Posted on 11/04/2005 3:57:52 AM PST by Diago
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
American Girl boycotted Posted: November 2, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
After repeated unheeded warnings, a pro-life group launched a boycott yesterday against the popular doll maker American Girl for its association with a group that promotes abortion rights and lesbianism. "American Girl has refused to sever ties with pro-abortion Girls Incorporated," said Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, "This leaves us no choice but to call for a boycott of American Girl dolls and accessories for the duration of the 2005 Christmas shopping season."
In August, as WorldNetDaily reported, American Girl launched the "I Can" campaign with Girls Inc., urging girls to take a pledge and purchase a special bracelet. Scheidler said young girls are being "lured into contact with their radical feminist ideology" through the bracelet offer. "We are asking people who care about little girls and about the value of human life to refrain from purchasing products and visiting American Girl Place during the entire Christmas shopping season," she said. "As consumers, we have both the freedom and the responsibility to spending our gift dollars in a manner consistent with our values," Scheidler continued. "There are excellent alternatives to American Girl dolls. We expect that many families will choose to reject American Girl this Christmas." The American Family Association also has initiated a campaign to warn parents. After launching its protest last month, Scheidler's group claimed American Girl had begun to de-emphasize its partnership with Girls Inc. Officially, however, American Girl maintained it had no plans to discontinue its affiliation, and Scheidler said if there was no announcement to sever the relationship by the end of October, her group would call for a national boycott and organize demonstrations at the American Girl Place in Chicago and New York City.
On its website, Girls Inc. says it supports a girl's right to abort an unwanted baby and promotion of contraceptives for girls. The group also offers resources encouraging lesbian and bisexual lifestyles. One publication, "Free your mind: The book for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and their allies," states, "The emergence of a lesbian identity is an ongoing process, rather than an event."
With every purchase of the "I Can" band, 70 cents is given to Girls Inc. in addition to American Girl's contribution of $50,000.
Scheidler called the endorsement of abortion, lesbianism and contraception for young girls a betrayal of the trust American families have place in American Girl."
"It is insidious for American Girl to manipulate girls into supporting Girls, Inc. through the 'I Can' bracelet and its promise," said Scheidler. "Most of the girls buying the bracelets have no idea what Girls, Inc. stands for."
American Girl says its contributions are earmarked for specific academic and athletic programs, but Scheidler calls that "deceptive," because it "simply frees up revenue for their reprehensible programs, such as promoting abortion." She says, however, the "earmarking ploy does imply there are programs that American Girl is not comfortable with."
Scheidler has encouraged parents, grandparents and other family members to write and call American Girl President Ellen L. Brothers to protest the company's support for Girls Inc.
Previous stories:
American Girl feels heat of protest
American Girl teams with pro-abortion, pro-lesbian group
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Because of the publicity this is getting it is very important that folks call and complain. This is a big, big test of the strength of the pro-life movement:
Call 1-800-845-0005 to complain.
no - all it takes is one perverse act to make you a pervert
One sin, and youre a sinner
I had no idea of this.
My parents gave me an American Girl doll back in the late 80s. I was in elementary school and enjoyed reading the books very much. I got the World War II -era doll since I was something of a history buff even then! That was when they had only 3 dolls and when the founder of the company was still in charge. The doll and the clothing and accessories are very well-crafted and I have all of it in storage to give to any daughters I might have.
I've never heard anything good about Girls, Inc. - and this is just another reason not to like them. At least when I was reading the American Girl books there was a healthy dose of family values and patriotism in them. I have no clue what they're like today.
E-mailed, just explained we spend over $400.00 every Christmas. This year will be zero.
Have you actually gone to the Girls Inc site and read the information it has there?
First -- yes I am pro-Life, but I am NOT for taking away rights as they exist in this country. The statement on the Girls Inc site didn't lead me to believe that they were pro-abortion, but rather supporting the law as it stands now. There is a difference.
Second -- I just flat don't understand something. The vast majority of people I know at one point or another have questioned their sexuality. For women it tends to be something along the lines of thinking another woman has an attractive figure or pretty hair or eyes. For a lot of women (well teens) the next thought is often, "OMG am I a lesbian?!?!" The books on the Girls Inc site are resources. They aren't requiring the girls to read them, and you can go to amazon.com and see the same books.
