The People of Walmart

Allow me to be upfront before you read any further.

This is not a post about the infamous website in which jabs and mocking fun are poked at the shoppers and consumers of Walmart. If you clicked on this piece in hopes of viewing ridiculous images or haughty commentary highlighting the very special breed of folks who are often found wandering the aisles in the middle of the night at their local Walmart, you will be sadly let down.

Having gotten that out of the way, I wanted to point out some interesting news I read yesterday. It appears, that come next spring, Walmart will begin selling crafts and items created by third world country female artisans.

Right. I said Walmart.

So, what's the big deal, you ask? Well, beyond the logic that the Walmart business model seems to be in direct opposition to organizations premised on Fair Trade tenets, what does this potentially mean for the American artisan/handicraft designer/artistic entrepreneur? What about the thousands of jobless Americans who struggle daily in this nightmare of an economy? Why hasn't Walmart tapped into the the local circuit of artistic talent that prevails in the United States...people who would likely benefit from having some of their creations sold?

Oh right; that would probably be less cost-effective than say, reaching into the highlands of Guatemala to snap up goods labored by a poverty-stricken villager who has no grasp of the connection between capitalism and globalization that drives Corporate America today.

Let's not even get me started about the history of Walmart and its poor reputation regarding the treatment of its employees. Or the fact that pretty much all of the goods sold there are already made in third world countries by folks who are socially and economically deprived.

And for the record, I don't condemn those who shop at Walmart or who might even be employed in their stores. Hell, the way things are in this country, it just seems more practical to try and save money where one can. And if you work at Walmart? Bless you for having a job.

What frightens me about the Walmartization of craftsmanship is twofold:

1. Will the artisans of these far-away lands be taken advantage of by the corporate machine that is Walmart? Will they truly be treated fairly and paid appropriately for what they produce? Will their items become mass-produced just like every other product sold in places like Walmart (and other large, chain markets)?
   
2. What does this imply for those in "first world" countries who already try to make their living by creating one-of-a-kind art, jewelery, clothing, etc.? I'm talking about the people who work hard to promote their products as original pieces that would *never* be found a corporate chain store. How does something like what Walmart is arranging impact them?

Think about it. If the newest, coolest, trendy item can be purchased for a couple of bucks at Walmart, what happens to artisans who are independently trying to sell their wares at higher costs? I brought this thought to the business forum on Etsy and there was a LOT of discussion that ensued. Some of it was positive and hopeful, but much of it was rather negative, and rightfully so for the most part.

Oh, and speaking of Etsy? You know, that vast online venue that seeks "to empower people to make a living making things"? (said Etsy founder and father, Rob Kalin, who by the way, ceded his CEO position at Etsy in 2008). So it turns out that as we live and breathe, one of Etsy's current board members, Mr. Jim Breyer, also happens to sit on the Board of Directors for Walmart.

DUN-DUN-DUUUUUUUUUN!!!

Coincidence? Irrelevant? Neat bit of trivia?

You tell me.

That last tidbit may or may not be news to some, as Breyer has been involved with Etsy since at least 2008, but I thought it was worth throwing into the pot and stirring it around a few times. You know, because I like to rabble-rouse and shit. ;)

What are your thoughts on all of this? If you are currently a "seller" on Etsy, how does this make you feel? Are you surprised to know that there is an Etsy-Walmart connection? Do you think that Walmart's intentions with third world artisans are noble, or is this strategy little more than a PR move, with the potential to shift the discourse on what it means to be an artisan or entrepreneur?

Sound off below, if you dare!

{image above originally found on Technorati article titled "Walmart is Watching You"}