I Don’t Mean to Be a Troublemaker
Remember my post about Walmart and the magazine rack? Well read on if you stand with me on this issue. I had to write a letter to the editor of our newspaper. Warning: It’s NOT for children and graphic at some points!! I’ve tried to add asterisks to keep little eyes safe and to keep the wrong web surfers away.
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I don’t shop at Walmart anymore. They care more about money than children. I’m not a political activist, only a mom who’s tired of watching the moral decay all around her. But, I never expected Walmart to stand on the side of moral decay.
For about a year, I’ve been very conscious of the magazine covers that are prominently placed in and around every single aisle at Walmart. Many of the magazines continually push the limits of what should be considered inappropriate. For a while, I simply turned the magazines over so that my children (who stand eye level to them) wouldn’t have to view the obscenity. However, recently, what’s on the back of the magazines is just as bad or worse than what’s on the front.
My next step was to pull the offending magazines and place them in a stack near the display, but away from the view of my children. Typically, two to four magazine titles were pulled and almost always the same titles – Glamour and Cosmopolitan the two most frequent. I would talk to the cashier and explain what I had done and why in hopes that he or she would pass my message on to management. In almost every case, the cashiers agreed that my children didn’t need to see the lewd material.
Finally, after not seeing any changes in the content of the magazine racks, I began to ask to speak to managers. After waiting more than ten minutes a couple of times with no manager showing up, I decided they didn’t care enough about the concerns of the customer and I wouldn’t waste my time trying to speak to them anymore.
So, for the last four months or so, I’ve been removing the offending magazines (from my aisle only) and kindly delivering them to the customer service desk with a simple message, “Would you please tell management that these magazine covers are offensive and my children don’t need to be subjected to such material? Thank you very much.”
Before I go on, I’m sure you might be questioning just what about the content of these covers is so offensive. Well, a short list would include: women whose n*pples are about the only thing covered, h*m*s*xuals French k*ssing, seductive poses, women almost n*ked together in group pictorials, and bold magazine phrases such as “Things He’s Thinking When You’re N*ked”, “Org*sm Q&A”, and “S*x He Craves”. I could literally go on and on.
In Walmart’s defense, one of the offending magazines has a plastic cover that’s supposed to block the outrageous article titles from view, but rarely have I found the plastic cover to actually be in use. Not to mention, the cover photo left exposed by the plastic is still typically very offensive.
On February 24, 2011, I knew something was different when I made my trip up to the customer service desk with a small pile of magazines. Every single cashier watched me as I seemed to walk in slow motion. Upon returning to my aisle, I told my daughter that something was up. And, sure enough, immediately an employee was putting the magazines back on their racks. When I mentioned kindly that I had just removed them because they were not things my children needed to view she told me I would have to speak to a manager.
I ended up speaking to two managers that day. One, a front-end manager whose name I didn’t get, the other an assistant manager named _______. It was very clear that “the crazy lady who brings magazines to the customer service desk” had been a topic of recent employee meetings because both managers came at me with their fighting gloves on. Neither spoke kindly to me from the get-go. I was prepared to have a kind conversation with them, but was attacked immediately with comments about “freedom of speech” and “not having the right to remove merchandise from the shelves.”
As for magazine covers having freedom of speech, I completely agree. However, last time I looked, freedom of speech has limits, especially when it comes to p*rn*graphic material. Whether or not these magazine covers fit the definition of p*rn*graphy isn’t a question in my mind when I consider the following definition:
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
P*rn*graphy
1. the depiction of er*tic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause s*xual excitement
2. material (as books or a photograph) that depicts er*tic behavior and is intended to cause s*xual excitement
3. the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to ar*use a quick intense emotional reaction
As for me not having the right to remove merchandise from the shelves, I had to chuckle at first. How is anyone supposed to purchase merchandise if they can’t remove it from the shelves? At any rate, I not only have the right, but responsibility to protect my children.
Films, television shows, video games, etc. are given a rating to help me decide whether or not they might be appropriate for my children. I have the responsibility at that point to either allow or not allow the material. But, I HAVE A CHOICE! No one is telling me that my children HAVE to look at something because I have the right to turn it off or not purchase it. At Walmart, however, I apparently don’t have that right. There is no rating system for magazines, so whatever the “powers that be” decide is appropriate will be what my children are forced to view. No matter what some people might say, when these lewd magazines are front and center in every single aisle, my children will see them no matter the distractions I attempt.
When I suggested to the managers that the store’s dedicated magazine section might be a better place for questionable material, would you like to know what I was told? Very plainly it was stated that these magazines are huge money-makers for the store and are purposely put there for impulse purchases. So, there you have it – money before children.