I'm beginning to wonder about some of the groups out there -- is everyone so afraid of information that they would rather keep their children ignorant?
Just an fyi, yes I am a conservative. Yes, I homeschool. No I am not a Christian, I am Jewish. I don't support abortion itself, but I don't believe that it should be a legislated issue -- by all means go to the clinics and counsel the girls not to have them -- I'll be beside you. But don't take any more rights away. And get the gov't out of my doctors office, please?
My niece is 25 and she is a lesbian. I don't agree with her lifestyle, but she is still my niece and I still love her. I also know from watching her grow up that there was nothing that any of us could have done to make her be anything but what and who she is. My twins ask me questions about my niece's choices -- I LIKE having resource lists I can go to, to be able to explain to them her choices. They aren't my choices, but you know what?
THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY! A FREE Republic.
*steps off her soapbox*
Oh, so have your boycott, I'm still buying two dolls and then some from American Girl this Christmas.
E-mail and let them know.
This really stinks, because my daughter has asked for a "Felicity" doll for Christmas and she really sweats this American Girl stuff. She about went crazy when she got the last catalog.
Okay I know, bad form replying to myself, but I wanted to include the text of an email that I sent to my homeschool support group (yes it's a religious group -- Christian based -- I am the only Jewish member). Amazingly after sending this email I received many, many supporting emails privately. Most of the women said that they were afraid to speak up. That, my friends, is horribly sad.
Anyhow . . . email text:
*begin cut*
Okay so maybe I'm a freak . . . I went through all the links that were sent to the list . . . the one about supporting choice references the law as it currently exists. While I may personally disagree with abortion, as of right now in the US it's still a legal right. Worst case, if you disagree with it as a right stay away from the org. If you want to change that -- why not use it as a bouncing off point for education? Fundamentally though, it currently exists as a 'right' whether most of us here like it or not. As a woman in the US, I don't like the idea of a 'right' being taken away from me, whether I approve of anyone else doing it or not.
The other stuff -- well, it's resources. I'm not one to hide from anything. I would rather learn about it, and be able to explain things to my children with a neutral opinion, and give them my opinion as well. I am not the only person in the world and while I teach them my beliefs, I don't want them to dislike/hate people for theirs.
I have a niece who is a lesbian. I may not agree with her lifestyle, but I will not turn her or her friends away. She is still my blood, and my children's cousin.
I think what I'm trying to say -- resources don't equal encouragement. I didn't see anything on their encouraging girls to become a lesbian -- but rather to educate and inform. Many many women I know (Christian and Jewish) questioned their sexual identity growing up -- it's a normal part of being human for many people. I guess I just don't see a problem with providing resources and information.
There is way too much hate in the world right now. Education leads understanding, while ignorance breeds fear.
*end cut from email*
Here are the links I referred to in the message:
American Girl website offering "I Can" band to benefit Girls Inc.
http://store.americangirl.com/shop/ican.php
Girls Inc. homepage
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic
Choice issue
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=4.3.4
Contraception
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=4.3.4
Sexual Identity
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/content/lesbianbisexualgirls.pdf
Girls and Sexual Health
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/content/GirlsandSexualHealth.pdfI
Well put and I agree with you 100%.
"American woman....
Stay away from me
American woman...
Mama let me be...."
With mommies that 'think' like you, the current state of our 'culture' is not at all surprising. It is far easier to 'go along to get along' than see the effect of your tolerance. Look at what your openminded attitude when translated to political action (ala Israel and opening up the 'territoties') has done to the state of security in Israel. But apparently, it is all just a matter of opinion and one 'truth' is as good as another.
You see Lesbianism to Christians is what Auschwitz is to Jews. And just like the Jewish people, the Christian people have the same rights to insist that a company that might influence young minds should stay away from promoting something that negatively influences those same young minds. And when they don't, the consumer has every right in the world to Boycott them.
I'm no soccer mom if that's what you're saying. And mommies who think like me? I *think.*
And this issue has nothing to do with Israel. I think on that issue -- that we should let Israel unleash. We're involved in a war that has been going on how many umpteen years?
But that has nothing to do with this situation. It's not about tolerance, but more about remembering that this is in fact a free country. Less government would be far better than the crap we're in right now.
