If you knew a company that produced books and toys for girls that encouraged them to read, nurtured a love of history, and helped them to develop creativity, self-confidence, and decision making skills, would you support them?
Not if you are a member of the religious right--- instead, you'd be calling for a boycott.
From the Associated Press
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 Girls, Inc., a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
My daughter is ten years old. She has grown up reading the
American Girl series of books, much the same way that my generation grew up with
Little House on the Prairie.
The word "wholesome" is overused, but these books and products are exactly that--age appropriate, wholesome materials for girls. The American Girl Magazine, to which my daughter has subscribed for two years now, contains no advertising. Instead of focusing on clothes and boys and make-up like many other offerings in that age bracket, it has this mission:
American Girl is the age appropriate alternative to teen magazines. Designed to affirm self-esteem, celebrate achievements, and foster creativity, American Girl's message is one of support and positive reinforcement: You're great just the way you are!
Through American Girl books and magazines my daughter has developed a love of history. She's followed likeable characters through the American Revolution, through slavery, and through the Great Depression and WWII. The company's line of International Girl books also introduced her to heroines from India, Turkey, Pakistan, and other cultures and religions.
The magazine has given her countless craft and activity suggestions, too. One Father's Day she made smoothies as a gift for her dad from the magazine's recipes. For Valentine's Day she created homemade beaded Valentines for every child in her class by following the American Girl "do it yourself" directions. Last summer, one hot afternoon she and her best friend treated us all to tropical drinks made with blue Jell-O with gummi fish and pineapple-slice life-preservers. And this weekend she spent all day Saturday making her own Halloween costume based on an idea she found at American Girl.
For her birthday last year we took a mother-daughter trip to Chicago, to see the American Girl store and the musical theater production based on the books, and to have "tea" in the American Girl Café, where a special seat and place setting is even provided for the dolls. (I figured I'd better act fast if I wanted to do something that involved both dolls and a trip with her mother, because at ten-going-on-eleven, I knew I had, oh, maybe fifteen more minutes that "dolls' and "mom" would be included in any sentence with the word "fun")
Because it was her birthday, my daughter got to pose onstage with the cast members of "Circle of Friends," The American Girl musical production.
Mugging for the camera during tea in the Café
In front of the display case for "Molly," whose story takes place during World War II.
But I guess all this family focused, away-from-the-TV, American history activity isn't good enough for some conservatives, who apparently would like to see all of this snuffed out because American Girl, the corporation, also provides some charitable donations for Girls, Inc., the former Girls Clubs of America.
From the letter at the top of the Girls, Inc. website:
To all friends of strong, smart, and bold girls:
Girls Inc. has empowered girls for over 141 years, first as Girls Clubs of America and since 1990 as Girls Incorporated. In centers across the country, generations of girls have learned their strengths, explored their worlds, prepared for productive, interesting lives, and offered each other the support necessary in dealing with the challenges of growing up.
Grounded in research and tested in the field, Girls Inc. programs address the whole girl. They build her athletic skills and competitive spirit, nurture her ability and interest in science, math and technology, equip her with critical health and sexuality information, provide her leadership experience, teach her media literacy and money management skills, and foster her self-respect and self-determination.
Programs such as Girls Inc. Operation SMART®, Girls Inc. Discovery Leadership®, and Girls Inc. Sporting Chance® help girls understand who they are and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to make smart, informed decisions about their lives.
<snip>
Recently, our mission to help girls develop their self-esteem and self-reliance has become the target of false, inflammatory statements from people who are pursuing a narrow political agenda.
(emphasis mine.)
Read the rest of the letter
So who is making the call for a boycott, based on issues of Girls, Inc. supporting abortion and homosexuality?
American Family Association
Pro-life Action League
Boycott Liberalism
What does Girls, Inc, actually say about sex, abortion, and lesbians?
Girls Incorporated encourages all girls to develop positive sexual identities and to function comfortably as responsible sexual beings. We recognize that the family is the primary source of information about sex and we help girls and young women communicate with their families about sexuality.
To make responsible decisions about sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood, girls need and have a right to sensitive, truthful sexuality education; convenient access to safe, effective methods of contraception and protection from disease; and referral to comprehensive information, counseling, clinical and other services that support their responsible decisions.
We recognize that any sizable group of girls includes those who face issues related to their sexual orientation or that of a family member and who face discrimination based on this sexual orientation. Girls have a right to positive, supportive environments and linkages to community resources for dealing with issues of sexual orientation.
Read the whole statement
Now, I don't know for sure about all of you, but that statement from Girls Inc. reads pretty much like my dream platform for any political candidate. I can support every word of that mission, 100%.
So, do you have a buck that you can throw at a good cause?
Purchase an "I Can" Band for one dollar
Donations raised through "I CAN" are earmarked to support programs in three important areas: Intellectual Development, Leadership, and Sports, including:
- Girls Inc. Operation SMART®, which helps girls build skills in science, math, and technology
- Girls Inc. Discovery Leadership®, which helps girls develop leadership skills and community awareness; and
- Girls Inc. Sporting Chance®, which encourages athletic skills, cooperative and competitive spirit, and an interest in sports participation.
from the American Girl website
So let's work to offset any success a boycott by conservative bigots may have. Show your support for the American Girl company and for Girls, Inc. Spend a dollar and buy a band, donate directly to Girls Inc., or at least send a letter of support to either or both organizations.
The Company's products may be expensive, the dolls that girls carry around may not thrill you, and you may not want to encourage the consumer aspect of the company, but surely we can all get behind the goals of helping all American girls--no trademark needed--to realize their potential.