Dear Megan,
So, I have to unload about something. I am feeling a bit conflicted!
The VSG (that's Vanderbilt Student Government) recently offered an Angel Tree to help provide gifts for children, and faculty and staff were invited to donate items. I sent in my email stating that I would sponsor a child and they sent an email back with the child's wishlist. It was as follows:
Shirt - size 6/6x
Pants - size 4T
Bratz doll
Workbook or book
Let's put aside for a moment the fact that the clothes I purchased had to adhere to Metro Nashville Public Schools' asinine
Standard School Attire policy (click the link to see the uniform in action). Look at the third item on the list. The
Bratz doll.
I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I find these things to be pure evil in plastic form. Look at that doll over there to the left!! Why are these things being marketed to kindergarteners? I hate these dolls with a searing, white hatred. I find them to be loathsome.
photo via bratz.comYou know all of the things that the singer says about the Grinch in that song of his, like "I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole," or "Given the choice between the two of you, I'd take the seasick crocodile?" These are the things that I feel about the Bratz dolls. I mean, come on! They spell their plural nouns with "Z"s instead of "S"s! This is my biggest pet-peeve ever, higher on the list even than people who keep their blinkers on for several minutes
after they make their lane change.
So, what was I to do? The child wanted a Bratz doll. Who am I to deny her a Merry Christmas just because I think her choice of gift resembles a "bad banana with a greasy black peel?" But it's not just that I hate them. How can I in good conscience give a child a gift that I believe is unhealthy? The dolls are hyper-sexualized (nevermind the clothes--look at those lips!) Sure, 40 is the new 30, but does 6 have to be the next 23?
Anyway, I spent a good hour in Target trying to figure out what to do. Buy the Bratz doll and feel terrible for helping to instill back-asswards views on childhood and/or sexuality; or, not buy the doll and feel terrible for denying a 6-year old her one Christmas wish? I called my mom and she told me that I absolutely could not in good conscience buy the doll and contribute to the "Girls Getting Older Younger" phenomenon. But then she thought about it for a while and she, too, said I couldn't not give the poor girl what she wanted for Christmas.
It sucks! In the end, I tracked down a Vanderbilt student that I had heard on the phone saying he was shopping for Angel Tree gifts. He thought I was insane, but I convinced him to buy the Bratz doll and I would buy one of his toys, and then we could trade back. It was the best compromise I could come up with, but I still feel sort of sick about the whole thing. What a pisser.
Hopefully, the little girl is happy with the gift.
Between this crisis of conscience and the fact that all Ella wants for Christmas is princess accessories of various sorts, I don't know what to do with myself. What is a grown-up tomboy to do?
In other news, remember how I told you about that hilarious show on WRVU, Best of Bread? Well, I finally found out who the main host is. It's
this guy. He's a stand-up comedian and also a member of the Alcohol Stuntband. I have to say that I was a little disappointed to see that he's a grown-up. Every time I listened, I was so proud that Vanderbilt was able to produce such hilariously awesome people as this guy and the co-host, his brother. Now pride hath gone before my fall. It's a bit of a bummer. Show's still hilarious, though.
Finally, I must comment on the recent email string amongst our group of friends. Dan reminded us all that we must get together outside of a wedding (he did forget to include Heather in the possible upcoming weddings list [Tyson and Jake]; wonder how she felt about that?). Brett then went on to let us know that, since Jake has moved to Washington, the center of gravity has shifted to somewhere West of the Mississippi. I can't believe that possible meeting places are now being determined by the whimsy of one Jake Vermaas! These are scary times, indeed!
Alrighty, then. Gotta run. I have to get serious about shopping for princess stuff. What Ella really wants is the princess throne, to the left. I am at a loss for words.
love, molly
photo via toysrus.comprevious post title source: "Johnny B. Goode," Chuck Berry
photo via usatoday.com
photo via mointhe9th.mlblogs.com
