Chicago Sun-Times: Politicians beat up on American Girl doll

[Tweed]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-doll02.html

"Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Chicago) Tuesday invited the president of the company that makes American Girl dolls to visit Pilsen after the firm angered some Hispanics by describing the neighborhood in a storybook as "dangerous.''

Meanwhile, Ald. Daniel Solis (25th) said he had set up a meeting for next week with a representative from Mattel, American Girl's parent company, to discuss what he said was "probably an unintended mistake.''

The Wisconsin-based American Girl rankled some when it set the back story of a new doll in Chicago. The storybook describes how a Mexican-American girl named Marisol Luna moves to suburban Des Plaines after her parents fear for her safety.

In the book, which accompanies the $84 doll, Marisol's parents tell her "It's time we get out of this neighborhood.'' Pilsen is not specifically named but the family is described as living across the street from Harrison Park at 18th and Damen."

[mr_hat]

1. So he's an expert on doll danger? How does he know

what dangers a doll faces?

[Withywindle]

2. Oh good lord.

On the one hand, I think this is kind of insulting to ALL city dwellers, not just Pilsen residents. And anybody remember that Tribune report a couple years back that said that random sudden death is actually more common in the suburbs? Suburban traffic kills more people than urban traffic and crime put together.


On the other hand, doesn't my Rep. have more important things to worry about?