Conservative Christians go the extra mile to get offended

In the "right things for the wrong reasons" column goes this article on MSNBC that I discovered while browsing for celebrity gossip. It appears that conservative christians love the American Girl dolls because they are not, unlike Barbie or Bratz, total sluts. I've seen girls carrying these dolls, and I've seen the incredible lines that form outside the American Girl store here in Manhattan, where girls can have their dolls' hair styled, or take them to tea. It sounds like a lot of fun, and perfect practice for all those aspiring La Blondes out there, especially if mom and dad chip in for the "Genetics Lab" accessories kit. Considering that all the dolls come with books that place them in historical context and teach important life lessons, what could possibly be wrong?

Well, apparently, one fundy mom found that AG was donating money from their "I Can" bracelets to Girls, Inc.- and Girls, Inc.'s webpage contained "an endorsement of Roe v. Wade and language supportive of homosexuals." (from the MSNBC article). How dare they encourage ethical behavior and girl's empowerment without including hatred and shame!

AG no longer sells the "I Can" bracelet on their website, but rather, and "I Can" band, which includes:

...an American Girl “I CAN” promise card that you can sign and keep as a reminder that— when you believe in yourself—anything is possible.

AG is no longer donating proceeds from this or any item to Girls, Inc., since the only thing not possible when you believe in yourself is expressing your sexuality without being told that you are evil or dirty.

There is no obvious mention of this messy exchange on the AG website, but Girls, Inc. is not taking this affront laying down. The state on their homepage

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.

There are those of us who believe that the empowerment of women begins with girls everywhere being able to be able to live the lives they want without fear, and to know that achievment is their right. To this end, I recommend writing a strongly-worded e-mail to American Girl for their shameless pussing-out in the face of conservative pressure, and also a donation to Girls, Inc. to let them know that we really do believe that anything is possible.