Looks like that steam-powered pissant Donald Wildmon’s got his panties in a knot again.
Seems that the company that puts out the pricey American Girls dolls (and associated merchandise) has been selling their own version of the ubiquitous rubber bracelet to support Girls, Inc. This organization’s been around since 1864 and its mission is to “inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold.”
I gather Wildmon & Co. would much rather girls grow up to be good citizens of the Roman Empire and keep their mouths shut in church instead. Wildmon’s threatening a boycott and thundering that American Girl has given its support to a “pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group.”
Hmmm… according to the news story, “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.”
Can’t have that, now, can we? If girls know about science and math, they might not be happy scrubbing floors and having babies. And they certainly aren’t going to be the right kind of women if we let them develop *leadership *skills, for pity’s sake. Athletic skills and team spirit? Fie! Girls aren’t supposed to be on teams. That’s for the boys. Girls are supposed to be cheerleaders–when they’re not home cooking and sewing, and learning housewifely skills, that is.
People like Wildmon have been dragged kicking and screaming into the 19th century and they don’t like it, not one bit. So they’re going to do their best to make sure that none of the females under their control ever gets the idea that they might possibly be living in the 21st.
Of course, I guess that means that the little rightwingettes aren’t going to be getting their hands on those subversive storybooks any more. Why, there’s even one about a little girl who gets to quit being a slave!
I think I bought my daughter the wrong doll all those years ago. My nieces have been big American Girl doll fans, and earned/saved their own money to buy them. Now, at 14, they excel in science and math, are brilliant musically, are leaders in their school, and are sought-after atheletes They don’t read enough for pleasure any more, but then they don’t have much free time. Oh, and they go to church, but not every week because of soccer.
Such power those dolls have. All my daughter got was a CabbagePatch doll. Who knew?
Hmm… Any basis behind the “pro-abortion, pro-lesbian” accusation for Girls, Inc? I mean, for the most part I don’t think either of those charges are all that bad, but it’s curious that they would just get “pro-abortion” from " building girls’ skills in science and math" without something in-between.
As part of the usual misogny often held by the religious right, yes, there is a perceived connection, despite Girls Inc. not pushing abortion or advocating that straight be be gay. The Girls Club empowers women. Empowerment leads to people who insist on making choices for themselves in their lives. Freedom of choice is disturbing to the religious right when used in the context of abortion.
More specifically, the Girls Club promotes the right to resist gender stereotypes, offers sex education, and is politically/legislatively active in promoting women’s rights, all of which are anathema to the religious right, for these set the stage for developing a society in which it is possible for people to accept gays, or to insist on freedom of choice on issues such as abortion.
To put it simply, the Girls Club is a feminist organization. The values that tend to be held by feminists – particularly those related to empowerment – tend to open to the door to openly considering issues such as the acceptance of homosexuality or the possibility of freedom to chose an abortion, even if homosexuality or abortion are not part of Girls Inc.’s program.
Which is why to some folks on the religious right, Girls Inc. offering an abstinence based sex ed programs equates with promoting abortion, and Girls Inc. lobbying for equal access to athletics in schools equates with promoting lesbianism. Yes, that is one heck of a disconnect, but that’s misogyny for you.
Of course, supporting a woman’s right to choose does not necessarily make one “pro-abortion.” Most pro-choice folk i know would be quite happy if no-one ever needed to have an abortion. The pro-choice movement isn’t some conspiracy to keep abortion providers in business.
I know, but that’s commonly the label slapped on those of us who believe abortion should be safe and legal, by those who wish to outlaw it. Misleading, but in common usage regrettably.
You might be interested to know that American Girls used to be (still is?) produced by the Pleasant Company, whose founder’s first name really is Pleasant. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. One of the most liberal cities in America.
Wildmon and his ilk are whackjobs and don’t need logic to spew forth their vile garbage. Remember when he wanted Mighty Mouse taken off TV because the good reverend thought the superhero was snorting cocaine?
Cool. I thought that American Girl was just a candy-ass fad, and now I know that they’re hell bent on producing flag-burning god-hating lesbians. I know what I’m getting my nieces every Christmas!
Ah, but you get what you pay for. The dolls are very high-quality and they’re something that a girl can keep forever-both as a toy and a collectible. My cousin has one-the only thing is her hair is somewhat ratty from constant play, but the company has a doll hospital, and if she ever wants to, they’ll re-root the doll’s hair for her.
I don’t support American girls dolls because they promote a waspy aesthetic that I find repulsive. All those fucking muted cornflower blues and pinks! Fuck them and their waspocracy!
When I was about eight or so, my parent got me a Molly doll. Other than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures, it was the only doll I ever wanted. I think I saved up about half the cost, and my parents covered the rest. It was a huge Hanukah gift for me that year, and my parents made it clear that it was not a cheap toy to just throw around. But I loved that doll: it was one of the few “girly” type things I was ever into at all. My parents were happy, I was happy, and life was good. Apparently, though, my parents helped enable me to become the far-left raving feminist I am. I’m not quite sure what to make of that.