WTF?!?!

Anyone who's familiar with the American Girl brand of dolls knows that they put out themed dolls every now and then.

The line of dolls were originally started by a teacher and each doll had a unique story/background and accompanying books. For example, there's the homesteader, the native american one, the hispanic one, and a bunch of others that my daughter used to fawn over.

She sold the line to Mattel a number of years ago, and they've made tons of money off the line (the dolls used to be handcrafted in Germany so they were expensive - now they're mass-produced in China and even MORE expensive).

Now they have released GWEN.

Apparently, her "story" is that she's homeless.



I don't know. Maybe it seemed a good idea in some corporate board meeting before the Great Recession. But I just don't feel that it's appropriate for them to be making money on something that's even loosely based on others' misery...or for that matter...to have (mostly) well-to-do girls playing with a doll that represents every have-not's worst fear.

Or is it just me?

Story HERE

It would be great if proceeds from the doll went to the homeless.

Why homeless Gwen gotta be in flip flops???

johnart said:

Exactly. I don't mind a homeless American Girl. That's an important plight to give voice to. But it's also an important plight to give support to, and at darned near $100 a doll, AG is in the perfect position.
[Edited 9/29/09 20:14pm]

Lammastide said:

Does the box it come in become shelter?

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

johnart said:

PurpleJedi said:

What??
I didn't say anything about Newspaper and Squeegee Not Included.

johnart said:

Lammastide said:

What he said.

I can't say I much understand the appeal of the American Girl line to begin with. Sure, they're considered a wholesome, clean alternative to Barbies and Bratz -which many parents don't approve of -but they also deal in some odd romanticizing of racial groups and cutesy retconning of history. IMO they're awfully precious and cloying, and as a little girl I wouldn't have wanted one.

Homeless? She looks more like she's going to the beach!!!

This would be more like it:

GirlBrother said:

That's Homeless Baby Tranny Hooker Bratz.

johnart said:

Aren't all Bratz dolls homeless baby tranny hookers?

GirlBrother said:

No. That one is Amanda Lepore Bratz.


I mean...yes.

johnart said:

johnart said:

GirlBrother said:

Get it hooker! Werrrrrk!

The vagina they put on her face is way more impressive than they put one between her legs.

meow85 said:

Exorbitant prices notwithstanding, I can't say I'm too mad at American Girl for this. All historical toys -- and historical accounts made palatable for children -- entail a certain level of sentimentality and "cleansing."

My kid has the American Girl Addy, an African American born into slavery and escaped via the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War. I've actually been impressed with her backstory. She escaped with the aid of both black and white abolitionists. Folk were injured, families were ripped apart, people on various sides died and/or "disappeared," and Addy never even learns her own birthday. It's a fairly age-appropriate picture of American slavery, I think. And, of course, the idea is it piques the interest to learn more as appropriate. I agree it'd be awfully stunted if the education just began and ended with AG.

Lammastide said:

Trouble is, I'm afraid there are probably parents who see buying a "historical" toy for their kid as an education.

The preciousness of the line overall is a little much for my tastes. I mean, I was a fan of the original My Little Pony when I was little and I still feel something is a little too sugary about the AG dolls. Plenty would disagree with me though. This new doll is supposed to be homeless but that's an awfully nice outfit she's got on.

johnart said:

Oh. I thought she was doing a hand-stand and that was her vah-jay-jay.

Those dolls are so expensive! I agree The company is just making money by getting little girls to feel sorry for her and buy her. Are the homeless benefiting from this? I hate consumer marketing!

meow85 said:

I agree something about this latest doll is a bit... "off" yet. I mean, I've met homeless people that are well kept, so Gwen needn't be toothless with track marks or anything , but I do get the impression this teachable moment could end up as simply being sterilized dead-end pity in a box.

American Girl has done some notable giving in the past. I hope, though, they take this latest opportunity to take part in a pointed campaign toward homeless relief -- not so much to toot their own horn, but because they've got the attention of a very important future demographic with obvious disposable income. I think they could really do some good here, at least with raising awareness.

johnart said:

You made me laugh out loud...

GirlBrother said:

peacenlovealways said:

It's late here. I hope you didn't wake nobody up where u are.

johnart said:

my mom is sleeping..it's 12:26 am nope...didn't wake anyone...about to hit the sack myself.

johnart said:

Oh man...I needed that laugh.

Lammastide said:

I'm a little afraid that's what it could be, but I guess we'll have to see how it goes.

Does anyone know if any of the sales from the Gwen doll are going towards any organizations that work with homeless people, or anti-poverty activism, or even towards politicians likely to support the cause?

meow85 said:

When in doubt, ask Wikipedia ...

Gwen Thompson and Homelessness
Gwen Thompson, a limited edition doll marketed as a friend to 2009 Girl of the Year Chrissa, was associated with some controversy when a conservative columnist writing in the New York Post in September 2009 characterized the doll's backstory as inappropriate "political indoctrination" intended to encourage children to sympathize with the homeless.[23] The story was subsequently picked up in multiple media venues. American Girl has expressed dismay over the controversy, noting that its dolls "offer valuable lessons about life" and that it is "disheartened that there has been any confusion over our fictional characters." [24] While no proceeds from sales of Gwen have been directly earmarked for homeless aid, American Girl has cited its donations of "almost $500,000" in the last several years to national non-profit homeless housing group HomeAid through its Project Playhouse program.[25].