> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pushing Back Against Walmart - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/pushing-back-against-walmart/ - Published: 2012-11-23T18:45:34.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T16:18:45.000Z - Description: What’s the best way to combat the post-Thanksgiving hangover? Probably not waking up before dawn (or even after dinner) and lining up at a store to buy stuff. This Black Friday, let’s celebrate instead with a slew of anti-consumption posters and memes, many of which are supporting Walmart’s employee - Author: Kyle Chayka - Tags: Opinion, Design, propaganda, Walmart, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 06:51 (2012, 2013, part 1) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/pollydallas_smiley.jpg) Polly Dallas’s anti-Walmart poster (All posters courtesy Artists vs. Walmart) What’s the best way to combat the post-Thanksgiving hangover? Probably not waking up before dawn (or even after dinner) and lining up at a store to buy stuff. This Black Friday, let’s celebrate instead with a slew of anti-consumption posters, many of which are supporting Walmart’s employees in striking against the exploitative store. The behemoth store is known for busting unions, silencing whistle-blowers, and paying wages that keep its staff on food stamps. Of course, it’s also the home of a slew of Black Friday deals that are driving customers through the doors and whipping them into [uncontrollable](http://gawker.com/5962889?ref=hyperallergic.com) [frenzies](http://www.salon.com/2012/11/23/man%5Fpulls%5Fgun%5Fon%5Fblack%5Ffriday%5Fline%5Fcutter/?ref=hyperallergic.com). Is it really worth it? A fake press release noting that Alice Waters would close her Crystal Bridges museum in solidarity with worker protesters and open a labor-focused art exhibition popped up, but clearly it was[ too good to be true](http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2012/11/21/museum-press-release-pranksters-go-after-crystal-bridges-over-walmart-labor-practices/?ref=hyperallergic.com). The Atlantic puts the problems with Black Friday up to a combination of issues. There are the blatantly unjust practices of big-box stores in mistreating workers and doing anything they can to keep costs low, but another factor is our [habits as consumers](http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/whos-really-to-blame-for-the-wal-mart-strikes-the-american-consumer/265542/?ref=hyperallergic.com#.UK-oWpqegAg.twitter) to jump at the lowest prices and accept the bad practices of discount retailers. We’ve gathered a collection of poster graphics and image memes that should be enough to convince anyone to stay home this afternoon. First off, take a look at this video of eager buyers mobbing each other to get their hands on a few Xbox games — does not look like fun. Now, see outdoor apparel manufacturer Patagonia’s eloquent anti-consumption ads in the *New York Times* and online for their [Common Threads](http://www.patagonia.com/us/common-threads/?ref=hyperallergic.com) initiative, arguing against new purchases in favor of thinking more carefully about what we really need. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/patagonia-nyt_ad1.jpg) Patagonia’s New York Times anti-consumption ad (Image via Patagonia) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/dontbuy.png) (Image via Patagonia) Finally, check out this collection of graphics from [Artists vs. Walmart](http://artistsvswalmart.tumblr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), a Tumblr that showcases anti-box store images from a range of contributors. Pick one and share it on your social network of choice. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/standwithworkers-640.jpg) Poster by Julio Salgado ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/peopleprofit-640.jpg) Poster by Robert Trujillo ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/lexnonscripta.jpg) This poster by Lex Non Scripta is particularly graphically powerful ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/shameonwalmart-640.jpg) Poster by John Carr ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/wall-muerto-640.jpg) A Mexican muralist-inspired design by Dylan Miner ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/peoplematter-640.jpg) A poster by an anonymous artist. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/noclasswar-640.jpg) Poster by David Wennemar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/11/solidarityline-640.jpg) Poster by Fiona Avocado Only half of Black Friday left to stay home and not buy anything!