In response to a one-man campaign (no apology for the gender specific language) by a young girl, McDonalds has promised to stop classifying its Happy Meals prizes as “boy” or “girl” toys. Formerly, the customer would often be asked, “Would you like a girl toy or a boy toy?” After Antonia Ayres-Brown, doubtless with the encouragement of her father, a Yale professor, challenged the policy beginning when she was 11 years old, McDonald’s “chief diversity officer,” has responded as follows: “It is McDonald’s intention and goal that each customer who desires a Happy Meal toy be provided the toy of his or her choice, without any classification of the toy as a ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ toy and without any reference to the customer’s gender. We have recently reexamined our internal guidelines, communications and practices and are making improvements to better ensure that our toys are distributed consistent with our policy” (“McDonald’s Trying to Stop Differentiating,” Consumerist.com, Apr. 21, 2014). Will every toy company bow to pressure from some activist and stop making gender specific toys? Will it become illegal to make, sell, and buy such toys just because it offends someone somewhere? “And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. ... As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths” (Isaiah 3:4-5, 12). (Friday Church News Notes, May 2, 2014, www.wayoflife.org [email protected], 866-295-4143) Comments are closed.
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