Final answer:
The Working Families for Walmart blog was an astroturfing campaign rather than a genuine grassroots effort and is part of a broader set of criticisms of Walmart's labor practices and impacts on the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The blog called Working Families for Walmart appeared as a grassroots effort to support the company; however, it was actually a form of what is known as astroturfing. This term refers to campaigns that are designed to mimic grassroots movements but are, in fact, sponsored and organized by corporations or political entities. The intention behind such campaigns is often to sway public opinion by disguising the true source of the message, making it appear as if it originates from a broad, genuine community support base.
Walmart has faced multiple criticisms and legal issues regarding its labor practices. For instance, the National Labor Relations Board found Walmart guilty of illegally penalizing and firing workers who took part in labor protests and strikes in 2013. Moreover, the company faced the consequences of discriminatory practices when it paid $11.7 million in back wages and compensatory damages to women in Kentucky who were denied jobs on the basis of their sex.
These incidents reflect broader concerns about what has been termed the Wal-Martization of the economy, where large retail chain stores such as Walmart pay poor wages and provide few benefits, often at the expense of local economies and workers' rights.