Comments on: The Great Subway Contest Crisis of 2008

By: Principled Discovery » What can homeschooling learn from the political divide?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:34:56 +0000

[...] that we do our own cause a disservice when we march on the public with the same sort of passion that we march on the capitol. That nothing is gained by boxing those [...]

By: Dana Hanley

Dana Hanley — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:19:38 +0000

Yes…but all contests discriminate. From a PR standpoint, this was stupid of Subway. Not just because of the reaction that I think is over-the-top, but what they wanted was a flyer sent home to every elementary kid in America with their logo on it. Little kids assigned to write about their sandwiches. A sort of viral marketing campaign directed at children with good feelings attached. And how much more of that could they have generated by sending a notice to a few homeschool organizations as well?

By: Kristina

Kristina — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:08:18 +0000

Well, it IS discrimination. But, I believe that a private company has a right to discriminate. So… I can’t complain when the discrimination is against me.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:45:20 +0000

From a PR standpoint, it might also be equally as wise for homeschoolers to tread a little more carefully into the way in which we demand recognition.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:43:51 +0000

Doc, I agree. And the more I think about it, the more annoyed I am at the demand for the ability to donate this equipment to a homeschooling group. I don’t want to be a part of a special interest group, competing with other groups for resources and attention, which is what this sort of action pushes us toward. I just want to be left to do my thing.

Sunniemom, I realized that looking through some of the commments. But how is that? Civil liberties is a matter between the state and the population, not privately held corporations and private citizens. If we are talking about fundamental rights, Subway has the right to do with its property as it sees fit. Of course, we all have the right to not eat there, but I think it is a little far-fetched to say that Subway has trounced on anyone’s rights by giving athletic equipment to a traditional school.

Every contest discriminates on some basis, depending on the corner of the market the business is looking to expand into. Would it be wise from a PR standpoint for Subway to consider homeschoolers? Sure. But it is hardly an issue of rights.

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:17 +0000

Good grief. It simply isn’t reasonable to think Subway/Scholastic can change the rules mid stream, (although that’s exactly what the HSBA’s did last year, even though the “moderator(s)” keep denying that, saying they were simply “clarifying” the rules) and it isn’t reasonable to think Subway could make rules that would satisfy all homeschoolers. Our diversity presents a unique situation where we are all, every single one of us, schooling under different conditions, under different laws, and for different purposes. In my case, if one of my children were to enter and win, there is literally nobody to donate it to. Do you think we’re in a unique position? No. Not only are we independent from government schooling, we are independent from each other. Our way of life doesn’t set itself up to “participate” simply because we’re told we can’t - we do as we choose, and Subway can too. I’m way more annoyed that “homeschoolers” speak to the media as if they’re the mouthpiece for all of us than I could ever be at a private company that chooses to run a contest with an obvious purpose - to donate equipment to a brick and mortar school complex, not an invisible entity like a “homeschooling group”.

By: Sunniemom

Sunniemom — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:11:21 +0000

Before beginning any protest or boycott, ask yourself a few questions:

1) Who is benefited by the contest/policy/action/etc.?
2) Does benefiting this group of people promote morally reprehensible activity?
3) Who is harmed by the contest/policy/action/etc.?

There are some who do see Subwaygate as a civil liberties issue.

By: Renae

Renae — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:59:36 +0000

I like your guide to boycotting. Many react instead of reasoning first. These questions would help.

By: Dana Hanley

Dana Hanley — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:24:25 +0000

I could be wrong, but I think you have to be organized into some sort of group. It still discriminates against someone like me who is not a part.

But a playground, etc., would have worked. Except that I don’t think that it is bad to want to benefit a school.

By: Alasandra

Alasandra — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:33:34 +0000

Homeschoolers can participate in the Box Tops for Education Program. PEAK (Inclusive Homeschool Group) participates. You’ll have to ask Natalie how we do it though as I failed to pay attention to that part.

I think Subway could have solved the problem of the athletic equipment by saying in the event a homeschooler won the athletic equipment would be donated to a community playground, private or public school playground or recreational group of the homeschoolers choice.