It’s a shame the cynics who invented the “war on Christmas” think they have to keep finding new targets. They could let it go if they were willing to embrace the spirit of the season.
The trick when dealing with this nonsense is to deny your gut-desire to defend and explain the position, but that is a fight you can't win. What you can do is say: So what? Are you being forced to buy this? Then let the free market decide.
You gotta turn it into one of their principles. Free market. Free speech. Who should ban this?
And also: aren't you a happy person that this is the shit you get upset about?
My son is medically complex and, as a result, I am part of several online support groups which include wheelchair users. The instant these ornaments (and the ones depicting a boy and a mouse in a wheelchair) came onto Target shelves, families in the support groups were buying every ond they could find. Some will likely end up on their personal/ family trees, but others were being sent off to hospitals for use on their trees, therapy centers, and doctors' offices. Some people were even volunteering to ship them to group members who wanted one, but couldn't afford one as "Secret Santas."
Yes, Target is probably profiting- if not from the actual ornaments, then from the increase in revenue from families who shop there BECAUSE they feel "seen" due to things like this or advertising that includes differently abled kids with wheelchairs, walkers, braces, limb differences, Trisomy 21, etc. Target is a corporation and catering to the customer to increase revenue is what they are supposed to do as such. That's not a bad thing when it includes people who normally feel a little (or a lot) "othered." You'd be surprised how much the phrase "representation matters" comes up in groups supporting medically complex kids, disabled or differently abled kids, or their families!
But hey, the upside of capitalism in a "free country" is that you can essentially vote with your dollar. If a rainbow nutcracker or a Santa in a wheelchair or a black Santa hurts your sensibilities, don't buy them. There were two s of ornaments depicting the same characters that were not in wheelchairs in the display too. Or pick a different store to shop at.
The nutcrackers are sold out online (and heavily marked up on ebay) but our local target still has a few in stock-- we'll be getting one, along with a bunch of other purchases. Voting with that dollar.
It’s a shame the cynics who invented the “war on Christmas” think they have to keep finding new targets. They could let it go if they were willing to embrace the spirit of the season.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a wheelchair and my grandson got me the Santa because it reminded him of me.
ReplyDeleteThe trick when dealing with this nonsense is to deny your gut-desire to defend and explain the position, but that is a fight you can't win. What you can do is say: So what? Are you being forced to buy this? Then let the free market decide.
ReplyDeleteYou gotta turn it into one of their principles. Free market. Free speech. Who should ban this?
And also: aren't you a happy person that this is the shit you get upset about?
My son is medically complex and, as a result, I am part of several online support groups which include wheelchair users. The instant these ornaments (and the ones depicting a boy and a mouse in a wheelchair) came onto Target shelves, families in the support groups were buying every ond they could find. Some will likely end up on their personal/ family trees, but others were being sent off to hospitals for use on their trees, therapy centers, and doctors' offices. Some people were even volunteering to ship them to group members who wanted one, but couldn't afford one as "Secret Santas."
ReplyDeleteYes, Target is probably profiting- if not from the actual ornaments, then from the increase in revenue from families who shop there BECAUSE they feel "seen" due to things like this or advertising that includes differently abled kids with wheelchairs, walkers, braces, limb differences, Trisomy 21, etc. Target is a corporation and catering to the customer to increase revenue is what they are supposed to do as such. That's not a bad thing when it includes people who normally feel a little (or a lot) "othered." You'd be surprised how much the phrase "representation matters" comes up in groups supporting medically complex kids, disabled or differently abled kids, or their families!
But hey, the upside of capitalism in a "free country" is that you can essentially vote with your dollar. If a rainbow nutcracker or a Santa in a wheelchair or a black Santa hurts your sensibilities, don't buy them. There were two s of ornaments depicting the same characters that were not in wheelchairs in the display too. Or pick a different store to shop at.
The problem isn't the toys, it's FOX News attempts of using the toys as political weaponry.
ReplyDeleteAt least a Black Santa is historically accurate.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/12/23/black-santas-have-long-contested-history-us/
Deletehttps://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38231159
Lots more info via keyword searches. Perhaps a blogworthy topic.
Ornament
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/The-Bridge-Collection-H5645-Wheelchair/dp/B0BGY58L8T/ref=asc_df_B0BGY58L8T/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=626899752678&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9089870196229156467&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1018679&hvtargid=pla-1877687470793&psc=1&mcid=cd69a3fc1a8833a180bef4551f93df33&gclid=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHifHv2eqtX1MRrTecdvAxBynZKsNgHJiSlFFkyf2SpC1oEKwyjbLeLRoCLI4QAvD_BwE
The nutcrackers are sold out online (and heavily marked up on ebay) but our local target still has a few in stock-- we'll be getting one, along with a bunch of other purchases. Voting with that dollar.
ReplyDelete