One popular retailer in Canada is selling merch that might raise eyebrows. Some of their shirts are riffing on the Black Lives Matter social movement, with t-shirts with the words "All Lives Matter." Walmart responded, saying the shirts weren't being sold by them but by "third party" sellers but they're still available online.
As the Black Lives Matter social movement grows in momentum across Canada, some stores are catching flack for trying to capitalize on it.
As of Tuesday, June 23, if you go to Walmart's online store and enter the words "lives matter" in their search bar, you'll find roughly 100 different items using the phrase.
We're talking everything from clothing, to license plates, to jewellery, to mousepads.
From silicone bracelets with the words "Black Lives Matter" inscribed selling for $10.30 apiece (down from $14.41) to "Blue Lives Matter" T-shirts going for $48.86 each.
"At Walmart Canada, we stand against any form of racism or discrimination. We promote listening, seeking to understand and embracing individual difference," wrote Walmart to Narcity.
"Today, our third-party marketplace has a number of items with variations on the phrase "lives matter". We will continue to review those items to ensure compliance with our terms and conditions."
Many shirts, sweaters, license plates, babywear, and more played on the slogan by using replacing the word "Black" with other groups.
For example, shirts and sweaters with the words "Irish Lives Matter," "Animal Lives Matter," even "Motorcycle Lives Matter" are online.
Other merchandise had "All Lives Matter" or "Blue Lives Matter."
The items are still currently available, and several have been selling pretty well — like the "#BlueLivesMatter" license plate, which almost sold out.
As the BLM movement takes a look at current inequalities and injustices, more brands are growing conscious and more responsible around representing minorities.
Others are being held more accountable for their actions, with the result of many learning and changing their ways.