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desertvixenPlaced in a cut due to the length of the article, and the knowledge that some members of my f-list do not wish to read politics-related stuff:
Groups Threaten to Boycott American Girl By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
NEW YORK - American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."
American Girl, whose often patriotic products have long had a loyal following among conservatives, issued a statement Friday defending its support of Girls Inc. and assailing the protest campaign.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement said.
The Mississippi-based American Family Association, in a campaign launched Wednesday, is urging its members to demand that American Girl halt support for Girls Inc., which it called "a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group."
"Let American Girl know they are making a terrible mistake," AFA chairman Don Wildmon said in a statement. The AFA says it has more than 2.2 million members.
The Pro-Life Action League, a Chicago-based anti-abortion group, also is asking supporters to contact American Girl to express dismay. The league's executive director, Ann Scheidler, said her organization might call for a boycott of American Girl's products and organize picketing at its stores in Chicago and New York if the company doesn't sever ties with Girls Inc.
"Parents need to know that this effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems," Scheidler said. "While Girls Inc. has some good programs, they also support abortion, oppose abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism."
Yes, because we wouldn't want our girls to have healthy self-esteem, now would we? Thinking for themselves, making decisions about important things in their lives.
American Girl, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., said the "I Can" initiative supports three specific Girls Inc. programs — building girls' skills in science and math, developing leadership skills, and encouraging athletic skills and team spirit.
"All of these aims are appropriate to our 7- to 12-year-old American Girl fans," the company said. "The American Girl brand exemplifies the values of wholesomeness and responsibility that we would expect any organization to commend."
Girls Inc., which traces its roots back to a center founded in Waterbury, Conn., in 1864, serves about 800,000 girls a year, many of them black or Hispanic and most from low-income families.
The "advocacy" page on its Web site lists some of the positions that roused conservative ire — for example a clear endorsement the 1973
Roe v. Wade court decision establishing a woman's right to abortion.
Girls Inc. also supports a girl's right to have access to contraception and pledges support for girls dealing with issues of sexual orientation.
Joyce Roche, the president of Girls Inc., said the New York-based organization had never before been targeted by a protest campaign.
"We were taken aback," she said in a telephone interview Friday. "Our programs are well-respected. We're all about helping girls see possibilities and dream big dreams."
She said Girls Inc. takes positions on public policy issues if it believes women's rights and opportunities are at stake. "Our philosophy is that women should have the right to make decisions about themselves," Roche said.
Again, things that some elements of our society don't appear to believe in.
If women do not have the right to control their reproductive life, we do not have the right to control anything in our lives. To make these decisions, we need to have:
a) Access to reliable birth control without having to fight pharmacists/government - regardless of economic status
b) Access to factual, correct information about our bodies, sex, pregnancy, and birth control
c) Access to abortion, should it be necessary - regardless of economic status
One of the protest coordinators, American Family Association special projects director Randy Sharp, said the campaign was noteworthy because American Girl's products have long been favored by conservatives. Its dolls (full-sized models sell for more than $80) include a series from different eras of American history — such as Felicity, from the Revolutionary War, or Addy, who escapes from slavery during the Civil War.
"American Girl has won the trust of millions of conservative families," Sharp said. "It's very popular among the home school movement because of the values the company followed."
"Now we find they're teaming up with Girls Inc., which supports the very things we oppose. It's very troubling."
Sharp said the AFA was not yet ready to call for a boycott, but he predicted that many conservative families — including his own — would be reluctant to keep buying American Girl products. "I think no question this will have a financial impact on American Girl," he said.
DV
Groups Threaten to Boycott American Girl By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
NEW YORK - American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."
American Girl, whose often patriotic products have long had a loyal following among conservatives, issued a statement Friday defending its support of Girls Inc. and assailing the protest campaign.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement said.
The Mississippi-based American Family Association, in a campaign launched Wednesday, is urging its members to demand that American Girl halt support for Girls Inc., which it called "a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group."
