TULSA, OK – In the heart of Tulsa, amidst the bustling streets of the Midtown district, stands a beacon of local entrepreneurship: Midtown Hardware.
Owned by Boston transplant David "DJ" Day, this 45-year-old establishment has weathered economic storms and technological shifts. Yet, today, it faces a challenge that's neither market-driven nor a product of changing consumer habits. DJ finds himself at the center of a controversy that raises a fundamental question: Should small business owners suffer because of their political beliefs?
DJ, a self-proclaimed "citizen journalist," attended Ryan Walters' "Defending Religious Liberty" press conference on July 21, 2023. His attendance meant as an exercise of personal belief, spiraled into a social media backlash allegedly led by the Tulsa Teachers Classroom Association. Midtown Hardware's sales halved within months, a startling impact for a store that employs neighbors, family, and friends – the fabric of the Tulsa community.
The criticism DJ faced was direct and severe. Social media posts calling for a boycott of his store, labeling him a supporter of John Birch and Ryan Walters, circulated widely. One post read, "After 30 years of shopping here, I encourage others to shop elsewhere." Such statements reflect a broader debate on cancel culture and its repercussions on small businesses and free speech.
DJ's response to the backlash is a blend of defiance and adaptation. He refuses to censor himself, standing firm on his right to express his opinions. Yet, the economic reality of his situation is stark. Midtown Hardware, a staunch supporter of local products and the 'local first' movement, has had to diversify. New ventures like a U-Haul dealership, Blue Rhino propane, and a partnership with Anderson Windows keep the store afloat. DJ admits to dipping into his savings to sustain the business, a testament to his commitment to his store and community.
The impact of the controversy is more than economic. It's a narrative about how political polarization can extend into our neighborhoods, affecting the livelihoods of those we know as friends and neighbors. DJ's story is not just about a business owner fighting to keep his doors open; it's about the struggle to maintain a space for diverse opinions in a climate increasingly intolerant to dissent.
As Tulsa grapples with these issues, the story of Midtown Hardware stands as a reminder of the human cost of cancel culture. DJ states, "I love the Great State of Oklahoma, my neighbors, and my customers. I won't let cancel culture chase me off." His resilience is a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of community and the right to personal expression.
As DJ's story unfolds, one thing remains clear: the survival of small businesses like Midtown Hardware is crucial for economic reasons and preserving the diverse tapestry of thoughts and ideas that define Tulsa.
(27) comments
Evidently my post was erased. Perhaps someone can explain that
I meant Midtowner. Thanks. You are not the initial poster but the last.
I do not usually comment on these things. I was brought to this article by people encouraging me to drive to Tulsa to buy my goods from this man. I will do so and encourage others to do the same. I appreciate Walters protecting the precious children in our state from the prevailing ignorance and i appreciate this man for standing up for him. RepublicanTPSMomof3 is part of the cancer we are trying to eradicate from the Republican Party. It is a shame she does not care about her children. Salty Oklahoman and the initial poster, i appreciate your comments. Nothing you say can change the minds of deceived people but you may save prevent someone on the fence from falling in the trap. To the store owner (sorry i cannot see the article to get your name); thank you for doing the right thing regardless of the consequences. We need more like you. We owe our Constitution to folks like you. I created an account just to tell you that.
I read somewhere "differing opinions & open debate are the foundation of our democracy. But cancel culture can summarily execute opposing viewpoints without any due process or context." Context: there's a presser w/many voices & disagreements. In the aftermath, TPS & TTCA affiliates could not let it go -- biz owner's opinion offended someone's sensibilities. And so much so the herd conspired, as in, took time out of their days to think up ways to cancel (aka shut down) a small biz in Midtown.
Here's the teaching moment reps & affiliates of TPS want the public to know: "We support cancel culture actions that lead to fellow Tulsans losing their jobs, by extension, the means to eat and keep a roof over their head."
The above lesson gets an "F." But there's an opportunity to raise the grade. Apologize for the actions that led to financial losses for the hardware store (its owner, employees, and neighbors who shop there).
No buts, no excuses, just make it right.
The article stated that DJ considered himself a citizen journalist & attended Watters’ press conference. 1) Is there more info you have to oppose him for or is that all it takes these days? 2) One commenter added that they heard he was in DC on Jan. 6 so same question as asked in 1). This sounds like a bunch of hearsay and conjecture to ban a person’s business over. It also shows the poisonous trend to consider a single exception about a person while ignoring every other aspect such as what it must take in running a small family business for 45 years. I live near this business but only been there a few times & it’s obviously a modest, hardworking operation that offers many services you only saw at the more rural, small town stores of days gone by. None of the critics here have offered any evidence to substantiate their reasons for doing so, nor encouraging others to do the same from my reading of them. If I missed something, do inform me. But if this is it, please think more about your judgement, and how it would feel if you or your loved one’s were on the end of such a ruthless campaign.
