During a recent lunch with my close friend we discussed gifts we purchased for our children. She mentioned that her daughter wanted one of those ever so exclusive “American Girl” dolls. So off to the American Girl store my friend went in search of a doll. To her disgust, the doll the sales person wanted her to buy was an escaped slave doll named “Addy”! THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!
The doll is an escaped slave girl who, along with her mother, are in search of her father. “Addy Walkers story starts as she and her mother are escaping slavery to find Addys father and brother, whove been sold away. But their escape means leaving Addys baby sister behindher cries could cost them their lives. Once Addy takes her freedom, can she re-unite her family?” This is so offensive I’m not sure where to begin.
Why would anyone think it would be entertaining to pretend to be an escaped slave? Slavery was a vile, cruel, inhumane, unjust holocaust of Black Americans. Generations of lives were lost in the slave trade. Why would this subject matter ever be considered entertaining for anyone much less a child? Its especially disturbing considering that there had to be many marketing and advertising executives who agreed that this was a great idea! Do you think the American Girl company would ever consider creating a Holocaust survivor doll? Just imagine the outrage from the Jewish community!
‘American Doll’ if you want a TRUE representation of an escaped slave, take off the beautiful dress, add some shackles and bruises from the slave master. Don’t glorify slavery and try to sell it to my child as recreational activity!
I need your help. We need to speak up, stand up and shut down the racist, offensive, insensitive marketing of this escaped slave doll Addy!!!!! I am personally boycotting this company and I’m asking you to do the same and to also tell someone, to tell someone to tell someone.
Additionally, either call the company, write the company and/or sign my petition at change.org….
American Girl:
608-836-4848
- MAIL:
- Public Relations
- American Girl
- 8400 Fairway Place
- Middleton, WI 53562