"Let American Girl know they are making a terrible mistake," AFA chairman Don Wildmon said in a statement. The AFA says it has more than 2.2 million members.
The Pro-Life Action League, a Chicago-based anti-abortion group, also is asking supporters to contact American Girl to express dismay. The league's executive director, Ann Scheidler, said her organization might call for a boycott of American Girl's products and organize picketing at its stores in Chicago and New York if the company doesn't sever ties with Girls Inc.
"Parents need to know that this effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems," Scheidler said. "While Girls Inc. has some good programs, they also support abortion, oppose abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism."
Yes, because we wouldn't want our girls to have healthy self-esteem, now would we? Thinking for themselves, making decisions about important things in their lives.
American Girl, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., said the "I Can" initiative supports three specific Girls Inc. programs — building girls' skills in science and math, developing leadership skills, and encouraging athletic skills and team spirit.
"All of these aims are appropriate to our 7- to 12-year-old American Girl fans," the company said. "The American Girl brand exemplifies the values of wholesomeness and responsibility that we would expect any organization to commend."
Girls Inc., which traces its roots back to a center founded in Waterbury, Conn., in 1864, serves about 800,000 girls a year, many of them black or Hispanic and most from low-income families.
The "advocacy" page on its Web site lists some of the positions that roused conservative ire — for example a clear endorsement the 1973
Roe v. Wade court decision establishing a woman's right to abortion.
Girls Inc. also supports a girl's right to have access to contraception and pledges support for girls dealing with issues of sexual orientation.
Joyce Roche, the president of Girls Inc., said the New York-based organization had never before been targeted by a protest campaign.
"We were taken aback," she said in a telephone interview Friday. "Our programs are well-respected. We're all about helping girls see possibilities and dream big dreams."
She said Girls Inc. takes positions on public policy issues if it believes women's rights and opportunities are at stake. "Our philosophy is that women should have the right to make decisions about themselves," Roche said.
Again, things that some elements of our society don't appear to believe in.
If women do not have the right to control their reproductive life, we do not have the right to control anything in our lives. To make these decisions, we need to have:
a) Access to reliable birth control without having to fight pharmacists/government - regardless of economic status
b) Access to factual, correct information about our bodies, sex, pregnancy, and birth control
c) Access to abortion, should it be necessary - regardless of economic status
One of the protest coordinators, American Family Association special projects director Randy Sharp, said the campaign was noteworthy because American Girl's products have long been favored by conservatives. Its dolls (full-sized models sell for more than $80) include a series from different eras of American history — such as Felicity, from the Revolutionary War, or Addy, who escapes from slavery during the Civil War.
"American Girl has won the trust of millions of conservative families," Sharp said. "It's very popular among the home school movement because of the values the company followed."
"Now we find they're teaming up with Girls Inc., which supports the very things we oppose. It's very troubling."
Sharp said the AFA was not yet ready to call for a boycott, but he predicted that many conservative families — including his own — would be reluctant to keep buying American Girl products. "I think no question this will have a financial impact on American Girl," he said.
DV
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no subject
Date: 2005-10-14 04:32 pm (UTC)/me grars at the intolerant attitudes.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-14 05:19 pm (UTC)Here.
American Girl - http://www.americangirl.com/
Girls Inc - http://www.girls-inc.org/
** The site intro page mentions the campaign **
It looks pretty dangerous to me - look at this !
http://www.girls-inc.org/ic/page.php?id=4.3
They have one here in Augusta, so I think I'll see if they have any volunteer opportunities available.
None in Austin, but one in SA:
http://www.chshel.org/girlsinc.htm
DV
I'm seeing red.
Date: 2005-10-14 05:00 pm (UTC)That's the wonderful thing about America - if they don't like what American Girl supports, then they don't have to buy their products. They just don't seem to want anyone else to have the rights that are bestowed them that they enjoy so much.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-14 06:56 pm (UTC)