Posted: July 21, 2021
The images and toys we show young children can shape their understanding of reality for decades to come. That's why it's so important for Mattel stop inaccurately depicting Baby Jesus as a blond, white child in their Fisher Price "Little People Nativity."
Jesus was almost certainly a person of color, born in occupied territory among the oppressed, --not in Rome among those with power. But selling white Jesus, Mary, and Joseph toys isn't just untrue. It can also fuel the very oppression that Christ opposed.
That's because throughout U.S. history, groups like the Ku Klux Klan have intentionally depicted Jesus as white instead of Middle Eastern in order to defend their hatred and discourage immigration. As Professor Anthea Butler, author of "White Evangelical Racism," told Religion News Service, "Every time you see white Jesus, you see white supremacy."
Before any major corporation changes a product, it needs to know that consumers will support the change. With the toy companies already planning for the holiday season, add your name now to show Mattel executives that Christians and consumers across the country want them to correct their misleading Fisher Price Nativity playset, just like they introduced representation to the Barbie line.
Sign the petition:
Love thy neighbor.