In a move that would shock the majority of those following the ups and downs of the United States Postal Service, a decision was made to destroy the new line of “Just Move” stamps created in honor of Michelle Obama’s fitness campaign.
Why?
According to news reports published in early October, the stamps depict children doing “dangerous” activities.
What did the stamps portray? They had pictures of children skipping rope, juggling, dribbling a basketball, doing cartwheels, playing soccer, shooting hoops, skateboarding, twisting, playing baseball, stretching, walking, balancing (doing a headstand), doing a cannonball, climbing rope, and swinging on a swing.
Whew. Sounds awful, doesn’t it?
Problem? You shouldn’t do a cannonball into a shallow pool. The skateboarder isn’t wearing kneepads. The guy doing a headstand isn’t wearing a helmet. Who the heck wears a helmet while doing a headstand, anyway?
And that’s just it, according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, & Nutrition. Those activities, as they’re portrayed, are somehow considered dangerous. A kid might see one of those stamps and try to mimic it (do you sense my sarcasm)?
Let’s be honest. Most kids in today’s tech world have never used a stamp. Many have never had to purchase one. Many have never written a real letter.
So what’s the real problem here? A lack of planning? A lack of true concern?
The post office has been in debt for years, constantly struggling and looking for ways to make budget changes. It amazes me they’d simply destroy a full line of printed stamps – especially since they must’ve been reviewed and approved before the initial printing process began.
So while the parents are participating in fitbug.com challenges at work, which are great, the children seem to have been again put on the back burner. What are we going to do to encourage children to exercise? To help children who aren’t into organized sports find ways to become active? When will we as a country open our eyes and identify the real problem?
The problem is not in a stamp. Neither is the solution.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
US Postal Service Moves to Destroy "Just Move" Stamps
