Posted on 02/02/2005 12:10:30 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Chicago) Tuesday invited the president of the company that makes American Girl dolls to visit Pilsen after the firm angered some Hispanics by describing the neighborhood in a storybook as "dangerous.''
Meanwhile, Ald. Daniel Solis (25th) said he had set up a meeting for next week with a representative from Mattel, American Girl's parent company, to discuss what he said was "probably an unintended mistake.''
The Wisconsin-based American Girl rankled some when it set the back story of a new doll in Chicago. The storybook describes how a Mexican-American girl named Marisol Luna moves to suburban Des Plaines after her parents fear for her safety.
In the book, which accompanies the $84 doll, Marisol's parents tell her "It's time we get out of this neighborhood.'' Pilsen is not specifically named but the family is described as living across the street from Harrison Park at 18th and Damen.
Says Marisol in the book: "[My mother] explained it was no place for me to grow up. It was dangerous, and there was no place for me to play.''
3 murders near doll's park
Juana Guzman, vice president of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, called the book "insulting to the neighborhood'' and complained that the story line carries the message that one has to "move to the suburbs to be safe.'' Police Cmdr. Ronald Sodini added that he was "offended'' and that the community has worked hard to cut crime.
An American Girl spokeswoman said the danger reference is to street traffic. In a statement issued Tuesday, the company added that "it's risky to base an entire book on one sentence out of 136 pages.'' The book's main message is "it doesn't matter where you live -- it's your desire to stay true to yourself and your family that counts,'' the company said.
In his invitation to American Girl President Ellen S. Brothers, Gutierrez said "Pilsen is flush with parks, with top notch playgrounds and athletic fields and other amenities.... Your assertion that there are no places for children to play is simply not correct.''
The congressman said the story line "demeans the character of thousands of families and their daughters growing up in Pilsen.''
American Girl spokeswoman Stephanie Spanos said Brothers "plans to speak with Congressman Gutierrez directly'' but that no decision to meet in Pilsen has been made.
Solis said there are street gangs in Pilsen but "there are problems across the country with gangs.'' According to police, the Monroe District saw a 15 percent decline in violent crimes between December 2003 and December 2004, the second best drop percentage-wise in the city. Crime in the beat around Harrison Park included three murders and 41 aggravated batteries in 2004.
Solis said property values are on the rise -- "people don't want to leave'' -- and "you don't have to move to the suburbs to raise your family.''
They are worried that the Dolls will be taken Hostage by insurgents.
Tempest in a Teapot LOL.
I've been hearing this story all over talk radio the last couple of days, but I never heard them mention that the family is supposed to move to Des Plaines! LOL!!! Yeah, that's ALOT better then Pilsen! LMAO!
Have these same Dems ever spoken out against Gangsta rap lyrics?
When GI Joe gets free is going to come over and kick their ass.
Picking on a doll.
My, my, my.
Used to hit 18th Street in Pilsen for the annual art fair. I also used to enjoy the Mexican bakeries and restaurants along Cermak. Nevertheless: 1. The nabe is dangerous at night, especially the farther west you go towards Little Village/Cicero and 2. Many second generation Mexican Americans have moved to places like Des Plaines and Addison to get away from the criminal element.
If there were three murders and 41 aggravated batteries in my neighborhood in a year, I would move, if I could. This is a no-brainer.
That's scandalous!
84 bucks for a doll?
Des Plaines isn't that bad, or wasn't when I lived in Chicagoland 1997-1999. It aint Inverness or Highland Park, but it aint Cicero or Bellwood either.
Another example of political correct bullsh*t! The stories of each of the American Girl are meant to teach young girls the diversity in which each of the American girls grow up.
Bishop's Chili Restaurant used to be located at 18th and Damen. It was the best chili, I've ever had. Used to eat there several times a week while in graduate school. Unfortunately, it's no longer there.
If I had that in my neighborhood, I would consider someplace safer, too, like Bogota, Baghdad or Manila.
You obviously live in Outerwhitelandia/Exurbia. Some crackhead got iced two weeks ago in front of my (very expensive) apartment/condo complex. Will I move, HELL NO!
Dont these fools have anything better to do? Although if they are wasting time on this, that does cut down on time spent destroying their existing civilization...
A "Truth Hurts" bump...
Sheez ... storybooks have sure changed since my time.
you couldn't pay for better comedy than what is done by our own politicians.
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