Wal-Mart has a problem. Fortunately, it is one that can be solved.

Iowa State student Tanya Duval is one of many black students who cannot shop at Wal-Mart because the store does not carry hair care and makeup products made specifically for black customers.

Wal-Mart store manager Mark Pistorius said he would like to carry the products Duval wants, but it is not up to him to make that decision. It is up to the store’s corporate officials.

Wal-Mart has a policy stating that the products it sells are based on population numbers in and around Ames. This includes Nevada, Huxley and parts of Hamilton County.

For Wal-Mart to sell products geared specifically toward black customers, it must have a black population base of at least five percent. The Ames area has a black population of only three percent.

Although Wal-Mart’s policy is a fair one, corporate officials should seriously consider making an exception.

A big chunk of Story County’s black population comes from the university community.

Although three percent may not be much, it is still an important segment of the population.

Wal-Mart’s corporate offices should realize that the fact that Ames has a black population of less than five percent does not mean there are no black customers here to serve. They should not be oblivious to the diverse population living in Ames.

Wal-Mart may only be doing what it thinks is in the best interest of its customers. However, its policy exception could serve as a trend-setter for other stores in Ames.

Ames may not be the best place for African-Americans to shop, but it could improve itself in more ways than its stock value by starting to bring in more products geared toward blacks into the area stores.