@@ “Back the blue” fundraiser

[isabel]

I need some advice about how to approach this.

I got an email today about a “back the blue” fundraiser from our elementary school. They are selling stuffed dogs to raise funds for police K9s. The dogs have thin blue line flag tags. I take issue with the fundraiser at all, but especially the name of the non-profit and the imagery on the dog tag.

I’m having a hard time crafting an email that doesn’t make me sound unhinged. Lol Anyone have suggested wording for how to respond to our principal on this?

[shauni27]

ohhhhh boy. That is tough; I would take issue as well, but I am terrible at wording things, however, I would send a letter to the school to let them know how icky it feels.

ETA for clarity--I would be pissed, I would suck at writing the letter, so I would get help crafting it as well. However, I fully think you do need to say something. The school should not be doing a fundraiser for the police, especially using imagery and language that is so polarizing and literally harmful to entire groups of people.

[Deleted]

So, they’re fundraising for an actual publicly funded entity? Or for a private organization that supports police (like a benevolent fund or booster fund)? If it’s the former, I’d be very surprised if that’s even legal. It’s for sure not legal for federal organizations…,

ETA: it’s obviously awful even if it is legal, but it’s easier to get people to stop doing illegal things than it is to get them to stop doing awful things.

[NewOrleans]

They seriously couldn’t support homeless animals instead of weaponized dogs? 😒
Besides the usual ruckus and chain of command contacting, I would stage a counter fundraiser for the local animal shelter if they won’t change it

Anyway, you asked for wording. “Dear so and so, Context…. You may or may not know that this symbol and phrase are unfortunately weaponized and associated with anti-BLM and racist sentiments. See (XYZ sources and images). My specific ask is XYZ modification to the fundraiser.” (My vote is for changing the recipient of the funds)

[shauni27]

Dec 1, 2022 13:59:29 GMT -5 @villainv said:

So, they’re fundraising for an actual publicly funded entity? Or for a private organization that supports police (like a benevolent fund or booster fund)? If it’s the former, I’d be very surprised if that’s even legal. It’s for sure not legal for federal organizations…,

ETA: it’s obviously awful even if it is legal, but it’s easier to get people to stop doing illegal things than it is to get them to stop doing awful things.

That's true, and I forgot about that. I seem to recall that it is illegal to fundraise for the police.

[krystee]

Here’s a link to an article where an actual police chief banned the thin blue line imagery in the department and said it had racist connotations, if that helps: www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1256217

[isabel]

Dec 1, 2022 13:59:29 GMT -5 @villainv said:

So, they’re fundraising for an actual publicly funded entity? Or for a private organization that supports police (like a benevolent fund or booster fund)? If it’s the former, I’d be very surprised if that’s even legal. It’s for sure not legal for federal organizations…,

ETA: it’s obviously awful even if it is legal, but it’s easier to get people to stop doing illegal things than it is to get them to stop doing awful things.

The proceeds go to “Back the Blue K9 Force,” a non-profit. Does that means it’s illegal?

[Deleted]

Dec 1, 2022 15:58:48 GMT -5 isabel said:

Dec 1, 2022 13:59:29 GMT -5 @villainv said:

So, they’re fundraising for an actual publicly funded entity? Or for a private organization that supports police (like a benevolent fund or booster fund)? If it’s the former, I’d be very surprised if that’s even legal. It’s for sure not legal for federal organizations…,

ETA: it’s obviously awful even if it is legal, but it’s easier to get people to stop doing illegal things than it is to get them to stop doing awful things.

The proceeds go to “Back the Blue K9 Force,” a non-profit. Does that means it’s illegal?

If it’s a non-profit, then it’s almost certainly legal. But I completely agree that it’s not an appropriate charity for a school fundraiser.

Can’t the school just raise funds for its own PTA? I’m completely flummoxed by schools that apparently have all the funding they could possibly need, so instead of having to raise funds for school activities, they instead raise funds for pregnancy crisis centers (I think that was a previous example from another poster) or police-related non-profits that use racist imagery.