When I suggested that unless there was a change I wouldn’t be shopping at Walmart anymore, would you like to know what was said? The manager asked me, “Where else are you going to shop?” Walmart, you don’t own America yet. Every single item you sell in your store can be purchased somewhere else in my town, where I will likely not have to deal with obsc*ne magazines and rude managers. And, unless things do change, you will no longer get any of my business.
I wrote this as a letter to the editor because I want to do more than berate Walmart. I want to ask: Christians, where are you? Parents who care about the morality of your children, where are you? Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, where are you? Teachers and school administrators who stand for abstinence, where are you?
I was told I’m the only person to ever complain about the magazines as p*rn*graphic. I find that so hard to be true. But, if it is, I believe that saddens me more than any part of this story. I’m proud to stand up and fight this issue for my children and I’m happy to fight it for your children, too. I can’t do it alone, though. I challenge each of you to stand up with me, so together we CAN make a difference.
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The good news…
- My local newspaper only publishes 300 word letters to the editor, but printed this at 1200+ words!
- I’ve received a lot of positive feedback in my town and there’s even talk of starting a petition.
- The KY AFA (American Family Association) is very interested in the issue!
- It would take only a small number of us to contact our store managers about this issue to make a difference.
- God is on our side!
What will you do to fight inappropriate magazines where you live?
Comments
25 Responses to “I Don’t Mean to Be a Troublemaker”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
I am cheering you! So glad you stood up for all of us! Though I haven’t had that particular instance, I never take my children to a bookstore or movie store because of those very things.
The other day it was a bumper sticker in front of us at a stop light. I found myself doing all I could to distract my son from seeing the naked woman with the nasty comment attached. Sick stuff.
So thank you!
PS I’m blogging again…finally! http://trustinghishand.blogspot.com
Now I am really surprised. The Walmart near me (SC) takes great care in covering magazines like that up and if you mention it to the managers or the clerks they IMMEDIATELY appoligize and take them up. I live 5 miles away and have had to return on the same day or the day after more than once and the magazines were NOT returned or if they were, they were covered.
I would try the corporate office as well.
We don’t live in an area where Wal-Mart is an issue because in our neck of the woods we don’t have one. When we were in America we had a lot of issues and I’m going to be honest and say calling for a manger NEVER EVER fixed it. I was once left waiting so long to speak to one I was late for a birthday party I was throwing! They called me 24 hours later to apologise for the problem, apologise for the wait, but you know they never truly rectified the problem. Good for you on your stand! I’m grateful where I am we can avoid such ickiness by avoiding the magazine isle..
Way to go! I will most assuredly be more on alert … THANK YOU!!
Great Job! I commend your boldness. My husband wrote a letter to EZ Mart about this same thing, asking them to move their magazines from the front counter because he wanted to take the kids in the store with him to get treats. Not only did they move the magazines, they are no longer sold in that store!!! One voice goes a long ways so imagine how far we can get together!
I think most of us feel helpless when we think about confronting any large chain store managers about this kind of thing. I mean…what can one person do?
You have shown us what one person can do!
PS-I would contact the local new station as well.
I positively love you, girl!
Keep on!
Hi Cindy,
I DO remember your last post on this subject. It is definitely an issue that concerns me as well. I am shamed to admit, though, that as of yet I have not done anything about it. This current post, however, has me VERY motivated! I do shop Walmart regularly. I am a person who is not good with confrontation, so I have yet to speak up. I promise, now, I WILL! I am very interested in updates on your efforts in your hometown. I am also going to share this blog entry with my other friends. Thank YOU for being strong!
Go Cindy! I don’t shop at our Walmart, but for totally different reasons. However, I will be keeping my eyes open at other stores now:)
Cindy,
I had an issue with Wal-mart about Hispanic customers being able to use the 20 items or less isle with 100 items in their cart. After speaking with a Asst. Mgr. she told me that they weren’t allowed to say anything to them. So I got on Wal-marts website and wrote a complaint. It was the within a day or so that a local Wal-mart Mgr. called and assured me that they couldn’t say anything to anyone, not just Hispanic customers. So I suggested instead of making them exempt from the rules, how about Wal-mart put up Bi-lingual signs like they do in other parts of the store. This was promised to happen but never did. But the good thing is that I was able to get their attention through the Wal-Mart website. With your persistence I am sure you could go a long way with this issue! Good luck, you have my support.
Good for you. I don’t have a problem confronting managers either. I contact Universal every year when the grotesque Halloween Horror Nights billboards are all along I-4 which I take to get my kids to school. I have always found Wal Mart to also have poor customer service in Orlando.
