I think it’s pretty obvious by now that I believe in the power of the masses of humanity, and that I am seeking to apply this conceptual framework to my day to day acts. Now some of these applications are still humble, and others are off the track, but I do think that were everyone to start trying out together, reflection on their results and consulting to learn from each other – well, you know what I think!

So here is a little something I feel strongly about, and I thought hey, why not.

There is, quite unfortunately, a lot of discrimination that still goes around, even in ‘civilized’ countries likes ours’. Walmart had such an incident, the full story of which you can check out here.

In short:

Employees at the Niles, MI Wal-Mart store accused Paolucci of shoplifting some Bic lighters. Although he produced the receipt, they refused to back down, insisting that the two men go to a “detention room”. The employees, using vulgarities and hostility, frightened their special needs kids. (South Bend Tribune)

Paolucci said that while he and Hitchcock were attempting to calm down the boys, the employees ordered them to enter a “detention room” for questioning. Fearful of what might happen behind closed doors, he and Hitchcock refused to enter and asked to speak to a manager.

“Some guy came up and said, ‘I’m the manager,’ then turned around and left,” Hitchcock said.

Paolucci said he and Hitchcock then asked store personnel to call police. Within minutes, deputies from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s Niles Township Patrol arrived, pleasing Paolucci who said he thought a few questions and a review of the store’s videotapes and computer records would quickly resolve the matter.

He said he was shocked when he was immediately handcuffed, without a question being asked, and placed in the back seat of a squad car. Hitchcock wasn’t handcuffed but also was placed in the back seat of a second squad car.

At this point in time, money tends to speak. As consumers, we do hold power, and yet we don’t use it nearly enough. So my suggestion is this: when such blatant incidents happen, why not send a little something like this to the corporations HQ?

Dear Sir; I am extremely distraught at the followinf story regarding one of your stores: http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/11/07/16449. As a Walmart Customer, I would like to know what Walmart is doing to ensure such terrible treatment never happens again, as well as how the family will be fairly compensated for the trauma they went through. Thank you for your time, YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY/STATE

If enough emails are received, they are going to start worrying about their bottom line, and that might make them do something about it – like a no-discrimination policy. It might not be the best case scenario (that would be a loving acceptance of everyone), but it could be a first step.

And then we will be able to consult about how to ignite the spark of love for all our fellow humankind.