Educated people have every reason to object to the deceptive and ideologically driven decision of American Girl to support an organization that distributes pro-homosexual and pro-abortion propaganda. I went to Harvard and have a Ph.D but that doesn't mean that I can't see the problem with an organization that claims to support the well-being of girls but goes ahead supporting the abortion industry, which prevents girls from ever being born. As far as promoting lesbianism, only naivete and yes, ignorance could fail to distinguish between propaganda and educational "resources." On what evidence do you base your assertion that the "resources" offered by Girls, Inc. are strictly educational in intent? They offer no opposing points of view, such as they would have to do in order to offer girls the opportunity to make an informed choice. Girls, Inc. does not give girls the resource of knowing that throughout history, homosexuality has been viewed by the Jewish and Christian traditions as an aberrant mode of behavior. Your claims about abortion are similiarly ill-considered. Abortion is already "legislated" -- on the basis of an unconstitutional decision! You intimate that because of the current laws respecting abortion, we should refrain from calling attention to its wrongness. Slaveholders who legally exercised their right to hold slaves could have made the same argument.
Your arguments reflect your good intentions and moral concern, but they need to be more carefully considered.
Okay wait wait wait. . .
That is not logical. I said nothing about Girls Inc doing good work or not. They are simply an organization. American Girl is a private company. I said have your boycott, I disagree with it. And I know a lot of other conservatives do too.
Furthermore I am now sitting here shaking -- to compare gays and lesbians to Auschwitz -- OMG -- that is disgusting. That is NOT a valid comparison, and I'm wondering if the only reason now that it was brought up was because I mentioned that I'm Jewish.
That is hateful and disgusting. The Jews did not choose to be gassed, nor did they make a lifestyle choice to be Jewish. Jewish mother, you are a Jew.
I never ever denied your right to boycott. Have fun. But please know there are other conservatives out there who will counter that boycott.
LOL that was a cut to a post to my homeschool group. If you had read the posts that were there, you would understand the tone in my post. Fear -- yes. To some of the women in the group, if one of their children "came out" it would be absolutely horrifying to them. So yes, I understand your "spare me" because I thought that when I typed it. But at the same time that was addressed to a group of women who homeschool and who also tend to have a very very narrow view of the world (ie their children, their house and their church and not much outside of those three things). Not that I am knocking that lifestyle either! So please don't think that. My whole point was to get them to read for themselves and think instead of taking the party line and going with it.
What factor do you determine if something is propoganda or an educational resource? By that logic, wouldn't or coudln't everything be identified as propaganda? On what evidence do you base that the resources offered are not informational in intent? I asked, and read synopsis of the books.
And actually, go check into Orthodox Judaism. In my studies, lesbianism hasn't ever been specifically addressed. The texts speak of men and homosexuality, not women.
I'm still trying to figure out how on earth I have now been compared to slaveholders and nazis. *boggles* All because I think a private company can support a non-profit organization that seeks to educate girls. If you would go read the website -- the Girls Inc site -- so much of what they do focuses on the inner-city. An area that is sorely underserved. Is your Church there? Do you volunteer at a soup kitchen? Those aren't attacking questions because I'm not there either -- but I can't fault an organization for trying to figure out something to do with the kids that are seriously falling through the cracks. Please, go read the Girls Inc website? I've not sent them any money, nor am I a member, but I just can't see fault with what they do.
I'm a full time college student, homeschooling mom of twins, with the intent to complete my PhD so that I can go into the workforce, doing probono work (exclusively) in my field.
You are making sense. That's a very dangerous thing to do on threads like this. ;)
LOL thank you!
I think what American Girls is doing is reprehensible and totally worthy of boycott, but bringing the Holocaust into the discussion verges on trolling and cheapens the whole discussion.
I was making a point that the poster could understand. The point being that we all view certain things as unexceptable for our children to consider as fact. And any company that supports this line of thinking either through monetary or moral support, deserves to be boycotted by the people affected. And in some cases just completely shut down.
Killing another human being is NOT a right, and I don't want my SEVEN YEAR OLD to go to a site I think is safe, and find that kind of crap.
(No, I don't let my kids surf the web.)
American Girl must be nuts. Why not support breast cancer research, for heaven's sake?
