American Girl boycotted: Accused of luring youth into radical feminist ideology

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | November 2, 2005 | WorldNetDaily.com

[Diago]

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

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American Girl boycotted
Accused of luring youth into radical feminist ideology

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Posted: November 2, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

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© 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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[Diago]

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.

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Two alternatives:

http://www.visionforum.com/beautifulgirlhood/about/


http://faith.edu/bookstore/gifts/doll.htm

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Mattel Chairman Bob Eckert -
Jules.Andres@mattel.com
American Girl President Ellen Brothers - ellen.brothers@americangirl.com
Public Relations Susan Jevens -
susan.jevens@americangirl.com

Please tell American Girl (owned by Mattel) you are disappointed that they are now aligning themselves with Girls Inc., a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group.

You can also contact: Ellen L. Brothers, President, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562, Tel: 1-800-845-0005, Fax: 608-828-4790.

[Revelation 911]

The emergence of a lesbian identity is an ongoing process, rather than an event."

no - all it takes is one perverse act to make you a pervert

One sin, and youre a sinner

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

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.

[bmwcyle]

E-mailed, just explained we spend over $400.00 every Christmas. This year will be zero.

[twinzmommy]

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.

[Coldwater Creek]

We have provided our 5 granddaughters with American Girl dolls and spent untold amount of money with this company.

I am really disappointed in their agenda.

[bmwcyle]

E-mail and let them know.

[brwnsuga]

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.

[twinzmommy]

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

[coop71]

Well put and I agree with you 100%.

[TheRobb7]

"American woman....

Stay away from me

American woman...

Mama let me be...."

[NHResident]

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.

[Post-Neolithic]

So lets put the shoe on the other foot shall we. Suppose American Girl donated that same $50,000.00 to Malcom X's org. on the premise that it would be earmarked for the "Good work" they do, would you feel the same then? Or let's suppose they donated to an organization that, for the most part, insisted that Auschwitz was in fact a Jewish lie, however this same group also promoted healthy living. What then?

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.

[twinzmommy]

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.

[austen]

You sound like a reasonable and intelligent woman, but here, your tone suggests that you view yourself as the lone voice of reason and moderation in the midst of a group governed by ignorance and fear -- hence your invocation of the platitudes that "There is way too much hate in the world right now. Education leads [to]understanding, while ignorance breeds fear." Spare me.

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.

[twinzmommy]

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.

[twinzmommy]

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.

[Mr. Jeeves]

You are making sense. That's a very dangerous thing to do on threads like this. ;)