September 17, 2009
Okay, I am composed. But I can't promise I won't cry as I write!
Yesterday I opened the bags of our two teams' soccer jerseys to take out our kids' numbers before we gave them out to the rest of their teams, and I was stunned. I wasn't stunned that they were huge and their jerseys shouldn't be that big yet. While yes, it is quite shocking that Candan's shirt is adult small, and it's true I am not quite ready for him to be a small adult, I was shocked instead by what it said on the front. "Powered by Junk." in great big block letters.
Powered by Junk?
I pictured my precious children wearing shirts saying POWERED BY JUNK on them and I started getting tears in my eyes. I knew I couldn't cry, because I was on my way to Toastmasters and I had to keep it together. But the hour was as long as I could hold it back. I got in the car afterwards, and sobbed. Sobbed my ever-lovin' eyes out.
Powered by Junk is the slogan of the company 1-800-got-junk. I don't have a problem with that in itself. Thank you, 1-800-Got-Junk for your wonderful sponsorship! And I get it, cute, the soccer club is powered by their sponsorship, and how they get to play is by the company collecting junk. Yeah, ha ha.
But my soul aches deeply for all of our precious children who won't get the joke.
The world is so full of influence telling them they need more to be more, that they're not good enough, that they're unloved, or unlovable. That what they have inside is unworthy. The whole idea behind the soccer club is to foster self-esteem. Powered by Junk? Oh, my soul aches! What kids have inside of them, powering them, is not junk. Some parents even tell their children that they are junk. And so, we've just validated that.
What's more, is that "junk" is a street term for drugs (which I actually didn't know, but a teacher I had talked to told me so, but I guess it makes sense, because I do know the term "junkie") and schools and sports clubs are all trying to promote good nutrition, and not being powered by "junk" food, either. The slogan just doesn't work for me on many, many levels.
What kids have inside of them is precious and God-given and infinitely more valuable than they know, and even more than a lot of parents, or junk companies, or (fill in the blank) know too.
I went to the soccer office yesterday to mention that yes, while I do get that it is intended to be a joke, that it is at children's expense and that I don't find it funny, and she told me to explain the joke to my kids. So there I am last night, explaining the in's-and-out's of corporate sponsorship to my six-year old. Futility.
I have to say that I expressed my concern to Keelin's age group's soccer coordinator (who didn't pick the shirts!), and she was very understanding and saw exactly where I was coming from, which I really needed, thank you!
When I was a kid, I knew my parents loved me, but somehow it didn't matter. I thought they "had" to love me, or that they just were biased because they were my parents. I just didn't feel good enough. Or "anything" enough. It was much easier to believe the bad stuff about me. Put a JUNK label on me, and oh, I'd believe that, for sure. Things changed as I got older, and now I know that I am important and truly loved, and that God thought about creating me from before He created the world, and that His thoughts of me are constant and uncountable. I know that He has made me and knit me together. And that all the tears I cried yesterday are stored up in a bottle (well, and on my sleeve, too.) I know that He cares for me, and takes care of all my needs.
I want my children (and all the children on soccer fields everywhere!) to know that they are loved too, not just by their mom or their dad, but by the Creator of the universe, who created them from before the world began, and that their tears are stored up too. I want them to know that every breath they draw is a work of the grace and beauty of God. That God is involved in all they do throughout their days. That they are powered, not by junk, but by the Spirit of the living God.
Okay, that's it. I need a kleenex again.
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
1O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. 5You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Psalm 139:1-6 (read the whole psalm here... I had such a time picking verses, it's a beautiful psalm and an instant cure for insecurity!)
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8 post a comment:
Maybe your valued sponsor can rethink their slogan on behalf of wonderful, energetic, precious children. Negative marketing is not funny or effective. Good for you to shed your tears and take a stand.
I was reading your blog and wanted to share my thoughts and feelings. I own a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise in Canada and we are very proud of all the good we do with our business. When we look at 'junk', we don't see 'junk' at all - we see people's lives, their stories, their history, the beauty in all their memories and all that is good about each person.
When we recycle and donate the 'junk', we help families, children and all of God's loving souls who need a helping hand to move forward.
When you look at the children's jerseys and see 'powered by junk', perhaps you can see the good that our company does for the thousands of people we help every year. Your children are precious and I'm a mother so I definitely understand what you first thought of the jerseys. Perhaps knowing more about all the good we do for the people who have just lost a loved one and whose belongings we now take into our care to give to someone else to keep the cycle going, or the families who have suffered a major loss in a fire can move forward with new clothing and furniture because we've donated it to them from another family, or even yet, that we've made countless financial donations to a number of charities, perhaps these new facts can help you see that being powered by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s financial contribution isn't reflective whatsoever of the idea that our children are junk. Au contraire! Our children are powered by love, kindness, thoughfulness and compassion, and I believe our company has those same values and we show it daily by all that we do behind the scenes.
