I’m left a little baffled by this toy. On one hand I get what it’s supposed to be. It’s some sort of Elmo-esque plush toy that does what plush toys of the new millennium do. They sing and dance, or shake, and tremble, or whatever else palsy-ridden toys should do nowadays. Why? I have no idea. I’m from the world of soft teddy bears and Raggedy Ann dolls. I never got the appeal of the singing/talking stuffed toy, the Teddy Ruxpins of the toy world. In fact that thing was downright scary! It was like it could read your mind and then rat you out to adults. Sheesh. It was a monster. Now then…the Sing-a-ma-jigs by Fisher Price? Singing flesh eaters? Beloved best toy ever? I dunno.
There is also something about it that may be a bit unsettling.
These singing Vaudevillian plushies are supposedly the Christmas item of the upcoming season. Like literally when they appeared on the scene late last year, they sold out in minutes. However, in looking at them, uh, well, if you think about it, could they be a bit RACIST? Something about the large lips and the “jigs” in the name. Add to the fact they’re listed by color, as in there’s a Yellow one and a Red one, and whatever you can draw from that.
The commenter sections of several websites have brought up these issues. Some of those commenters have also stated that they look like they’re in blackface. Going too far?
And then there’s this video…
Not sure that this is the most compelling evidence, but well, it seems enough to be offensive to some, and to question the thinking at Fisher Price. Personally, I think it sounds awful and doesn’t look very fun to play with. That and it has RACISM COOTIES! Well, whatever. What the hell is it…a deformed rabbit?
What do you think?
