I love NorthPark. The great restaurants, the big movie theater, the world-renown shops – people come from miles away just to shop there. They keep it meticulously clean, and the exotic indoor landscaping is lovingly cared for. I even love to exercise there. On any given morning, you are likely to find me and about 30 other people walking in circles inside the mall.

That’s what I was doing when I spotted the Armani Exchange window display near Dillard’s. In the front window is a giant heart – about 4 feet by 4 feet – made of bright red condoms.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

Before you call me a prude, let me say I understand that sex sells – especially around Valentine’s Day. And before you quote me the statistics on the ravages of the AIDS epidemic, let me say that I believe in safe sex as a way to save people from HIV, unwanted pregnancy, and STDs. Condoms can save lives.

But I admit that condoms in the front window were a shock to me. At Christmastime, that area is used for the 12 days of Christmas children’s puppet show, and it’s just around the corner from the fountain kids love to watch. If Armani Exchange had been giving away free condoms with the purchase of red boxers inside the store, I wouldn’t have batted an eye. But it was the very large public display that dropped my jaw. I don’t know. Call me crazy. Everyone else just seemed to walk on by.

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.