Making a point the poster could understand? So, question. Because I'm Jewish, the Holocaust had to be brought up? I'm seriously confused. Or concerned.
I'm an American. Raised in the South. Being Jewish is a part of who I am. It doesn't define me though, or my education. I went to public and private schools (a Christian private school as a matter of fact) so to assume that the Holocaust is something I could understand . . well yeah, I can. But damn. I understand a lot of other things too.
Lesbianism is to Christianity is what Auschwitz is to Jews?!?
Wow.
I think I get your logic, though.
Lesbians = BAD
Nazis = BAD
Therefore, Lesbians = Nazis
Can we call that the disassociative property of mathematics?
Another bothersome thing about American Girl dolls, and Barbie, too, of course, is that they promote just a few examples of what they evidently view as girlhood perfection. Barbie, in particular, drives me nuts. Everyday, all around us we see a kaleidoscope of adorable, beautiful, wonderful kids. I'd rather make a doll for my granddaughter...maybe out of an old plaid skirt, and I'd buy her some good history books.
But since I do not know you, nor how you think other then what you post, I have to use the knowledge at hand. Just as the Holocaust is considered a blight on humanity by you and others(myself included), so is Abortion and Lesbianism to some people(myself included).
If you walk away from this thread now knowing the disgust you feel for the Holocaust is what some people also feel for Abortion and or Lesbianism, then I have accomplished what I set out to do, if not, well there really isn't much more I can say.
You understood my meaning quite well. Reading my other posts might also clear it up for you. If not, well there really isn't a whole heck of a lot I can do.
For your information, I am Jewish and I am trained in rabbinic literature. Orthodox Judaism forbids homosexual acts without denigrating homosexual persons. If you are going to get your doctorate, may I respectfully suggest that you need to learn how to read more carefully. I did not compare you to a slaveholder, I copared your non-use of logic to such logic as could be used to justify slaveholding during the time when it was a legal right. If Girls, Inc. was offering an educational resource in its materials, it would include opposing points of view and explain the moral argument at stake. That is the dividing line between propaganda and educational resources.
This thread...and this "issue", is for those Freepers that get all up in arms over their own shadow. I'm not really sure where they buy anything from, since they boycott any company that thinks differently than they do.
Oh dear -- "copared" should be read as "compared"
I have always understood that. But that was not my point.
I am not for having any more rights that have been granted taken away in this country. The Gov't has been running rampant for way too long and there are way too many things being legislated that should not be. That is where you were missing *my* point. Yes, I understand that some rights that have been granted were later decided to be unethical or morally reprehensible (ie slavery).
I personally don't like abortion, and don't agree with it. But do I want the right to have one taken away? No. If I were raped, would I want access to emergency contraception? If it were your wife, your daughter? Hypothetically, I'm not asking for an answer.
Morality should not be legislated. Neither should religion. Nor should any decision that is medical. Medical situations are personal, intimate, and usually emotionally draining. The doctors, we're lucky we still have anyone willing to practice medicine in this country. Between law and lawyers . . . that's why I am not getting an MD. This is also why their is a field of Biomedical Ethics. Let the medical "industry" manage itself. Politicians who didn't go to medical school, well, *sighs* should they be making broad medical decisions?
I've been a FReeper for going on six years. You could find out more about me. *laughs* And I could do the same about you. I think I will.
Thank you.
"... get the government out of my Doctor's office, please?"
I assume your Doctor has to meet licensure standards in your state; if he or she violates the law and loses the license, then what?
Your Doctor has to meet government rules and regulations about narcotics and other addictive drugs, correct?
If you and your Doctor decide to administer lethal drugs to your husband so you and the Doctor can get the insurance money and run off to Tahiti, should the government be involved? How is this different if a woman and her Doctor kill her unwanted baby so she can skip off to new adventures?
Not so. I have never done one of these boycotts before. I think with many of them the connection is tenuous and the impact is minimal. However, when I saw how directly AG was promoting Girls Inc. and how overtly and explicitly Girls Inc. was advocating abortion, homosexuality, and premarital sex, in a political way, I decided this was the right way to go. Here the connection is strong and I think the impact will be significant.
"Gov't out of my doctor's office?"
Let me ask you a personal question because I believe it may be part and parcel of your belief system at play here.....
