I Won't Buy My Little Pony Toy That Makes Smart Princess Shallow
A girl’s television cartoon that appeals to boys and girls, men and women, is a rarity. For a cartoon to have such broad appeal, its lead characters must be dynamic and empowered—not the nauseatingly sweet-and-pink stereotypes found in most girl-oriented programming.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has this kind of appeal. Currently in the middle of its second season and slated for a third, it’s one of the best children’s cartoons on television.
The reason: When Hasbro decided to launch My Little Pony for a new generation of children, it invited former Powerpuff Girls animator Lauren Faust to reimagine the classic brand. Faust she brought a feminist sensibility to her work, creating interesting characters that entertain and inspire viewers.
Viewers like my three-year-old son, who adores the show—and parents like me, who are choosy about what their children view.
On a recent weekend, while shopping for a child’s birthday present at Target, we came across a My Little Pony section. My son was delighted to see so many characters from a favorite show, and the talking My Little Pony Princess Celestia toy caught his attention. It has a bright yellow button on its hindquarters, and my son loves buttons. He was entranced when a button's press lit up her wings. But the button also made her talk—and boy, was her talk annoying.
Although in Hasbro’s cartoon Princess Celestia is a wise, powerful leader and mentor, Hasbro’s toy reduces her to a conceited, girly-girl princess stereotype. Of the toy’s twelve statements, five focus on appearance:
· I love when you comb my hair!
· Oh, my hair looks beautiful.
· My wings are so pretty!
· My barrettes look so pretty!
· You're beautiful!
Two more are about being a princess (“I’m Princess Celestia!” and “I’m a princess! Are you a princess, too?”), and one is the word, "Spectacular!"
So if a child plays with this toy, about half of the time, he or she will be subjected to stereotypical pretty princess rhetoric--the kind of vanity discourse that the show, happily, is free of.
Adding insult to injury: although Princess Celestia is a white winged unicorn, this toy is bright pink. This confused my little boy, who asked, "She's Princess Celestia?" I replied, "Yeah!"
"She supposed to be white," he said. "She doesn't supposed to be pink." Right!
The picture on the toy's box actually shows the correct, non-pink version of the beloved character. I think this is out of necessity: Without that image, what child would believe this vain pink pony is Princess Celestia?
Hasbro, we demand better than this. As parents and fans, we like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic because its characters are more than stereotypes. By deliberately recasting a powerful leader as a pink girly-girl, you are insulting your own property and your audience members.
We want toys that reflect the characters we know and love. The on-screen version of Princess Celestia is a delightful antidote to the vapid princesses that limit girls imaginations, their sense of their place in the world, and their visions of the future. By using Princess Celestia to cash in on stereotypes about pretty princesses, you are selling out girls.
Hasbro, please fix Princess Celestia. She could say:
· I'm a princess! I rule my country with wisdom.
· I love teaching my students. Do you love school?
· You're so smart!
· You remind me of Twilight Sparkle, my best student.
· Can you tell me what you learned today?
· Together, we can do anything!
Ed note: Hasbro will now be offering a white Princess Celestia exclusive toy for Toys 'R' Us only. No reports indicate that the new version will say different phrases, however.
COMMENTS (7)