Lego figures with anxiety.. 'woke' or realistic?

Cher_Alumni

A Fox news host has been criticised following describing the release of new disabled Lego figures as 'woke'. The characters, including some with Down's Syndrome, were described as laden with identity politics - do you agree?

In today's Independent, Asher reports on the fall out to a Fox News segment about an array of new disabled Lego figures. From anxious mini folk, to amputees, the release aimed to bring about a more diverse bunch of Lego than the archetypal white man with stick on hair! However, host Harris Faulker described the collection as 'Woke', going on to to say:

"...the reason they force identity into toys is because they think identity comes with a built-in political orientation, and that’s what they’re after here.. I’m not having it.”

Over to you:

Do you see any problem with having disabled Lego figures?
Do you believe there's a push to 'force identity into toys'?
What would a Lego figure look like if it was based on you?

Tell us in the comments below!

Adeline

I haven't read the whole article but the parts you've shared has angered me enough. I don't see why anyone would have a problem with disabled Lego figures. I find the comment about it pushing identity into toys quite strange as I don't know many people who make their disability their identity. 

I don't understand why everything good or progressive is now considered 'woke'. Or why the word is now used as a negative. 

Grinchy

I think its a good idea, kids would like to see themselves reflected in plastic, adults to i'm guessing i see no harm in it,

Hannah_Alumni

Do you see any problem with having disabled Lego figures? No, none at all. Representation is important and learning about other people's health and barriers means we gain more knowledge and have a better society. 

Do you believe there's a push to 'force identity into toys'? Nope, toys with real world identities shouldn't be excluded to begin with. If we are forcing identity, then should we stop selling toys based on wizards?

What would a Lego figure look like if it was based on you? It would have a book  and a stoma bag! 

PollyPick

I think its pretty sick! - its time to put this diversity/woke nonsense to sleep permanently!

Ira

I find it interesting that Jimmy Faillon does not have a visible disability but feels entitled to comment on behalf of an underrepresented group who are systemically excluded (from toys to fashion to experiences etc.) It doesn’t strike me as if he has much self awareness or, in fact, awareness of how people who are different from his privileged standpoint might experience the world as it is. 

Personally I believe that representation makes for a more inclusive environment. Shared from my own privileged point of view, I’ll hasten to add. 

Martin1957

Cher_Scope said:

A Fox news host has been criticised following describing the release of new disabled Lego figures as 'woke'. The characters, including some with Down's Syndrome, were described as laden with identity politics - do you agree?

In today's Independent, Asher reports on the fall out to a Fox News segment about an array of new disabled Lego figures. From anxious mini folk, to amputees, the release aimed to bring about a more diverse bunch of Lego than the archetypal white man with stick on hair! However, host Harris Faulker described the collection as 'Woke', going on to to say:

"...the reason they force identity into toys is because they think identity comes with a built-in political orientation, and that’s what they’re after here.. I’m not having it.”

Over to you:

Do you see any problem with having disabled Lego figures?
Do you believe there's a push to 'force identity into toys'?
What would a Lego figure look like if it was based on you?

Tell us in the comments below!

I thought we already had disabled leg's figures when kids pull legs and arms of the little men also when they get the perement marker out and colour them in!!!!!

No butbin all honesty 

Or is it the world is just going  mad and to far now how do we identify the guy figures or transgender the worlds gon mad 
As soon as people  realise that disability colour and gender does not mean a thing to a child its the adults that bring the discrimination  into the fact 

JoOfVengerberg

Cher_Scope said:

A Fox news host has been criticised following describing the release of new disabled Lego figures as 'woke'. The characters, including some with Down's Syndrome, were described as laden with identity politics - do you agree?

In today's Independent, Asher reports on the fall out to a Fox News segment about an array of new disabled Lego figures. From anxious mini folk, to amputees, the release aimed to bring about a more diverse bunch of Lego than the archetypal white man with stick on hair! However, host Harris Faulker described the collection as 'Woke', going on to to say:

"...the reason they force identity into toys is because they think identity comes with a built-in political orientation, and that’s what they’re after here.. I’m not having it.”

Over to you:

Do you see any problem with having disabled Lego figures?
Do you believe there's a push to 'force identity into toys'?
What would a Lego figure look like if it was based on you?

