February 22, 2006
I received this letter in an envelope today. All I received was just this letter. No contact information, no website, etc. It was a very professional letter, with headings and the like. The envelope has a picture of a caveman on it. I thought it all was rather humorous…
Dear Friend,
As you know, Cavemen are smart, thoughtful, intelligent, cognitive, ambitious, social beings. Unfortunately, GEICO Auto Insurance has been using language in their advertising that perpetuates a negative stereotype - that Cavemen are unsophisticated simpletons, that we have inferior intelligence. The slogan for their website, geico.com, is “So easy a caveman can do it.” This could not be more insensitive or offensive.
[Example]
We know that you are just as appalled and concerned about this as we are. That’s why we are asking for your help. Stop GEICO from perpetuating these negative stereotypes and characterizations of Cavemen. Let them know how you feel! Cavemen are people too!
[More Examples]
Just a few examples of the sweeping misinformation GEICO is spreading in its advertising. We hope you’ll join us in our fight for fair treatment. We hope you’ll do it today. Remember: we may not look like you, but we are just like you.
Seriously,
Up With Cavemen
About Us
Mission Statement:As America’s oldest and largest caveman civil rights organization, Up With Cavemen works with a unified voice to ensure that cavemen everywhere, no matter their physical appearance, can live open, honest lives.
We support:
The effective lobbying of governments and companies to stop their discriminatory practices and biased imagery. Additionally, we support educating the general community on the historical pedigree and cultural mind of cavemen, and funding public research on pre-recorded historical anthropology.
Past campaigns:
Cavemen are beautiful: A campaign designed to instill the caveman community with a message of pride and reduce the number of cavemen who feel the need to alter their appearance with plastic surgery or hair-removal.
Cavemen are history: A campaign designed to educate the scientific community about the negative effects that prehistoric studies have on young caveman self-esteem. Up With Cavemen organized petitions and sit-ins to change the vernacular prehistoric, which literally means pre-history, with the more appropriate pre-recorded history.
Cavemen are:
Intelligent
“I graduated summa
cum laude.â€
Powerful
Cognitive
Ambitious
Social