I Did It

And let me tell you, I was shaking!  What am I talking about?  Well, my sister posted on her blog and sent out an email asking all of us to take a stand against a MAJOR problem infiltrating our world.  Heidi, I hope you don't mind I'm copying this from your blog:

"I have been struck by how easy it is to DO THIS to help your community stay "clean", no matter where you live. All you've gotta do is open your mouth.


Sorry for such an ugly subject, but have you noticed the current Sports Illustrated issue? The cover is a half-naked woman, and I'm not talking the swimsuit edition. Nate and I have successfully been able to get them off the shelves at Malama, Foodland Wahiawa and Foodland Pupukea. I'm not sure if this publication is still running, but more "traditional" magazines are using porn on their covers.

Next time you're grocery shopping or in any store that has magazines, if you see an inappropriate magazine cover, ask to see the manager. What I have done is, while showing the manager the cover, I say, "I am surprised that a store like this would carry porn." Usually that's all you have to say. If they start giving excuses, you can say, "For the sake of the children, and all your other customers, will you please have this removed from your shelves?" Usually, that's it. Then I wait to see that the magazine is actually removed.

And you know what we've found? Usually the manager is apologetic and grateful that you've brought it up and they remove the magazines immediately.

When you have success stories, I'd love to hear about it! If you have friends or family that could help "clean up" the publicly displayed magazine racks, please ask them to do the same! Feel free to copy and paste this onto your blog, etc to help more people get involved!"

Well, the other day, we were at Walmart and I was in line and saw all these magazines and I thought, "Hmm, I would LOVE to stand up for morality, but I've never come across that SI issue (thank goodness) so I haven't had the opportunity."  Then, two minutes later, I'm staring at my cashier talking to her and suddenly become very aware that right behind her head are 2 sections with that SI issue, right there!  I couldn't even talk to her without seeing them.  And no, Heidi, it is not a HALF naked girl, she is truly bare!  I don't care what her arms may be covering.  Anyway, I was SHOCKED and knew I had to act.

So I asked for a manager.  Not there.  So I asked for the assistant manager.  He came over and I said exactly what Heidi suggested.  He went to find out what they could do and told me that they had to call their supplier to have them pull them from the shelves but then also told me to call 1-800-WALMART to complain.  I have to do that still.  But he did say, "You are probably bringing something up that a lot of other people are offended by too and haven't said anything about.  It is probably something the entire company would be concerned about, so please call."  Believe me, I will.

I was nervous to bring it up, but I am also mortified that people are becoming so calloused and accepting of smuck.  It is disgusting and I was very aware that my children could see that magazine, let alone my husband.  Let alone myself!  I don't want to see it, even just talking to my cashier. 

So, may I beg you too to take a stand, open your mouth, have courage, and do everything you can to root out the evil around you.  Be bold and you will be surprised how many people agree with you but just don't have the courage to stand up and be heard.