[isabel]

Dec 1, 2022 16:37:47 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Dec 1, 2022 15:58:48 GMT -5 isabel said:

The proceeds go to “Back the Blue K9 Force,” a non-profit. Does that means it’s illegal?

If it’s a non-profit, then it’s almost certainly legal. But I completely agree that it’s not an appropriate charity for a school fundraiser.

Can’t the school just raise funds for its own PTA? I’m completely flummoxed by schools that apparently have all the funding they could possibly need, so instead of having to raise funds for school activities, they instead raise funds for pregnancy crisis centers (I think that was a previous example from another poster) or police-related non-profits that use racist imagery.

Our school has more funding than it needs. What pisses me off is why they don’t fundraise to provide money to underfunded schools in our district.

I’m baffled by this. I will be writing a strongly worded email this afternoon and have pulled up the school’s mission statement to point out that this is in opposition to what we supposedly stand for.

[Deleted]

Dec 1, 2022 17:48:55 GMT -5 isabel said:

Dec 1, 2022 16:37:47 GMT -5 @villainv said:

If it’s a non-profit, then it’s almost certainly legal. But I completely agree that it’s not an appropriate charity for a school fundraiser.

Can’t the school just raise funds for its own PTA? I’m completely flummoxed by schools that apparently have all the funding they could possibly need, so instead of having to raise funds for school activities, they instead raise funds for pregnancy crisis centers (I think that was a previous example from another poster) or police-related non-profits that use racist imagery.

Our school has more funding than it needs. What pisses me off is why they don’t fundraise to provide money to underfunded schools in our district.

I’m baffled by this. I will be writing a strongly worded email this afternoon and have pulled up the school’s mission statement to point out that this is in opposition to what we supposedly stand for.

It's the holidays. Why not fundraise to adopt families and provide them with gifts and holiday meals? That would resonate so much with kids. 

ETA - I would be just as pissed as you. I didn't mean for that to come across like this was your idea.

[isabel]

Thoughts on this?

Principal,

I am writing to express my concern with this fundraiser.

The term “back the blue” and the thin blue line dog tag on the plush are both synonymous with racist sentiments in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests related to police brutality against people of color. This article describes the history of the flag and how it came to be associated with white supremacy: www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/09/the-short-fraught-history-of-the-thin-blue-line-american-flag-309767

Our school’s mission statement states that we are “dedicated to creating an environment where all students and staff can thrive.” Given the meaning of this imagery to so many in this country, I can only imagine that there are families in our school who feel the promotion of this fundraiser creates an environment where their children are not safe. We cannot expects students to thrive when the leadership of their school condones symbols that are used routinely to counter movements focused on diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the school is named for a Black woman who was discriminated against because of her race. Of all the fundraisers we can promote, this one sends entirely the wrong message to vulnerable students in our predominately white school.

We took a stance not to promote Halloween and winter holidays to ensure inclusivity. In that same vein, I sincerely hope you will reconsider the school’s promotion of this fundraiser and avoid supporting similar groups in the future. There are so many wonderful organizations that support our community without delving into controversial imagery and discrimination.

I appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,
Isabel

[Deleted]

[mention]Isab [/mention] I think that’s great. Maybe you could suggest alternative organizations to raise money for (ie: underfunded school in your district, local animal shelter, local food pantry, etc). If you want to go that direction, I’d recommend naming specific organizations.

[seeyalater52]

Dec 1, 2022 19:10:02 GMT -5 @villainv said:

[mention]Isab [/mention] I think that’s great. Maybe you could suggest alternative organizations to raise money for (ie: underfunded school in your district, local animal shelter, local food pantry, etc). If you want to go that direction, I’d recommend naming specific organizations.

I agree with this and also think your letter draft looks great isabel. What the actual fuck though.

[erbear]

I assume “dear school — what the fuck?” Isn’t an option for you?

[isabel]

Dec 1, 2022 19:19:51 GMT -5 erbear said:

I assume “dear school — what the fuck?” Isn’t an option for you?