I’ll join you in taking the magazines to the customer service, Kelsey has done that herself…even took some books from the library to the front desk and told them they were not appropriate for the children’s section of the Library… WAY TO GO!!! Great seeing you last week!~
They might have the freedom to print that trash, but we have the freedom NOT to be exposed to it!!!! (Just like places do not allow smoking for the very same reason.) I am going to stand with you and God against this! I will pray for boldness for all of us! Cindy, what about introducing a bill in the senate? I’ve read that they are always suppossed to start with, “For the establishment of…(and state the purpose).” What about if we cover the magazine covers with Bible verses printed in large font on letter paper? The verses could relate to the sin on the cover, but also to salvation. Would we be allowed to do that? What do you all think?
sweet cindy, you are my hero! i love that your were bold, girl! i hate the magazines at walmart. i don’t like walmart for a number of reasons, but i think the fact that they are money-hungry is the very worst part about them. i don’t shop there…i shop at target. and i my target (i don’t know if they’re all like this) but there is candy in the lane and little toys, etc. but the magazines are all in the book aisle back by the movies OR on the backside of the last checkout lane, where you would have to walk to intentionally to get one. so, needless to say…i’m not a fan of walmart. way to speak up!!
What a great post! I came across your blog recently through homeschool circles (some friends from church and I are in the process of putting together a Charlotte Mason homeschool co-op/community school). I love hearing how you stood up for the glory of Christ by being offended by and outspoken against things that do NOT glorify him!
I have to say (and this isn’t directed toward you, but all of us!) it’s easy to focus on the things that are glaring corruption in your face (magazines, etc.), but I think the real trouble with Walmart lies in the way they run their company! In recent years they have appeared to make an improvement to their long history of high-profile labor rights violations, but further research shows very little real improvement. Child labor, workers who aren’t allowed to go to the bathroom during a very long shift, workers who are getting paid a fraction of what they should be. Why do we, as Christian Americans, have an easy time taking issue with lewd pictures, but a difficult time boycotting the injustice and corruption behind the scenes? Just food for thought!
Rebekka
Good point, Rebekka! And how exciting to hear about your CM co-op/community school. I hope you’ll blog about it!
It saddens me that Walmart has turned in to what it is today. My mother worked and retired from Walmart in the early years when Sam Walton was still running the show. Totally different store/company than what it is today. Thank you Cindy for standing up for what alot of us think every time we go through a check out isle. This is not just in Walmart but also most grocery stores. Keep up the great work.
Blessings
Diane
Cindy,
God bless you for this article! I too am a “magazine turner”. To be honest, I had never thought to bring this up to the manager. I have, for other reasons, all but completely stopped shopping at Walmart. I will bring this up to the manager at Meijers, as sadly, I have already had problems with this issue in the checkout line. Thank you for being willing to write about this issue and encouraging others to stand up for our children. I should not have to have my children stand in the clothing area as I “prepare” the check out isle for them, goodness, this is my money I’m handing over and I’m sending my children away just to give it to these stores!
Again, thank you for the great idea!
Tammy
I completely agree and have also turned in offensive magazines to the customer service desk. I was shopping at a Kroger store and noticed a small boy staring at a magazine (right at his eye level) and it was not something a little boy should have to see. Talk about stealing innocence away! At this time I just felt so sorry for the little boy that I removed the magazine and took it to the service desk out of what I felt was my duty to look out for an innocent child. Most of the time I just turn magazines like that over, but the back is sometimes as bad as the front. And the last time the magazines were in a separate stand that only stood about 3 feet high, too short to catch the eyes of most adults, but the perfect height for a child to see. I believe this is an issue that does need to be addressed for the best interests of our children and grandchildren. I plan to speak with store managers the next time, instead of just turning the magazines over.
I am embarrassed to admit that I haven’t ever given much thought to the magazines on the shelves. Although my children are typically not with me when I do my shopping, I can see a big problem here. I am on your side, and I will be turning them in from now on!
Great job! Thanks for bringing it to more people’s attention, including my own. My daughter is usually too busy playing with the toys they stick a little farther down the isle to notice the magazines, but I know even seeing them for a second is damaging. Thanks again & I hope you update us on the progress!
“Where else are you going to shop?” That arrogant comment is enough for me to stop shopping there no matter what they do with their magazines. I had a similar problem in Wal-Mart when I objected to the p*rn*graphic music they were playing. The manager didn’t even have the manners to look at me when he was talking and told me that the home office chooses the music so there was nothing he could do about it. Compare this to a local restaurant who got the same complaint from me about the same music and fell over themselves apologizing and changed the music on the spot. Wal-Mart is getting too big for its britches as my grandmother would say.
I would call their 800 number, my husband used to be an assistant manager and at least at that time, that was the best way to get any action. I would let them know the way the management responded too, I can’t believe it.
We don’t really shop at Wal-Mart anymore, we find K-Mart to be just as cheap or cheaper and we generally save money staying out of those stores anyway, because there are “good deals” we can’t seem to pass up every time we are at any of the “mart” type stores.