Apparently American Girl isn’t squeaky clean enough for some conservative groups, because of their support for a respected girls-advocacy group.
Chicago Tribune | Groups Threaten to Boycott American Girl
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.
The group in question is Girls Inc., and the links to advocacy groups that raised the ire of the pro-life, anti-girl groups :eyeroll: are here.
This boycott will mean little or nothing to family members of mine who are big American Girl fans – personally, I can’t really see the appeal, although I’ve read and enjoyed some of the books. I don’t “get” the American Girl love, where little girls and their moms make pilgrimages to American Girl Place to have lunch, watch a show, and buy dolls and matching outfits for themselves.
However, I totally “get” the need for a girls’ advocacy group to help young women deal with issues of their own sexuality and health. Because if we don’t help them deal with it, untold lives will be ruined, and untold children will be raised in an unending cycle of poverty. That’s where the pro-life factions fail to “get” it; they do everything to protect the philosophical concept of “life,” but they do nothing to protect young womens’ lives, or the lives of their children. Once they’re born, not their problem, apparently.
