Letter About Brawny Paper Towels

Georgia -Pacific Consumer Products
133 Peachtree St., N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303

To Whom It May Concern:

I have never written a letter like this in my life, so please forgive me if I don't follow standard procedure in addressing my complaint. I'm not even sure there is a standard procedure. Recently, I completed a series of Tony Robbins tapes, and have, for the first time in my life, found "my voice". Therefore, as Tony encouraged me, I am giving voice to several of my complaints. This voice is my "consumer voice".

Women in our society have struggled for years for equality with men. I personally think that Pocohontas is largely responsible for most of the problems inherent in my sisters' struggle. But that's a matter reserved for my "culture voice". On to the matter at hand. I was reading my monthly issue of The Homemaker, which my husband got for me as my "big" Christmas present this year. I was thrilled to dig right in and learn tips on organization, new recipes, how to be a good PTA mom, and different sewing patterns for more mom-friendly clothing.

I saw in February's issue your advertisement for your paper towels. I consider myself as rather astute in terms of advertising. It's always been a hobby of mine to follow ad campaigns, and I enjoy being the first at quilting class to know the totally rad trends of our day. I noticed your desire to promote your towels as being "tough" - just like the guy on your ad. He's a BRAWNY man, right? On the surface, I'm sure most people would get your "surface" message: Brawny paper towels are tough. Some may even say, "Isn't it great that Brawny is bringing the man into the kitchen," thereby equalizing the responsibilities of the home and causing people to infer that Brawny is interested in women's equality. I see your real meaning, however, and I just want you to know that I am not fooled. I won't be a puppet for your oppression of women. The REAL message (just in case you think I'm bluffing) is as follows: Brawny shows a supposedly tough lumberjack-like guy. Anyone with a set of eyes and a knowledge of 70s pop culture knows you've modeled your guy after the construction worker in the group The Village People. You're subliminally communicating that any "man" who actually has anything to do with the kitchen is only a man who really wants to be a woman. Therefore, you are saying that, no matter which way you go, it is WOMEN or women wanna-be's who are fit for household chores. By relegating us to this life of service and subjection to the men in our lives, you are, for one, frustrating all women while simultaneously exciting the construction worker look-alike.

I don't expect an apology or reparations, or anything else. If your parent company happens to give out free recipe organizers, scrapbooking ideas, etc. feel free to pass them on - but mainly, I just wanted to give expression to my new found voice.

Sincerely,

Sara Stone

P.S. Any further communication you may choose to have with me, I would ask you to address is to my husband (Wendell) as he screens all of my mail to protect me from seeing anything that might scare me or hurt me.