Are you married?
My bet is 'no.'
14 years doll.
Married at 19 . . still married, quite happily to the same man.
So that makes "who she is" perfectly fine, then? I'm sure you'd think the same way if your daughters turned out like your niece...
And get the gov't out of my doctors office, please?
You're a conservative? That is such a bedrock liberal, pro-abortion line. I think you need to reevaluate your ideological beliefs.
Oh, btw. Thanks for bumping this thread so many times. If you hadn't, I may not have seen it.
How am I leading anyone into a life of sin and misery?
I teach my own children that legally abortion is a right. And right now, it is. Do I like it, no? But you know what -- my children can THINK! One of them said to me, "momma that's killing a baby." Sometimes kids can figure things out on their own when you present the information to them.
I trust my children. We have raised them to think and be aware of the world around them. They are wonderful, sweet amazing little girls who rescue animals, friends, each other. They have been around newborns all their lives due to my volunteer work.
Read what I said -- I personally dislike abortion -- but what about going to the clinics and counseling? Don't take away the right, but help the girls in the situations. I have donated more money and resources to crisis pregnancy centers here over the years than I can count. But I don't think that legislation is the way to go.
I'm beginning to think that an opinion that differs, only gets the first few sentences of their post read. lol
If my daughters turned out like my niece I would still love them. And yes I am a conservative. Just not a Fundamentalist Christian.
How is not wanting the Gov't in my medical decisions liberal? I don't want socialized medicine. That's where we're heading if we go that route. Can't you see that?
How is thinking that MURDER is a "medical decision" a conservative view?
Some of us feel that it's just not appropriate for a toy company to involve itself in these controversial issues when their target customers are 7-10 year old girls. That's certainly the way that I see it.
Over the years, I have purchased 5 of these dolls, many outfits and accessories plus books and I was under the impression that this line of dolls represented what American girls have in common with each other, today and in past times.
There's way too much accomodation of evil in the world right now. You must have a very gracious homeschool group. I would have a very hard time letting my kids associate with yours what with your "normal" kids "questioning their sexual identity" etc... For me, it's not about "agree with your lifestyle" or finding acceptance for mine. There are plenty of people in the world for us to associate without each other having to countenance abominations we euphemistically call "rights" which either of us might hold.
So, this is my last post for now on this thread. I need to get my own children's school day started and do my own stats homework.
What I do want to say though before I go . .
Yes, I'm a conservative. Never voted anything but Republican in my life.
Yes, I'm a married woman. 14 years. Same man. Two children. Happy life.
Yes, I'm anti-socialized medicine. That is in fact what I was saying about keeping the gov't out of my doctor's office.
Yes, I'm pro-life. But how to explain -- Women will continue to get abortions. They did pre- Roe v. Wade and will do so after the fact. The answer isn't in the legislation, it's in EDUCATION. And counseling. And things along those lines. I admire the Crisis Pregnancy Centers -- I may not always agree with their methods but they are doing something and saving lives. But spending all this energy worrying about the law isn't going to change anything. Counsel the girls and woman, and leave the laws alone. The money and time and other resources can be better spent.
Yes, I love my children. If they came out as lesbians, I would still love them. Don't open this can of worms -- think Dick Cheney.
No, who my niece is, isn't always perfectly fine. But it has nothing to do with her sexuality. She's a royal pain in the arse most days, but that is just her.
Yes, I support the right to keep and bear arms.
No, I wouldn't have owned slaves.
Yes, I know the Holocaust happened.
Yes, I know that Judaism doesn't like homosexuality, but the act that is specifically forbidden is anal sex. That is what I was referring to. Each branch of Judaism has a slightly different view on this. Producing children is one mitzvah. It's one that a gay couple theoretically can't fulfill. There are lots of others they can and do fulfill.
So my last question, what happens to the Republican party if all the conservatives like me stop supporting it? By the private messages I've received (and wow I wish ALL of you would post here too), the really far right side would be standing in the cold, alone. This party is made up of a spectrum of beliefs. Please don't forget that. Sometimes compromise is necessary is it not?
Respect to all of you, and thank you for this morning's debate. This is my last bump for now (because as it was pointed out I've bumped this thread a lot LOL).
~twinzmommy
Nut.
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