Support what you believe in.
In the last month, I’ve seen two major chain department stores sending shameful and demeaning messages to young women.
- Forever 21 was advertising a shirt with the caption, “Allergic to Algebra”.
- JC Penny had a shirt with the caption, “I’m too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me.”
I thought we had moved out of the dark ages! If anyone has been wondering why it’s such an uphill battle to get and keep girls interested in engineering, computer and technology fields, you now have part of your answer.
Diane Matt, the Executive Director and CEO of the Women in Engineering Proactive Network (WEPAN), in a letter to Forever 21, put it succinctly. She said, “The message on your shirt is damaging to young women who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Today only 18% of U.S. engineering students are women—compared to many other fields where women make up 50% or more of the students.
Our country needs diversity in science and engineering fields. Mathematics is a gateway to these careers and today young men and young women take advanced placement mathematics in equal numbers in the United States. “Allergic to Algebra” perpetuates an outmoded, incorrect stereotype that is damaging to women—your customers and our students.
I respectfully request expeditious removal and destruction of this item.”
To the best of my knowledge, because of letters like this and complaints from people all over the world, both shirts have been removed from inventory.
Remember that you have choices where you shop and you also have a voice. In this age of social networking, it's easier than ever to let a big chain store know how you feel. If we ever hope to change this type of advertising and thinking, you have to do something when you see the wrong message. Write a letter, join in the conversation or movement on Facebook, don’t support companies that don’t care, and in the case of these shirts, talk to the girls in your life about the misguided message. The important thing is that you do something.