Feels counterproductive. Lol

[isabel]

Dec 1, 2022 19:10:02 GMT -5 @villainv said:

[mention]Isab [/mention] I think that’s great. Maybe you could suggest alternative organizations to raise money for (ie: underfunded school in your district, local animal shelter, local food pantry, etc). If you want to go that direction, I’d recommend naming specific organizations.

Good idea. Will do!

[isabel]

Thanks all for your feedback. I sent the email. I will update if I get a response.

[erbear]

In all seriousness, your email is great and I hope you get the response you should.

[W.T.Faulkner]

I’m glad you’re sending it. That fundraiser would literally cause large-scale protests where I work, and rightfully so.

I like your suggestion of fundraising for the schools with less in your district. Ask their teachers for their supply wishlist and raise funds for that. It would make a huge difference.

[maudefindlay]

Well done, I hope you get a positive response.

[cap]

That's a great email and I hope the school responds appropriately.

[shauni27]

great email, isabel! Please report back when you get a response!

[Jalapeñomel]

I'm dying to hear the follow up!

[lo]

The thought of asking a public school to fundraise for the police is just INSANE to me. So glad you wrote a letter.

My kids’ school organized a fall field trip to a local farm that’s infamous for discriminating against gay people. I told the school we wouldn’t attend and why and the field trip was canceled. I’m assuming other families also contacted them about it.

[Poeticxpassion]

isabel, did the principal ever respond?

[isabel]

Dec 3, 2022 13:39:26 GMT -5 Poeticxpassion said:

isabel , did the principal ever respond?

She emailed me back and said "Thank you for your feedback. Our steering committee will discuss this before we offer it again."

I responded "Thank you for your response and consideration. I would appreciate a follow-up after the steering committee has discussed and made a decision. While I'm sure this was done with good intent, I hope you and the committee can appreciate how controversial something like this is and how unnecessary it is for the school to promote an organization like this."

I'll update again if I hear back from her. I will likely follow-up in a few weeks if I haven't heard from her.

[claudiajean]

Dec 3, 2022 21:00:27 GMT -5 isabel said:

Dec 3, 2022 13:39:26 GMT -5 Poeticxpassion said:

isabel , did the principal ever respond?

She emailed me back and said "Thank you for your feedback. Our steering committee will discuss this before we offer it again."

I responded "Thank you for your response and consideration. I would appreciate a follow-up after the steering committee has discussed and made a decision. While I'm sure this was done with good intent, I hope you and the committee can appreciate how controversial something like this is and how unnecessary it is for the school to promote an organization like this."

I'll update again if I hear back from her. I will likely follow-up in a few weeks if I haven't heard from her.

Does that mean they’re going ahead with this year’s but will reevaluate before doing future years?

[Captain Catnip]

Dec 3, 2022 22:27:01 GMT -5 claudiajean said:

Dec 3, 2022 21:00:27 GMT -5 isabel said:

She emailed me back and said "Thank you for your feedback. Our steering committee will discuss this before we offer it again."

I responded "Thank you for your response and consideration. I would appreciate a follow-up after the steering committee has discussed and made a decision. While I'm sure this was done with good intent, I hope you and the committee can appreciate how controversial something like this is and how unnecessary it is for the school to promote an organization like this."

I'll update again if I hear back from her. I will likely follow-up in a few weeks if I haven't heard from her.

Does that mean they’re going ahead with this year’s but will reevaluate before doing future years?

That's how I read it, too.

[AAM2012]

Dec 4, 2022 0:41:43 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Dec 3, 2022 22:27:01 GMT -5 claudiajean said:

Does that mean they’re going ahead with this year’s but will reevaluate before doing future years?

That's how I read it, too.

Same

I would ask that they meet to discuss now vs before next time…when they’ve forgotten about your email.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Dec 4, 2022 9:00:23 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Dec 4, 2022 0:41:43 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

That's how I read it, too.

Same

I would ask that they meet to discuss now vs before next time…when they’ve forgotten about your email.

Yeah, I agree. She has no intention of bringing this up to the steering committee and hopes she appeased you enough to shut you up.