i had thoughts the past couple of weeks about the whole kellogs and autism speaks campaign and i thought about maybe putting buisness card sized ads for autistic freedom against autism speaks, next to the box, not defaming the box in any way, like in some stores.
only reason i ask is i'm not 100% sure this is legal, i think it is, i'm not touching the box, just putting something next to the box. the only thing i can think of possibly viotating is solication.
i just wanted to make sure before going forward.
i had thoughts the past couple of weeks about the whole kellogs and autism speaks campaign and i thought about maybe putting buisness card sized ads for autistic freedom against autism speaks, next to the box, not defaming the box in any way, like in some stores.
only reason i ask is i'm not 100% sure this is legal, i think it is, i'm not touching the box, just putting something next to the box. the only thing i can think of possibly viotating is solication.
i just wanted to make sure before going forward.
You will need permission from the store, since the box is sold on their private property, and any display next to the box will likewise be on their private property.
DW_a_mom is correct - you would need permission from the store as it is on their private property. Theoretically you could place the card there and wait to be told to remove it but I am unsure on the legal specifics.
There are plenty of public places one can make such statements, there is no need to violate property rights here.
Autistics need to contact Kelloggs and tell them about the other side to this campaign. Some uneducated idiot has probably thought, "ooh, autism, yeah that's a good cause," and that's all the thought that's gone into it.
We need to write to Kelloggs and educate them on the realities here.
I should not have said anything in previous versions of this post (not the one above, this particular one). I apologize to those who saw it.
I don't think it should be automatically assumed that all store owners would be opposed to the idea of an informational display to contradict Autism Speaks. You won't know until you ask. When you display with permission it won't be cleaned up the next time an employee is in the aisle, and will reach a lot more people.
Edit-
Realizing that the asking part may be difficult for many of you, I suggest you write a nice letter explaining your position, and hand that to a manager along with a sample of what you want displayed. You are free to hand it over then run, lol - if that is how you need to do it. People like to think these things over in their own time in their own way, anyway. They will appreciate having a letter to look over quietly. But, don't just mail it - mail gets tossed. I do think they need to see your face to take you seriously. They simply need to understand on a tangible level that there is a real person behind the request.
Then, a small store with local owners setting the rules is going to be a better bet than a chain. The manager at a chain may feel bound by the chain's national image; a local store will have more freedom.
As well as writing to Kellogg's, it might also be worth contacting the large chains who stock Kellogg's products. They can put pressure on Kellogg's if they disagree with their marketing campaign. I'm not saying it's likely, but if you contact enough people at the top level of the company, you are going to come across someone who has an autistic relative.
I'm all for the idea of sticking pro-autism messages in stores next to Kellogg's. The only problem is that they probably won't last very long before the store guards remove them. On being nice and asking the managers first - oh *please*. Of course, they'll say no. They've no reason to accomodate us. We should go ahead and do this kind of thing anyway. Frankly I have no time for people who insist on this "we musn't break the rules" bilge. What do people think Rosa Parks was doing when she sat in the front row of that bus back in 1956? Or the suffragetes when they slashed paintings in the National Gallery?
Why don't people stick leaflets inside books on autism in stores and public libraries? Those books will likely be picked up by people who have a direct interest in the subject and are more likely to read the leaflet. Whereas sticking it in a packet of cornflakes will likely result in most of them getting thrown away.
I just looked at the cereal display where I shop, and the Rice Krispies boxes don't have the Autism Speaks messages. Does anyone know if this was the intended date to remove them, or if our letter-writing campaign might have had some effect on Kellogg?
It's also possible that it was old stock
I'm all for the idea of sticking pro-autism messages in stores next to Kellogg's. The only problem is that they probably won't last very long before the store guards remove them. On being nice and asking the managers first - oh *please*. Of course, they'll say no. They've no reason to accomodate us. We should go ahead and do this kind of thing anyway. Frankly I have no time for people who insist on this "we musn't break the rules" bilge. What do people think Rosa Parks was doing when she sat in the front row of that bus back in 1956? Or the suffragetes when they slashed paintings in the National Gallery?
Why don't people stick leaflets inside books on autism in stores and public libraries? Those books will likely be picked up by people who have a direct interest in the subject and are more likely to read the leaflet. Whereas sticking it in a packet of cornflakes will likely result in most of them getting thrown away.
Well, actually, Rosa Parks never meant to be a revolutionary. She was just tired (I love reading her interviews; the greatest things can start from the smallest circumstances). And slashing paintings ... hadn't heard of that, but I doubt it was necessary.
Things CAN be accomplished inside the rules. Not ALL things, of course, but to give up on the system before you've tried? From my point of view, it's foolish and can easily end up counterproductive.
We're not talking about a law that defines you as a second class citizen .... at the moment, and hopefully never. We are talking about how best to affect public perception. That is completely different.
I like the leaflets in autism books, idea, though. By far better targeted than cereal boxes.
My dear DW_a mom, I am a Trotskyite. Believe me I gave up on the system a looooooong time ago!
When I wrote to the Kellogg Company, I wanted them to realize that "Autism Speaks" is truly not speaking for autistics at all. I told them they are in fact putting all of their funds towards the elimination of my future grandchildren great-grandchildren and other family members.
I told them that Autism Speaks, does not "speak" for me, or my family or for many many other autistics and their families and that the autistics I know will not be buying products from any company that, along with autism speaks, promotes our elimination (I can't remember my exact words, sorry).
I like to use NT-corporate-speak as much as possible when talking with businesses - With them, it's all about the Money...they hate the thought that not only will I be taking my money elsewhere, but so will hundreds (perhaps thousands) of others will be doing the same....loss of business makes them sweat (at least I like to believe it does). Here was their reply to me;
Dear Ms. Shepard:
Thank you for your comments regarding the Autism Speaks sponsorship. We appreciate hearing your views. We do take your comments and position seriously and please know we have forwarded your comments directly to the appropriate parties.
Kellogg Company tries to be very selective in the causes we sponsor and
every effort is made to be a responsible leader in the industry. Our
Kellogg heritage is to support programs for children with different needs
and this program met the criteria. This is a one-time free printing
sponsorship and does not involve monetary support. But we do understand since you oppose the mission of the organization, that any support is upsetting. However, it was our intent to help persons understand autism and realize it is more common than many people think. We apologize if we are missing that goal.
Please be assured that as a company working to maintain the good
reputation we have with our consumers, we do not wish to have our name and products associated with any negative meanings. We assure you that this information will help us in the selection of future sponsorship.
Sincerely,
Yesenia Sanchez
Consumer Affairs Department
4YSX/cl
011435356A
Kellogg North America
PO Box CAMB
Battle Creek, MI 49016-1986
I believe that the lines of communication just may be open if someone would like to write to Kellogg and request equal time to bring to the public, the "real side" of autism....you know, The Truth that Autism Speaks seems to like to leave out of the picture.
- Patti Shepard -
have you considered place a flier at a community bultien board like in supermarket's or park's that way it's legal :grin: