We’ve learned LEGO has a popular ‘Evil Dwarf’ toy for children. So we’re urging them to produce figures with dwarfism that are positive, realistic, and don’t reinforce damaging stereotypes.
ACTION: Please join us by copying, pasting, and sending our template Tweet, Facebook post, and e-mail to @LEGO_Group (on Twitter), @LEGO (on Facebook), and media@LEGO.com respectively. These are copied below. Let’s make @LEGO make positive, realistic toys that our community and children can proudly collect.
1. (Tweet @LEGO_Group begins)
.@LEGO_Group. These figures teach kids #stereotypes http://lego.build/2qMxpQ1. Pls cld u make some positive & realistic #dwarfism figures too?
(Tweet ends)
2. (Facebook post to @LEGO begins)
Hi there. Toys such as your ‘Evil Dwarf‘ figure can propagate and embed these stereotypes among children – even unintentionally.
As one of the world’s best known and much-loved toy manufacturers, you’re in the perfect position to help introduce children (and adults!) to dwarfism, disability, and difference in a positive and realistic way.
We believe LEGO figures positively and realistically showing dwarfism would better enable the Lego range to reflect the diversity of its fans, install a sense of pride in young collectors with restricted growth, and help change society.
I hope you’ll seriously consider this request and contact @RGAUK to take this suggestion forwards.
(Facebook post ends)
3. (Email media@LEGO.com begins)
Hi there,
I’m a supporter of RGA UK, a leading dwarfism charity.
I’m writing to ask LEGO to seriously consider producing figures of people with dwarfism but in a positive and realistic context.
LEGO currently does produce figures with dwarfism. Sadly, these seem to reflect historical and cultural stereotypes of people with restricted growth – such as your ‘Evil Dwarf’ character.
We believe dwarfism is one of the last acceptable prejudices in society, which often mischaracterizes people with dwarfism as mythical creatures, objects to ridicule or fear, or ‘others’ with less inherent human value.
Toys such as the ‘Evil Dwarf’ figure can propagate and embed these stereotypes among children – even unintentionally.
As one of the world’s best-known and much-loved toy manufacturers, LEGO’s in the perfect position to help introduce children (and adults!) to dwarfism, disability, and difference in a positive and realistic way.
We believe LEGO figures positively and realistically showing dwarfism would better enable the Lego range to reflect the diversity of its fans, install a sense of pride in young collectors with restricted growth, and help to change society.
I hope you’ll seriously consider this request and contact RGA UK (via office@restrictedgrowth.co.uk) to take this suggestion forwards.
I look forward to hearing from you.
[INSERT NAME]
(E-mail ends)