The
video above was researched, filmed, and edited by the students and
faculty at Press Pass TV, where young people from the Boston area do
the sort of badass reporting than the suckers on our local television
stations won't do. The clip features many of the same subjects who
the Phoenix spoke with
for our Walmart story, and in some cases shows those people
elaborating on their positions.
There's
been a lot of chatter since the Phoenix printed “In the
Shadow of Walmart” on the cover of our September 1 issue. In
addition to letters, calls, and emails to the Phoenix offices,
the story also spread rapidly thanks to a torrent of micro-blogging,
and to various sites and pages where the issue continues to be
debated.
Generally
speaking, readers have commended us for providing a comprehensive
overview of Walmart's Boston business dealings (even the Walmart
representative himself had nothing awful to say, let alone accuse us
of being communists – he just wished we noted these
counter-studies). There have also been a number of liberals who were
dismayed by our not teeing off on the company (and for citing studies
with findings that are favorable to Walmart) – as well as
conservatives who are outraged at our attempt to interfere with god's
capitalism.
Finally,
the Phoenix received a letter from Urban League of Eastern
Massachusetts (ULEM) president Darnell Williams, who plays a
significant role in the story. Williams does not believe that his
perspective was fairly represented, and has presented his case in the
correspondence below (which will be printed, in part, in an upcoming
Phoenix).
As the
reporter who covered this story, and who interviewed several dozen
subjects on the matter, I believe that my article speaks for itself.
As for two specific items mentioned by Williams:
-I
did not “[state] that [ULEM] received $50,000 from [Walmart] as a
corporate sponsor” for their recent conference. I specifically
wrote: “Walmart donated $50,000 to the ULEM this year, and
co-sponsored its recent national convention in Boston...”
-Williams
claims that Walmart “did not support ULEM financially” for their
national convention. Note: the word “financially.” Not like it
matters though, since that's not what I wrote.
Otherwise
– and I say this in all honesty – Darnell's letter raises many
excellent points on the topic of employment in Roxbury. As this
subject continues to be a major issue in that area and elsewhere, I
have no doubt that communities will benefit from having as many
points of view on the table as possible. That's why we published the
piece in the first place.
September 6, 2011
Dear Editor,
As President/CEO of the
Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM), I would like to respond
to the article that appeared in the September 2nd edition of The
Phoenix called In The Shadow of Walmart.
As a non-profit
organization that has been serving the public since 1917, it is
important to state the truth and continue to be transparent with all
of our stakeholders and the community at large. For decades, we have
been a leader in paving the way for equality in employment, housing,
and health care for unemployed and underemployed adult minorities
living in Boston. Our clients are un- and under-employed adults,
ages 18 to 85 and overwhelmingly people of color, who do not pay any
fees and benefit fully from our services. What is even more
inspiring is that our clients achieved a job placement rate of over
80% last year, with an average pay of $14.00 per hour which in turn
stimulated Boston’s economy and benefitted the broader community.
Many agencies including
governmental, corporate, and non-profit believe in our mission and
know that we work in an ethical and credible manner. Hence, they
have partnered with us to demonstrate their passion for our mission
and our ceaseless desire to build a better neighborhood. Walmart is
one of nearly 70 corporations that have interfaced with us this past
fiscal year. It’s important to note that Walmart did not support
ULEM financially for the National Urban League conference. Chris
Faraone misspoke when he stated that we received $50,000 from them as
a corporate sponsor. The National Urban League organization based in
New York City received a sponsorship from Walmart which is posted on
their website, www.nul.org, but we as an affiliate did not receive
any of those monies. Our entire list of sponsors can be found on our
website at //www.ulem.org/conference/partners.html.
For Chris to say that
“Walmart opponents have called bullshit on Williams and his
job-creation sound bites”, could not be more farther from the
truth. For the record, ULEM’s most recent financial support from
Walmart, received in June of 2010, was a $75,000 grant that funds an
ongoing “green” community workforce training and information
project that provides job training in ULEM’s Customer Service &
Sales program. The project also targets 2,250 households within
subsidized Boston housing residents, and 100 low to moderate income
families households residing in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan to
receive information on no-cost or cost-effective approaches for home
improvements through the dissemination of energy efficiency ‘kits’
and a Resource Guide.
At ULEM, our advocacy for
job growth and economic development remains front and center to our
work. Our job is to ask the tough questions and hold people and their
organizations accountable to their track record and economic impact.
Secondarily, we have advocated that the high rates of
under-employment and unemployment in the Black community warrant a
discussion about permanent job growth and potential construction jobs
for a community that desperately needs it. Lastly, I believe that the
people who do not have a job at least should be asked what they want!
It seems that everyone with a job or a career has been quick to say
NIMBY. I say let's talk and find out what is on the table, and then
determine the next best steps for the community going forward.
I hope this helps give you a sense of
our position and purpose.
Sincerely,
Darnell L. Williams
President/CEO of the Urban League
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