If we consider “band aid” as suggesting that Proje...

2009-10-03T18:57:12.068-07:00

If we consider “band aid” as suggesting that ProjectPlayhouse makes American Girl consumers feel better about the way in which they spend their money … probably so.

However, there is an deeper ideology that I find more troubling than efforts that the privileged make to soothe their conscience. American Girl is promoting the assumption that homelessness exists a priori to individual experience and by default in our society. This is a large part of why Sunshine House in Gwen’s story and fundraisers with Project Playhouse can be so successful.

While I am not downplaying this type of social action in helping the poor, I am concerned that products such as Gwen and their convergence with fundraising “band aids” stifle a conversation that increasingly needs to take place in our society. This conversation is about personal responsibility and where we are located in a capitalist system that creates homelessness. Homelessness does not just exist – no, it fuels the competitive market of supply and demand that provides many with the privilege of being able to afford these dolls.

*LuLu

I suppose it depends how much money they make from...

2009-10-02T13:53:13.838-07:00

I suppose it depends how much money they make from the dolls and how much of that they donate. If it's 100%, great. If it's 10%, I'll give the $95 directly to a local shelter. What about the harder to track profits from accessories bought after the fact?

Comments on Sister Scholar: AMERICAN GIRL RESPONDS

If we consider “band aid” as suggesting that Proje...

I suppose it depends how much money they make from...