It’s certainly appropriate that some sports teams and grocery products — such as rice and pancake flour — update their names to remove negative stereotypes.
But we wondered if someone’s gone too far by renaming a popular children’s toy that’s been around for close to 70 years!
Hasbro has announced that it is going gender-neutral and removing “Mister” from Potato Head’s name.
By this fall, the Create Your Potato Head Family will allow children to imagine and create their own Potato Head family with two potato bodies, one small potato body and 42 accessories — representing two parents and a baby.
Hasbro executive Kimberly Boyd explains, “Culture has evolved… Kids want to be able to represent their own experiences. The way the brand currently exists — with the ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ — is limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure.”
Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD isn’t going anywhere! While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the ‘MR.’ I yam proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD pic.twitter.com/6I84KrxOLQ
— Hasbro (@Hasbro) February 25, 2021