Speaking out about doll’s message

Thank you for your article “Local shopper questions doll’s religious message” published in the Dec. 5 Frontiersman. On that same date, my husband and I went to Target in Wasilla and can verify the doll called “Little Mommy Real Loving Cuddle & Coo” says the phrase “Islam is the light.” The toy is distributed by Fisher-Price and is made by Mattel. We listened to two dolls.

Each doll’s recorded message said “Mama” in the first phrase. The second phrase is all baby gibberish. At the end of the third phrase, one doll’s recorded message clearly says “Islam is the Light.” The second doll’s recorded message was only slightly more indiscernible, but also clearly said “Islam is the Light.”

We complained to the store manager and were shown a statement from Target’s corporate office in which the company denies that the doll says anything other than “Mama.” This is blatantly misleading, and we definitely heard the recorded words “Islam is the light” coming from those dolls.

We were told if there were a conspiracy, Target wouldn’t have Merry Christmas signs above the entry area. We didn’t point out that those signs are there because one year ago people boycotted Target for eliminating the word “Christmas” from its advertising.

This is clearly a violation of rights to privacy and disclosure, with subliminal messages being directed at unsuspecting parents and minor children from age 2 years and up.

We were offended that this doll’s phrases are not clearly marked on the package. There were no other religious-speaking dolls on the shelves representing Christianity, the Jewish faith or even a non-religious Cuddle & Coo doll.

We urge everyone to join many other parents who have filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. These unsolicited phrases are offensive to many. We urge you to also file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency regarding the unwanted messages spoken by these dolls.

(A recording of the doll from the Wasilla Target store can be found at www.frontiersman.com).

We applaud Michael Rovito for the article and the Frontiersman for publishing the story. Parents deserve a heads up so they are aware when purchasing toys with voice or musical content with subliminal messages in those toys.

Irene Bogue

Palmer