The following paragraphs appeared recently in the New York Times:
Wal-Mart is the single largest seller of pop music in the country, accounting last year for sales of an estimated 52,000,000 of the 615,000,000 compact discs sold in the United States. Its refusal to stock albums with lyrics or cover art it finds objectionable has long been a frustration for some customers, musicians and recording industry executives.
What is harder to spot, many in the music business say, is the way the discount chain’s distribution decisions are affecting the production of music. Because of Wal-mart’s clout, record labels and bands will design different covers and booklets, omit songs from their albums, electronically mask objectionable words and even change lyrics to gain a place on Wal-Mart’s shelves.
Needless to say, Wal-Mart’s policy does not sit well with those in the media. You know, the ones who cry “Censorship” every time someone objects to the filth they produce. This is what director Oliver Stone said about Wal-Mart and other companies who refuse to sell pornographic music and videos.
“This is a new form of censorship that’s come into being in this country,” said Stone, whose director’s cut of Natural Born Killers was banned by Blockbuster, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. “Essentially it’s the sanitization of entertainment. Studios like Warner Brothers won’t even release a film rated NC-17. They point to economic pressure from Blockbuster and Wal-Mart, who won’t carry those videos. People don’t understand how much power these corporations have.”
A Wal-Mart spokesperson stated:
Producers of music know up front that Wal-mart is not going to carry anything with a parental advisory on it, and that’s something they’re going to have to factor in when they produce the product. Our customers understand our music and video merchandising decisions are a common-sense attempt to provide the type of material they might want to purchase.
When I read these quotes, I felt like going out to Wal-Mart and buying something, anything, just out of gratitude for their marketing policy.
Now, let’s make a few observations. In case you hadn’t noticed, censorship is a word used in a very biased manner by those in the media. Censorship is a dirty word as far as they are concerned. It’s not that they themselves do not practice censorship; they just don’t call it that. Some of you may remember a few years ago when we approached the public library about the reasons why they accepted or rejected certain books. They said that making such choices was called selection. Mmm, I’ll have to think about that one.
Second, the next time you hear a spokesperson for a company that has been threatened with a boycott because of their practices say, “Boycotts don’t work,” or that they “will not be pressured into giving in,” don’t believe them. The above quotes make it clear that the decisions of Blockbuster and Wal-Mart are having a positive impact in the movie and music industry. Also, when each of us as individuals refuse to buy from concerns that contribute to the moral decline in our society, we are making a difference.
Third, Wal-Mart’s policy runs counter to the cry of many retailers who claim they must sell certain merchandise if they are to compete in the market place. It is interesting that the New York Times article stated that Wal-mart’s policy has been a source of frustration for “some customers, musicians and recording industry executives.” Since they are the leading retailer of compact discs in the country, it certainly doesn’t sound like their customers are feeling frustrated. I strongly suspect it is the musicians and music executives that are really feeling the frustration.
Finally, we should all let Wal-Mart know that we appreciate their policy. We should be as quick to express appreciation as we are to condemn. It would be great if you sent a quick note to Wal-Mart expressing your gratitude. You can write them at:
President/CEO David D. Glass
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 S. W. 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72716