Target Boycotted Over 'Christmas'

Focus on the Family ^ | 12/02/05 | Pete Winn

[bulldozer]

The American Family Association (AFA) has expanded a nationwide boycott of Target stores. AFA Founder and Chairman Don Wildmon said the reason is simple: Target refuses to use the word "Christmas" — instead referring only to a generic "holiday."

"Target has an anti-Christian stance and they are not going to change it," Wildmon said. "We asked them if next Christmas — not this one, but next Christmas — if they would use the term Christmas in their in-store promotions and retail advertising. If they would commit to it, we would ask people to go shop with them. We knew that it was too late to do it this year, but next year they could."

He told officials at Target if they chose not to respond, he would ask people not to be customers.

"They did not respond," Wildmon said. "That sent a clear message. Instead of writing back and trying to give us any kind of an argument why they're doing this, they just didn't respond."

Target did talk to CitizenLink about the issue. Corporate spokeswoman Carolyn Brookter attempted to sidestep and said Target "absolutely does not have a policy that bans our team members or employees from saying Merry Christmas."

When pressed, she did admit that Target is not referring to Christmas in its advertising and corporate communications this year.

"Our focus and our marketing theme is actually called 'Gather Round,' " Brookter explained. "So, all of the marketing that you'll see in advertising has to do with a particular theme. But we have used Christmas, as recently as last year — and certainly in some other years."

A visit to the Target.com Web site, meanwhile, finds mention of "holiday cheer" and "holiday decorating" — but no mention of "Christmas," even in association with the word "gifts."

[bulldozer]

On Target’s Diversity Calendar (with events, holidays, and celebrations) they celebrate in June - Pride Month

• Began as Pride Days, held at various times around the United States for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) groups.

• All these celebrations were combined into Pride Month.

• June was chosen to commemorate the Stonewall protests, a three-day demonstration against discrimination in New York City in June of 1969.

No mention of Christmas in December.

Target Diversity Calendar

[Sender]

Normally I don't pay much heed to these boycott-the-big-box things, but I may just forget to visit Target this year. Happy Festivus.

[x5452]

I'm up for boycotting em.

'Sides their prices are usually higher than Walmart anyway.

[mcg2000]

With so many choices, it's easy to avoid Target. I'm nearly done shopping and have managed to do so w/ease.

[imintrouble]

What about a Grass Movement with placards saying "Merry Christmas" are held by people at the door of Target Stores?

If they are told to move on.... it would make the news.

If Cindy Sheehan can play the game....why not a fight to save our Sacred Holiday!

That said: Target doesn't represent Christmas to me anyway... nor does any commercial store because they rely on Christmas for the bulk of their sales for the year. Yet they deny the words of celebration.

However I would love to get the Merry Message out... bring it to the public's attention.

[stm]

I told my wife in no uncertain terms, she is NOT to shop at the two local Target stores we have her in town. Screw these people. WalMart loves veterans and they have always allowed the Salvation Army to have their volunteers outside asking for donations for the poor.

[Gay State Conservative]

After seeing this "diversity" calendar,Target has been placed on my official boycott list,along with:China,Airbus, Vermont,Germany,hospitals that perform abortions,the United Way...and many others.

[HighlyOpinionated]

Target's kids clothes are much better made than spraWal-boxMart's and I usually give my grandkids gift cards to Target.

They just screwed up and lost my business. And I'll mention it to my friends and on my blog.

http://auntiecoosa.blogspot.com

[Hodar]

Don't forget that those who take advantage of the Target Bridal Registry, and receive something they do not need/want can ONLY exchange it for something from the same department.

If you get 2 blenders, you can't exchange one for dishes, cleaning supplies, bedding, silverware ... it HAS to be from the Kitchen electronics department. So, your options are a Mixer, Waffle maker, Juicer, ect.

There used to be something called Customer Service; Target apparently has decided to treat their customers as if we were their employees.

I think Target has outlived their usefullness. That's OK, we shop Kohls now; and there is always Dillards, Foley's and Wal-Mart.

[Dallas59]

Who is target scaring away by using "Christmas"?

[RKBA Democrat]

Evil tends to sow the seeds of it's own destruction.

Most retailers make their profit for the year during the Christmas season. And Target would probably be counted amongst those retailers. It's not the kwanzaa season, not the winter solstice season, but the Christmas season where they make their money for the year.

If people in general choose not to celebrate Christmas, or don't celebrate it in the sense of purchasing gifts, then the folks who will suffer most acutely will be the retailers.

I find it ironic that Christians are having to band to gether to encourage retailers to do something that ultimately improves the profitability of retailers; promote and celebrate Christmas.

[Tax-chick]

I bought a box of blocks, a DVD, and two clusters of jingle bells at a target yesterday. There was no line at the checkout, so maybe other people are boycotting. Good on 'em!

