The Beneficence of David French
By A couple of Thursday links…
- Thers does a great job of pointing out the authoritarianism lurking beneath David French’s act of charity. But I think there’s a lot more going on here. Or, rather, much less going on here. In other words, this seems to be merely a new way of saying the same old thing wingnuts like to say. That is that since poverty is a problem that won’t be solved with a quick, easy fix (in many cases) that we shouldn’t do anything at all to try and fix it. I mean, really, if David French can’t adopt you and give you gruel when you’re being good, is it really wise to help you at all? David French thinks “no.” So, really, I think this goes beyond authoritarianism and well into sociopathy.
- GoldieBlox is a company that is encouraging building and engineering play in girls. Neat! But it’s not all good news. A lot commenters have decided that because some of the pieces-parts are pink and there’s ribbon involved that it’s time to scrap the whole thing and also why do we have to worry about this stuff anyway omg can’t we just let girls be girls? Seriously, don’t read the comments if your sanity–or what’s left of it– is something you value.
I lose my temper…
Bethany Spencer commented on a link.
These comments are so astute. Yes. If someone who has good intentions tries to do something new and doesn’t get it exactly right the first time, she should scrap it and forget it. *eyeroll* “But, but the skirts are pink! The toys are purple!” Jesus Christ…talk about missing the big picture.
The commercial’s cool. If you don’t think so, you’re probably an idiot.
Also, it’s possible to like both “girly” things and things are not demonstrably girly. The idea that girls must give up tutus and pink in order to play with toys that encourage engineering play is irretrievably stupid.
The idea is good and well-intentioned. So is the ad. End of story. Debate over.