Monday, August 22, 2011

Disney Store Foul

I'm not a huge purchaser of Disney paraphernalia {mostly because I'm too cheap} but you can bet your bottom dollar I won't be supporting them anytime soon.

I just saw, via twitter, a link concerning The Disney Store's new line of Mickey/Minnie Mouse-wear.  At first glance, I thought - "Oh!  How cute! A visually imparred Mickey Mouse!"  Garrett always notices other children wearing glasses like he does.  And how cool would it be to wear "Mickey Mickey House" clothing showing the iconical mouse sporting eye wear? {it appears, upon further inspection, they are only offered in the girls department}

HOWEVER.  {and yes, that's a big however.}  Once I read the rest of the link, and then went and looked for myself, it became blatantly obvious I would NEVER be purchasing from this line of clothing and supplies. 

http://www.disneystore.com/nerds-minnie-and-mickey-mouse-hoodie-for-girls/mp/1287950/1000131+1000763/

If you click this link, you will see a hoodie.  A hoodie with Mickey and Minnie wearing glasses.  And being called "NERDS".  Every single item in this line {and even in the link address} sport the word NERD...insinuating children/people/mice who wear glasses are nerds.  And I don't know about you, but when I hear the term "nerd", it holds a negative connotation.

I'm just glad that Garrett can't read yet, so if he were to see these items, he could be blissfully unaware of what Disney is inferring.  I'm also terribly concerned with the potential bullying which could come from such asinine products.

I went to http://www.disneystore.com/ and in the upper right hand side, clicked on "Contact Us" and sent an email, basically saying what this post has said.  I know I don't have much of a following on here, but if you happen across this, I - and other parents of glasses-wearing children - would appreciate if you could take a second and do the same.  I certainly don't consider my 3 1/2 year old a "nerd".  He's a spunky, adorable little boy who happens to have a medical, visual imparment.  Anyone - especially a huge corporation marketing items directly to his age group - who insinuates otherwise makes the "mother bear" in me come out.  And come out swinging.

 
 
 
 

6 comments:

  1. Woohoo! Kudos to your post and to you sticking up for your son and all the children who wear glasses. Thank you for helping this cause. I look forward to following your blog now :)

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  2. I just sent a message...and even included the wikipedia definition of 'nerd' as support for the connotation it implies. Don't mess with my Gershy!

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  3. You are absolutely right Kimberley! I will send a message too! Garrett is one of my favorite 3 year olds and I am offended too :)

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  4. Thanks, Ladies! I still just get so mad even thinking about it...urgh! Thanks for supporting my little man...and the countless others. <3

    And Bethany, Thank YOU for bringing this to my - and so many others - attention! Without your tweet, I would have been blissfully unaware. I, too, look forward to following your blog and reading up on your 3 cuties!

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  5. I wanted to send you this message that I just sent to friends and family on facebook--pass the word along and let's put out one last fight!

    Good morning friends :)

    I went back through my facebook feed and came up with this list because each of you either complained to Disney about their nerds line or somehow provided support as the first news story aired. I would first like to thank each of you for your kind words and for backing Scott and I up on something we firmly believed was a wrong move for a company so many young children love.

    I wrote on our blog Tuesday night that we are "done" trying to campaign for Disney to know this line was inconsiderate for children with glasses and insensitive altogether, and truly, after this final move I am done.

    I would like to ask each of you to file one more complaint. This is because Shawn Turner, head of PR for Disney, has in essence called me a liar on two television stations and is adamant that Disney has received NO complaints on the nerds line. Um, who checks the Disney Store complaint email box? Apparently no one.

    So if you could send just one more email with your thoughts and feelings to Shawn Turner herself, I would be FOREVER GRATEFUL. Here is her contact information:

    Shawn Turner
    Disney Store North America
    818-544-0848
    shawn.n.turner@disney.com

    I am sending my own email off this morning, basically just copying and pasting what I wrote on our blog in August. Your email doesn't have to be long or take up much of your time--just a sentence saying you think the nerds line was insensitive is enough. Or you can give her a piece of your mind if you have an extra 5 minutes--wouldn't hurt to do so :)

    And since I've taken some recent heat over the word "nerd" I'd just like to remind you as you write Shawn what Websters defines it as:

    a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person

    Do we want our children who wear glasses because they HAVE to labeled with such a hurtful term? Nope!

    Thanks everyone for everything. You're all the best!

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