I wish you and your children all the best!
Pierrette
Pierrette, firstly, I am glad you found my blog! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and to respond in a comment!
I deeply appreciate 1-800-Got Junk's commitment to the community, and for all they do with youth sports, as I do know they are very active in sponsorship across Canada.
My issue is solely with the ambiguity of the wording on the shirts. On the front of the shirts, there is no mention of the company name. I think that that in itself does your company a disservice in that there's an opportunity missed in advertising there for the company. If somehow, the slogan had the company name incorporated onto it, or a picture of the signature truck, suggesting more that the truck is powered by junk, I am perfectly okay with that, and it would resolve a lot of issues related to the shirt. As it is printed, however, the message is mixed.
I know that 1-800-Got-Junk puts a lot of money and effort into promoting children's sports, which makes it all the more confusing as to why they would even remotely suggest a derogatory inference towards children and their intrinsic value, as this is contrary to the good work that you do.
Thanks again, and blessings to you!
Jen..you're so right. i am so glad you are standing up for what is right. yes...obviously their company does good but the wording certainly doesn't carry that philosophy along. So many kids today are looking to be accepted and to wear a logo with JuNK on it only sells them more short. I know the intent isn't there but that doesn't matter. Are we the junk/bad soccer team? the losers? these are questions i am sure some will be asking and other teams will be pointing out. kids can't discern or understand at this age what the meaning is at an adult's cognitive level. there are better names for teams....
all the best with this ...debbie de jong
Wow! Is this post for real?!? Do you have the same concerns with the egg farmer's "Get Crackin'" slogan?! Seriously now, maybe they're really trying to get kids into CRACK?!? Be careful, egg farmers, just like junk removal companies are known to be sneaky like that.
I find it laughable that this is an issue. Negativity is bread at home and it sounds like instead of protecting your children like you think you are, you are teaching them to look for the bad in the most innocent of things. Kids will not feel like junk, look like junk, smoke junk or be "junkies" because it's on their shirts! It's sad that such a community centered company who obviously put out a lot of money to provide this sponsorship will feel like they have to defend itself against their catchy campaign! It sounds like you don't get it. It's not a riddle. It's not a joke. It makes sense. Recycling? Heard of it? It's kind of a hot topic these days.
No wonder community volunteers and sponsors are so hard to find! When people stick their necks out to do good, there are always people like you ready with a knife to cut their throat. Sad!
I will be at the fields tomorrow to kick off what will be a great year of soccer. I'll be worried about my child having a great time and making new friends, instead of being dramatic and reading into a t-shirt logo because I never felt worthwhile as a child. Maybe go back and read your post...THAT right there is your issue and yours alone. Don't try and plaster fault for your insecurities on someone else.
Jewel
Hi Jewel, thanks for taking the time to comment. I find it sad and unfortunate that you find it necessary to attack me personally. I have nothing against the company and their sponsorship, which I have made myself clear on, I believe.
I actually have heard about recycling, as my husband works for a prominent recycling company here in town as well.
I simply have an issue with the design of the logo with its ambiguous message on the front. That's it.
As a teacher and a mother, I am keenly aware that kids are literal thinkers. The way the logo is written implies that kids are powered by junk. I have had to explain the jersey to several members of my team. Good logos need no explanation.
I think it's hilarious, your Get Crackin' example... now, if the Egg company had "Get Crack" without the egg picture, or their "brought to you by the egg farmers" beneath it, yeah, I might be writing a blog about that, too, or wonder what is actually inside those eggs! But their message is clear.
Jewel is indeed a jewel. You quite possibly need some serious psychotherapy. I remember as a kid we were sponsored by Wendy's and now I'm a fat redhead with pigtails who eats nothing but burgers and chili. Just kidding. Actually, I'm a successful career woman and mother who still plays soccer and who has no issues with my soccer sponsorship when I was a kid. Wow, I wonder what Jesus would do? Or better yet, what would the Flying Spaghetti Monster do? Bless his noodly appendage. Good luck with worrying about things that don't matter.
Tracy
Tracy, I am sorry you think that children's issues don't matter.
I deeply care what children think about themselves, and so does Jesus.
With that, I am closing the comments, because I think all that needs to be said has been.
Blessings,
Jen
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