correct this.
Thank you! I plan to visit the local stores in about a month, see if anything changes.
This is such a neat post, I didn’t know about anything like this. thank you for sharing this.
Yea, the practice is pretty ridiculous. Please be on the lookout at your local Walmart.
Utterly ridiculous! Way to not take it silently. If I were you I might also reach out to the manufacturers and suppliers of the locked up products to help you put the pressure on Wal-Mart from both sides. I can’t imagine they’re happy their products are harder for consumers to purchase.
That’s a good point. Thanks for that suggestion! Someone tagged the manufacturers in a video I posted on Instagram, but I should officially reach out to them.
This is so meaningful, Marissa. It definitely takes a sharp eye to put all this together; I hope you manage to get a good resolution from this. 🧡
Thanks Shafinah. At this point, Walmart needs to come up with a solid answer and resolution.
Wow this is CRAZY! I feel as if perhaps the moral of the story is to not shop at Walmart for Black Hair care products? Where I am they have a very limited supply even of “mixed” hair products and much prefer to shop at local beauty supply stores in general. Sad state of affairs Walmart!
Sad, indeed! Yes, I also prefer to shop at local beauty supply stores. I haven’t spent a penny at Walmart since this happened.
Neither would I! I commend you for keeping them accountable. No matter how they “spin” it, the intentions of their actions are clear, it’s sending a message that we can hear.
Yep, we can hear Walmart’s message loud and clear!!
This is an interesting article and now I want to check my local Walmart’s hair product aisle. Thanks for pointing this out!
Yes, Vicky…please take a look and let me know what you find at your local Walmart.
I’m so sorry about your experience and what you have to go through! Definitely not okay and I hope that this message is heard and shared!
Kileen
cute & little
Thanks Kileen! I hope that Walmart makes some changes.
Omg it’s outrageous! I’m pissed on your behalf. Honestly I’ve never seen anything like this here in Italy but it’s disgusting nonetheless
So outrageous! Glad you haven’t noticed anything like that in Italy!!
The fact that the higher-ups try and justify it with the “we have an African American manager” is bull crap. Like you said identifying as a race doesn’t make an ignorant practice right.
There’s no Walmart here in NYC, but when I used to go to North Carolina stuff wasn’t locked up…just pushed to the back in a designated area like leftovers 🙃.
Yea, that justification is weak at best.
Pushed to the back like leftovers? Smh. Guess that’s better than being locked up.
I wonder if you could also send this post to local news outlets to see if you could get additional spotlight attention on this issue to help motivate their corporate office to take a move invested interest than they did when you call them?
I tagged local news outlets on social media, but perhaps I should try a different approach. Thanks for that suggestion.
Oh wow this is just insane. I’m really sorry. Such a damn shame.
It really is a shame! Part of me can’t believe it, but there’s another part of me that (sadly) isn’t surprised.
I can’t believe this! Thanks for taking a stand and sharing this. It’s important for these issues to be raised as changes need to be made.
Yes, changes really need to be made. I’m hoping this makes a difference!
I’d love to say I’m shocked, but sadly this is another disgusting example of systemic, overwhelming racism. Im checking my store next tim I go in and will say something if the natural hair products are displayed any differently.
Systemic, blatant racism! Please keep me posted on the hair products the next time you visit Walmart.
Wow! This is crazy! I can’t believe that they do this
It is truly unbelievable!
I am so glad I came across your post. This is in part why I started making products and started my own business. There are many makers like myself that are working hard to not only address the need for better alternatives to commercial skin and hair care. But to provide a shopping experience that you deserve.
I tell people all the time and mean it. If I don’t make something you are looking for, I can find someone who does. It’s time we stop letting big box stores dictate our experience while taking our money.
I had an experience where a black Barbie was 10.00 more than the exact same type white Barbie. So it’s not just in locking up products. They price jack as well.
Thanks for the good read. Please stop by sometime.
Camille
http://www.hazelssoapery.com
Thanks for sharing your experience, Camille! #ShoppingWhileBlack shows up in so many ways. I will definitely take a look at your site.
💙
I have noticed this at Walmart too. I’m from Europe, but I recently moved to the US for my studies. Back home (in Romania), none of the products are locked up. But then I came here, I saw hair shampoo, deodorants and even razors locked up. Locking products up is so stupid. You’re the customer, you should be able to touch and look at that product before buying it.
The US has a lot of work to do. At the Walmart in your area, are all of the hair products locked up or is it the “textured” hair products?
I’ve noticed this at Walmart too. I’m from Europe, but I recently moved to the US for my studies. Back home (in Romania), none of the products are locked up. Here, I’ve seen not only hair shampoo, but also deodorant and razors looked up. I know they say they do this to prevent anti-theft, but i still find it stupid. The customer should be able to touch and look at the product before deciding if they want it or not.
If it is indeed to prevent theft, then I’d love to see the statistics. I’m curious to see a breakdown by category.
This is an interesting post and seriously CRAZY. I cannot believe it! Thank you for following up on this and bringing it to everyone’s attention.
It’s so hard to believe. I will update the post when I get a response from Walmart.
Wow, I am so happy I came across this. This is something I have not noticed but am happy to be informed about. I am curious to check out the situation at the Walmart here in Kansas City, Missouri and see if it is similar.
Hi Mallory, please check out your local Walmart in Kansas City and keep me posted. I’m still waiting for an official response from Walmart.
What makes it worse is now you have to find somebody to open the case so you can get what you need, which is next to impossible since Walmart never has enough employees-and half the time when you finally find an employee they try to run away around a corner or something when they see someone needs their help! And when and if you can finally get someone to open the case, what happens if you need to take a few minutes to decide what you need? How are you NOT supposed to feel rushed if the employee is standing there waiting for you to finish so they can lock up the case?
Exactly!! Some locations have button you can press when you need something unlocked. Still, there’s a wait time for the store employee to arrive. Then, you feel rushed into choosing a product. It’s so ridiculous.
Dang! The locked cabinets would piss me off! Good for you for sharing this and the call to action.
Yep, it’s so frustrating and unfair!
I saw someone brought this up a few months ago. I had no idea. It’s not right.
It really isn’t right. I’m still waiting for answers from Walmart.
I saw someone brought this up a few months ago. I had no idea. It’s not right.
Thank you for bringing up this issue, i’ve never thought/noticed this before, but I also don’t shop in Walmart. I’ve seen that shave products are locked at Walgreens and also don’t understand why – it’s an inconvenience for everyone. The fight against racism is far from over and a discussion about things that are happening in the most subtle ways needs to happen every day.
Far from over, indeed! Yes, these discussions are so necessary. Acts of racism can really take a toll.
Hello Marissa!
I agree with all you stated! The mindset of most white people (not all thank GOD!) is that they better and do NOT steal or hate.
But then, when you think about it. What did the white explorers do to the people who were living here way before they did? Or even knew there was land here? They just took whatever they wanted. From there on they have taught their kids to hate and form this racism and stereotypical thoughts they have about any peoples darker than they are. And the native peoples who were here 1st were killed off the land they wanted as though they wanted to remove the natives from history.
As a woman of color I will walk into Walmart minding my own business I will be looking at a something to buy and a person who is not a person of color will stand near me, snatch the tag off of a garment , look back at me and put the garment in their pocket. And this applies to white hair products too. I see white teenagers messing with the products doing as they please. And some will mess with the Black hair care products as well too if they do not actually BUY them
But yet these white hair products are not locked up.
With this covid-19 thing happening….these racists need to be humbled and think twice. GOD does not like what we do to each other and stop this nonsense.
If we as people of color, all shades of black to light brown, (who know they are not white) supported each other and formed our own businesses with people of color buying them….we could have a decent living. We would be able to have jobs, teach each other how to provide for our families without the dependent thinking of going to only white businesses. More so than what we do now.
I am sorry that this is so long. But I had thought for some time that I was the only one that could see this stuff at walmart….and other stores we pay our good hard earned money to.
Thank you for your time Marissa!
Thank you for your post!
Have a blessed day!
JJ
Thank you for sharing your experience, JJ! A lot of the things we’re seeing now can be traced back to history, discrimination, and implicit bias.
It’s true, people of color need to form our own businesses and support one another. I recently started a business, so I’m trying to take steps in that direction. Reading your post has encouraged me to keep on going even when things get difficult.
Thanks again for sharing!
You are quite welcome. We all need to adjust our thinking as to realizing we are the 1st people to walk the earth. And we knew how to build things, create, grow food and work the land for starters. I thank you so very much for post. Have a blessed day. and stay safe ad healthy!