Mr. Potato Head Is Emasculated By Hasbro [OPINION]
We are living in a sick and twisted space where everything offends somebody, and nobody is happy as a result. And now they are going after Mr. Potato Head. I can't believe I am actually saying that. It's a toy, for crying out loud!
Who on God's green Earth – oh wait, can I say God without crushing somebody's sensitivities? Who in the world could possibly be offended by Mr. Potato Head? Kids have been playing with Mr. Potato Head since before I was born. That's a long time – 70 years, to be exact. But now someone is offended so the spud stud gets mashed.
Is it any coincidence that on the same day that transgender woman and nominee for Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, refused to discuss her views on juvenile genital mutilation during a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, that Hasbro would strip Mr. Potato Head of his manhood? I think not.
It's true. The Rhode Island-based toy company says Mr. Potato Head is going gender-neutral. The Associated Press reports, "As part of the rebranding, Hasbro will release a new Potato Head playset this fall that will let kids create their own type of families, including two moms or two dads." The new tater will simply be known as Potato Head. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will live on in some form into the future, company officials say.
No matter how you slice it or dice it, this has to be among the most bizarre things I've heard in days. And I've heard a lot of bizarre things these days.
Mr. Potato Head is a child's toy. It's absurd that these perverse adults continue to feel as though they must force their agenda on little kids. Don Rickles must be tossing in the ground.
Hasbro, leave them kids alone!
Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.