Tell us in the comments below!

So weird that 'woke' = bad for lots of people. It's become the same sort of disparaging nonsense that 'snowflake' has. More diversity is great, and people just whine because they hate change or whatever. Very happy to be a woke snowflake if it means not being these people lol

Professorgarbutt

I think identity politics has gone too far and is even irrelevant. In the real world everyone acknowledges that people with physical disabilities exist, so why is it necessary to reflect this reality in the world of toys ? Moreover, if it is generally recognised that unseen disabilities exist too, why only create toys depicting physical disabilities ?  

WelshBlue

PollyPick said:

I think its pretty sick! - its time to put this diversity/woke nonsense to sleep permanently!

'sick' is a bit hard ?  

I'm all for diversity and for standing up to 'isms ... I do disagree with cancel culture.  Learn from the past, not repeat it ?  

The Lego figures I've no problem with ... they're healthy in teaching kids about disabilities, but not in pushing them on people who don't want them in a pack.  Choice is everything

We've all got different outlooks/ views - as it should be IMO.  Nobody is right and nobody is wrong; until they start spouting hate and discrimination against others.  Then tonne of bricks

Sandy_123

Having grandchildren to buy for I've seen toys already geared up  like barbie dolls  they now have  wheelchair barbies and different ones with disabilities and also fuller figure barbies. Also sign language is taught on ceebeeies programmes.

daresbury1978

I do think that it is OK to produce Lego toys if they truly represent what is real about the world that children are being brought up into. As an invisibly impaired individual I suppose that I am already represented in Lego toys up to a point. As mentioned by Sandy-123 above Lego is far from being the first toy making company to try to become more representative about disability, ethnicity etc.  My concern relates to the idea that anxiety, or depression even, might be represented. My father was a chronic depressive and I would certainly not have wanted toys that looked depressed. I think the idea that there might be a "push to force identity into toys" is perhaps an American republican political gripe rather than a reflection of what "woke" politics is trying to achieve here in the UK. Or is it?

daresbury1978

Hannah thinks that Disney needs a disabled princess. I am adding this here partly because I think hers is a great initiative, partly because I think it relates in some way to the LEGO toys issue and partly because I don't know where else to post it! 

Dear Disney,

My name is Hannah [Removed by moderator - personal detail] and I’m a 21-year-old writer and disability advocate. I have Cerebral Palsy, a physical disability which affects my fine and gross motor skills. It means I use a wheelchair to navigate through the world.

I’m writing you this message as a young woman who has always loved Disney films but never seen herself in them.

Creating a disabled Princess (we know how influential those characters are) would give millions of children around the world the invaluable chance to see themselves having adventures, rich full lives and being the hero of their own stories. You’d be working to dispel the painful idea that many children subconsciously absorb life with a disability has to mean a life without joy, adventure, friendship or love.

Beyond that, you’d also be providing a powerful reference point for non-disabled children to understand us and our lives. You would actively be creating a culture of tolerance, acceptance, empathy and understanding to replace fear, confusion and the seeds of bigotry that are often unconsciously sowed when we are confronted with something different that is hard to understand

For decades now, you as a company have stood at the forefront of children’s lives by providing high quality emotionally intelligent entertainment full of valuable lessons and important tools to help all of us understand the world.

As the first company to hopefully take this bold step, Disney would be a visionary leader in what I hope will become a powerful trend of better representation across the board.

Walt Disney envisaged his empire as a place for children to dream and hope. These days, we know more than ever that hope is the most powerful thing we have. Children with disabilities don’t have that place of fantastical hopes and dreams. We’ve never seen the possibilities of our lives represented for us and the world.

You have the chance to give us that magic

Hannah

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @daresbury1978

Just to let you know, I removed your daughters last name just because it's a personal detail and a public forum  

I love her letter and completely agree! I think if someone as big as Disney takes the first steps, the representation we could have would be fantastic. 

daresbury1978

Hi Hannah! Thank you for your message. Just to say that the Hannah who wrote this letter to Disney is not my daughter, As I recall she is an Australian woman and no relative of mine. Glad you loved the letter. I think her choice of words is fantastic! I might mention here that Hannah's letter can be found on Change.org

Hannah_Alumni

Sorry! I think I read Disney as daughter!