I've been collecting toys for about 15 years. In that time, there have been
plenty of banned toys, but usually this was due to safety. Toys like the
first McDonald's Playmobil promotion in the 80's that were a demonstrated
choking hazard, and forced Mickey D's to start the Under 3 toys, or the
slightly too well designed firing rockets on the Battlestar Galactica ships
are great examples, but dozens and dozens of toys get recalled and banned
every year due to safety situations. But pulling an action figure because
people were displeased with what it represented was a fairly rare
occurrence.
It seems like the political and social environment of
the last 5 years or so has drastically increased the number of toys being
banned due to their 'inappropriate nature'. There were those that might get
the touch up treatment - some panties painted on here, a t-shirt added
there, a little lengthening of a skirt over there - but for the most part
basic modifications were all that was necessary. Sure, there were those that
got the axe, quite literally, back in the 80's and 90's. The large Alien
figure is a good example, and because of the recall he's quite sought after
today. But in the last few years, the number of banned characters has risen
dramatically.
Just think about the few months - Palisades had to
pull their Marvin Nash, Hasbro ran into troubles with the Israeli Defense
Force, the new CEO of Toys R Us popped a vein over the Scary Tales figures,
and the Mad Bomber was relegated to a few on-line stores. Then there are the
figures that made controversy, although they still made it to the consumers,
like the Tortured Souls figures from McToys or the Adolf Hitler figure from
Drastic Plastic.
And every time the controversy sparks, both sides
rally with their cries of outrage - the offended can't understand how anyone
would want a toy like this, and the proponent can't understand how close
minded the offended can be. Neither side takes the time to consider where
their own feelings come from, let only where the feelings of the opposition
arise from. So what's all the hubbabaloo about?
I believe it's an unfortunate convening of three
factors. First there is the altered political and social environment I
mentioned earlier. I hate the term 'politically correct', because it's so
widely used to label anything the speaker might not like about our current
society that it's been rendered meaningless, but there is an increase in the
number of things that are no longer considered appropriate in our society.
It used to be that by avoiding religion and politics, you could navigate
most social seas - that's no longer the case. You better avoid sex, race,
ethnic background, pet and computer preferences, and great taste vs. less
filling. Even discussing the weather can end in a nasty tidal wave of
insults.
Clearly the events of 9-11 caused some of this as
well. Our social climate has certainly changed since then, but much of the
silliness was already in place before that tragic day. Consider Rad
Repeating Tarzan, who ended up with a major packaging change after a net
rumor started over his 'hand motion'.
The second factor is one often ignored - the
companies are pushing the envelope in ways not even imagined even 3 or 4
years ago. Not one but TWO lines of figures based on the film Reservoir
Dogs? No way. Figures based on porn stars, genocidal maniacs, and serial
killers? Oh, yea, that's going to happen...but it has. The industry has
changed drastically in the last five years, as new channels of distribution
opened up and smaller manufacturers began to test the limits that society
has set. In that context, it's hard to imagine a situation where controversy
wasn't the ultimate price.
The third factor is the most compelling though, and
the easiest to overlook. It's the greatest chasm of confusion between those
that say "what's wrong with a Tortured Souls figure" and those
that say "what the hell would you want one of those for". It's a
basic misunderstanding over icons.
We are an idolatrous society, and we have thousands
of years of social evolution that is an almost instinctual force. From early
clay figures, to the beautifully sculpted statues of all religions, to even
the voodoo dolls used to harm enemies, icons are a tremendous force in our
society. Those articulated representations of characters good and bad aren't
just toys, or statues, or art - they are icons, and as such the owners must
worship them.
Our earliest art was inspirational - you won't see
too many cave paintings where Grog spears himself in the foot in a bumbled
attempt to chase down a mastodon. But even art is given far more latitude
than plastic icons. Icons speak to our earliest clay representations of our
Gods, and we have worshiped them for so long that it's an automatic gut
response today to believe that any icon must represent a form of deity to
the owner.
Don't believe me? Then consider the usual instinctual
reaction to a figure like Adolf Hitler. Ask even many of the hard-core
military collectors how they feel, and the usual response is one of
discomfort. Even those that fully understand the historical significance of
the figure, understand that it is reasonable to make one, and that no one
should try to censor such a thing, still will tell you they would feel
uncomfortable owning one. The logical mind may say one thing, but often the
emotional mind will say another.
So the next time you find yourself cringing you see a
figure on the shelf or hear about plans to produce it, take some time to
examine your feelings, and try to understand where your repulsion is coming
from. It just might be an opportunity to learn a little more about your
self. Hey, you might still decide that it’s an abomination from hell, but
at least you’ll be able to say you gave it the thought and reflection that
decision deserved.
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