[Dallas59]

Nope...No Christmas....

JANUARY

Martin Luther King Day

FEBRUARY

African American History Month

MARCH

Women’s History Month

MAY

Asian Pacific Heritage Month

JUNE

Pride Month

JULY

Independence Day

AUGUST

Diversity Appreciation Month

SEPTEMBER

Hispanic Heritage Month

OCTOBER

Disability Employment Awareness Month

NOVEMBER

American Indian Heritage Month

DECEMBER

Human Rights Day

[joesbucks]

Too many Christians are so insecure in their faith that they feel dissed everytime anything happens in public this time of year without someone directly quoting Luke and Matthew.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

• June was chosen to commemorate the Stonewall protests, a three-day demonstration against discrimination in New York City in June of 1969.

That was when a bunch of drunk gays rioted.

[Egon]

I looked hard for a grain of truth in your entire post, and failed to find anything.

Target's return policy bears no resemblance to what you're describing.

[stocksthatgoup]

>
>>( >FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All Employees
>>
>>DATE: 1 October 2005
>>
>>RE: Christmas Party
>>
>>I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take
>>place on
>>December 23, starting at noon, in the private function room at the
>>Grill House.
>>
>>There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band
>>playing traditional carols ........ feel free to sing along!
>>
>>And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!
>>
>>A Christmas tree will be lit at 1.00 pm.
>>
>>Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no
>>gift
>>should be over $10 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's
>>pockets.
>>
>>This gathering is only for employees! Our CEO will make a special
>>announcement at that time!
>>
>>Merry Christmas to you and your family.
>>
>>Patty
>>
>>

---

>>
>>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All Employees
>>
>>DATE: 2 October 2005
>>
>>RE: Holiday Party
>>
>>In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees.
>>
>>We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often
>>coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However,
>>from now
>>on we're calling it our "Holiday Party". The same policy applies to any
>>other
>>employees who are not Christians or those still celebrating
>>Reconciliation Day.
>>
>>There will be no Christmas tree present, No Christmas carols sung. We
>>will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
>>
>>Happy now?
>>
>>Happy Holidays to you and your family.
>>
>>Patty
>>
>>

---

>>
>>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All Employees
>>
>>DATE: 3 October 2005
>>
>>RE: Holiday Party
>>
>>Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous
>>requesting a non-drinking table................. you didn't sign your
>>name.
>>
>>I'm happy to accommodate this request but if I put a sign on a table
>>that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I
>>supposed to handle this?
>>
>>Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since
>>the union
>>members feel that $10 is too much money and executives believe $10 is a
>>little
>>chintzy.
>>
>>NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
>>
>>Patty
>>
>>

---

>>
>>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All Employees
>>
>>DATE: 4 October 2005
>>
>>RE: Holiday Party
>>
>>What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the
>>Muslim
>>holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during
>>daylight hours.
>>There goes the party!
>>
>>Seriously we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of the year
>>does not
>>accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can
>>hold off
>>on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package
>>everything for
>>you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
>>
>>Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest
>>from the
>>dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the
>>restrooms.
>>
>>Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit
>>with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be a
>>flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.
>>
>>To the person asking permission to cross-dress, no cross-dressing
>>allowed though.
>>
>>We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be
>>available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the
>>food, we suggest for those people with high blood pressure to taste
>>first.
>>
>>There will be fresh fruits for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply
>>"No sugar" desserts. Sorry!
>>
>>Did I miss anything?!?!?
>>
>>Patty
>>
>>

---

>>
>>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All ****ing Employees
>>
>>DATE: 5 October 2005
>>
>>RE: The ****ing Holiday Party
>>
>>Vegetarian *****s I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep
>>this at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit
>>quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death", as you so
>>quaintly put it, and you'll get your ****ing salad bar, including
>>organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings too. They scream
>>when you
>>slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!
>>
>>I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die.
>>
>>The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>
>>

---

>>
>>FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
>>
>>TO: All Employees
>>
>>DATE: 6 October 2005
>>
>>RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
>>
>>I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery
>>and I'll continue to forward your cards to her
>>
>>In the meantime, Management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and
>>give
>>everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
>>
>>Happy Holidays!
>>

[Mr. Mulliner]

My 82-year-old mother is upset enough to start her own picket line at her local Walmart for their "holiday" policies. Twice in the past couple of days she's said that she would like to see that happening and based on past experience, she's the one likely to end up organizing it.

[MinuteGal]

Most excellent satire, my dear Stocks......and more profound than one could imagine.

Leni

[Egon]

Here's Target's return policy (for Target.com-- in store purchases are virtually identical). It's either true or false.

If the experiences you relate are yours, and not those of a friend of a friend of a friend who read it on the internet, then hire an attorney.