Well now I know where to donmy shopping. Can't wait for the next bolt or nail I need to buy. I'll go directly to Midtown Hardware and gladly pay more than big corporate. 👍🏻
When I was a middle school administrator, I occasionally counseled an entitled student with these words...."You live in a free country where you enjoy the right to choose your actions. But choose wisely because you do not get to choose how others react. There are both rewards and consequences to our choices." A 7th grader disn't always process this guidance well. I would think a navy business owner would.
Fat fingers equal misspellings. Not didn't, but didn't AND not navy, but savy was intended.
Your actions have consequences. Pretty simple. Ryan Walters and Kevin Stitt are not a good look for Oklahoma, nor the republican party. I find it rather eye-opening to learn who their supporters are...
I had no idea there was a boycott. As a mother of three children attending a TPS High School, I have gotten more involved in what Ryan Walters has been doing. He makes me ashamed to be a Republican. I didn’t know this owner was supporting him until I read this article. I will no longer support Midtown Hardware any longer. Long time shopper and supporter of local business, however, Ryan Walters is not a Republican I can get behind. I’m shocked that my Tulsa neighbor would stand behind him. I won’t give my money to his business. That’s not cancel culture, that’s called the free market. Apparently Republicans have forgotten how that works.
I am a liberal, and do not support me. Walter policy. On the same context I cannot punish someone because of their beliefs. I understand why some may do so. But to me, for me it is an unhealthy contradiction. It seems we are all going mad. Someone must start practicing tolerance and sanity
This isn’t news. This is a last ditch attempt to save a business that’s dying because words have consequences. The author of the article, if it’s the same guy, was in DC on January 6th, was a Norman City Councilman who was supported by a right wing PAC called Unite Norman that has been supporting far-right politicians to replace the mayor and others on the City Council that don’t align with their extremist ideology. I’ve never heard of this ‘news’ site, but this article reads like poorly written republican propaganda.
It is very obvious that those of you who want to come against others who will stand for truth righteousness and Justice and freedom of speech in this world you are not against a person but against God himself and you are the ones that will be canceled out if you don't repent and learn to love one another and love the truth because God is revealing all evil and corruption in the government the judicial system and all over everywhere where people are opposed to Justice and Truth and against people's rights that have been god-given by God himself through righteous holy men that established the Constitution of the United States to keep people free from others who would want to condemn them be careful God is not mocked!
Jesus was a champion of the same class of people the Christian Right has turned their backs on. If he came back today and tried to get into this country, you would turn your back on him and deport him or ship him off to New York to “own the libruls” (where he would be fed and housed, by the way). I think you may need to talk to someone in a private setting. Also, either your keyboard is broken, or that was the longest sentence ever.
Free market at work. I bet this guy has jumped on and supported canceling of many things Walters and the between man and woman 3some groups. As they say vote with your wallets. And thank you DJ for making it easy to know who to shop with. I'll ship at target. Where i am now.
Acting like a bigot is bad for business. We have a right to ignore people clinging to the age of idiocy and shop at places with more honorable and morally superior people.
The only bigotry I see is from y'all. Believe how we believe or we'll cancel you! Pathetic.
What you and people on the right are now crying ‘canceled’ we used to call plain old consequences.
So....when y'all want to shove dei down our necks and we cancel your business.... it'll be consequences? Good to know, this is a two-edged sword because we can also cancel your businesses under the same thought processes you're using.
For some reason I can’t reply to your other comment so I’m doing it here.
“So....when y'all want to shove dei down our necks and we cancel your business.... it'll be consequences? Good to know, this is a two-edged sword because we can also cancel your businesses under the same thought processes you're using.”
Yes! You’re getting it! Friedman would be proud. How is this a new idea for you?
Also, I wish someone would explain how you can be against “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” and then balk when someone calls you a racist or bigot. To give you the benefit of the doubt, maybe you don’t actually know what it means and are just assuming it’s bad because Fox News told you so. Here is the definition: “Diversity, equity, and inclusion refers to organizational frameworks which seek to promote "the fair treatment and full participation of all people", particularly groups "who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination" on the basis of identity or disability.”
Please explain why you’re against the fair treatment and full participation in our society of all people. I’ll wait.
Wow how sad for the free market of capitalism. A grown man whining he is being oppressed and "cancel culture", when no one is calling for him to close down shop. He isn't being canceled. He made a decision, stuck to his guns, and is paying the price.
Peoples personal expression extends to their wallet and it's very myopic and self aggrandizing to think people are doing this personally to spite DJ, who may otherwise be a good and decent human being.
Ryan Walters, however, is the worst thing to happen to Oklahoma education, and supporting him is asinine.
This is a grift. He is hoping this will get the people who fall for and donate to these things will play him with business and "donations"
No, y'all are just trying to ruin him. At least now I know where I'll shop from now on. And I'll encourage others to shop there too.
At least your username checks out.
And? Like I care?you people don't scare me one little bit
No kidding who cares? I just need a socket set.
Can’t reply to a reply, so here you go:
You: “And? Like I care?you people don't scare me one little bit”
Your comments sure sound like you care. No one is trying to scare you, bud. I’m not sure where you got that, but when you’re the one to bring it up it sure makes you sound scared. There’s nothing to be scared of in my comments, though except maybe the truth. Idk. Good luck with that.
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