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 Star Wars / 6966
  Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
I was snooping through Brickset today, and came upon something. TLC has firmly taken a stand on the race issue, saying that they give children yellow heads and let them play with them however they want to. They say they don't take sides when it (...) (24 years ago, 29-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) At Lego's Imagination Center at the Mall of America in Twin Cities MN, there are many large "minifigs" made out of regular lego bricks. Several of them are African American. I have pictures, I just need to scan them. I find it interesting that (...) (24 years ago, 29-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) are (...) EXACTLY my point! It's almost like they're trying to play both sides of the fence. Oh heavens, we need to be politically correct, but we don't want to get into it. I say that's bantha fodder. Give consumers what they want. -Chris (24 years ago, 29-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
Xcalabur <Xcalabur@rocketmail.com> wrote in message news:FtsLzv.Eru@lugnet.com... (...) there (...) them (...) construct (...) some (...) difficult!) (...) the (...) to (...) I do not view it as a matter of being "politically correct", but just (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
Can anyone say if lego has ever made a non-yellow minifig head? Chris (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) They have had AFAIK, unpainted heads in lots of colors, but the only color other than yellow I know of with a pattern on it was the robot head. (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) They've made white (Gasgano), black (Darth Maul), red (UFO), blue (UFO also), and grey (Insectoids and Darth Vader) minifig heads. For 'regular' people, they've always used yellow, but for the others, anything goes... except brown... ~Nathan (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Set 215 Red Indians has an unprinted red minifig head used as a child's head. John B. (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Dont forget white (skelleton) Yep. TLG has never made minifig heads in brown, for any purpose. Bummer! Mabie we can convince lego direct to run off a batch of assorted brown heads??? (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Neither is Harrison Ford. So? TLC is in a "damned if they do, damned if they don't" position. Despite all evidence to the contrary, people continue to associate yellow minifig with Caucasian people. This is despite the fact that American (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
For everyone's info, Lego produced a set of 12 small duplo "World People" (Set 2772) in 1992. It consisted of three families. A black family - brown heads and a White family and Asian family, bith with Pink Flesh-colour heads.. I have no objections (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Ah! But not ALL humans. I don't see yellow duplo figs, nor yellow SCALA or BV figs either. Those are depicited as "caucasian"... TLC has a semi-double- standard thing going on, either way (as Jeff mentioned) they are in for big flammage... if (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Do you realize how many problems Lego would have if they started making non-yellow human minifigs? First, they'd have to stop making yellow minifigs altogether. If they didn't, and let them slide as "caucasians", they'd be opening themselves (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) There's this too, from 1977: (URL) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Aye, you both make good points. But the thing about this is that it's not Legoland, it's Star Wars land. This is the first time (I believe) that Lego has tackled something like this. They're making Lego figs of REAL people. I think that they (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Maxifigs apparently pre-date the "everyone is yellow" rule -- the Red Indians are literally Red. It's pretty funny, in a non-PC way. I'm a big fan of making minifigs as generic as possible (yay for smileys!). Give them character with their (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Aye, true. But, as I said before, this particular theme is based in something real. This is the first time that TLC has made minifigs based on real live people, and I question their stand on it, because it doesn't make sense to me. They strive (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I think the main problem with this argument is "white lego people". Even if Lego people do seem to be living in a totalitarian nightmare of uniformity (look at the number of cops they need), yellow is the colour of all lego humans (whether or (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) True, but neither are American Indians or Pacific Islanders, yet those two groups were both depicted as yellow. I don't really pay much attention to the color of the minifig, I look more at how the race is represented. Even though they were (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Luke and Han are not alive. Mark Hammil and Harrison Ford just depicted the Characters for our entertainment. :) (...) The minifigs *are* accurate. The Han Solo minifig is a minifig depiction of Han Solo, just as Harrison Ford was a human (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  A simple answer
 
Hey all, I think that TLG will avoid dealing with this touchy issue (as perfectly demonstrated by the huge threads this topic always generates) by simply not making the minifigs for these characters. Whether they made a Lando 'fig with a yellow or (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
Who is doing the design for the LEGO STAR WARS LINE? Is that being done by LEGO US or is it being done by LEGO (is it holland where there main headquaters is at). I ask this becuase I remeber reading when i was younger that LEGO US only manufactured (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) something (...) That's what I meant... (...) True. So depict Lando instead of Billy Dee. No problems there. (...) all (...) The latter. (...) to (...) You can be polite and not be politically correct. I was brought up (I'm 17) calling Native (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) those weren't based on one SPECIFIC person. I say that TLC should go for an accurate portrayal, if they make Lando and Mace (forgot about him...) -Chris (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) What color head does Luke, Han, Obi-wan, Qui-gon, etc. have? Yellow. Why? Because all living, healthy, "human" mini-figs are yellow. If TLC makes a Lando or Mace mini-fig it will be yellow just like all the rest. Luke, Han, etc. don't have (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I'd like to see this too. They could make it so that there's a random selection of colors all across the spectrum of human skin colors. Then, the minifigs in each set would be randomized -- no way of telling what color you'd get until you (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I think if TLC eventually make a Yoda fig it will be a one-piece cast item like Sebulba, or perhaps a two-piece (green head with big ears and tan or brown body), not an actual minifig. That is, I hope they don't make Yoda from a minifig. (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: A simple answer
 
(...) Brilliant idea, Dave! I'm going to try it out. Pete Callaway (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars)
 
  Re: A simple answer
 
(...) IANAA (I am not an American), but would a special interest group really *sue* Lego over a portrayal of ethnicity? Incidentally, I think Lego _should_ be challenged over it's attitudes to race and gender. As was pointed out earlier, there seems (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: A simple answer
 
(...) I doubt it. Even if someone wanted to sue LEGO, what could they possibly argue? LEGO has the right to free speech, and therefore has the right to make their figs any color they want. By not creating figs with various "skin" tones, LEGO is (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) One might argue that action figures or minifigs represent the actors who in turn represent the characters... (...) Hmm. I'm a native American, since I was born in Pennsylvania, even though my heritage is entirely European. Dave! (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: A simple answer
 
I didn't mean to imply they would sue them over a portrayal of ethnicity, I meant that someone might sue to have their group represented as part of TLG's population of minifigs (if TLG actually started making ethnic 'figs). Dave (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) And...I try to call them by their proper tribal name bacause Hopi are not Sioux, who are not Navajo, etc... (now watch someone tell me I managed to mangle the spelling of one of those, so I can tell them that those are transliterations into (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  suing TLC for discrimination (was: Re: A simple answer)
 
(...) You're right, they can't sue TLC for *that*, but... what if there were a lawsuit by TLC employees in the USA who thought they were being denied promotions due to their race. Could they use the "racially pure" minifigs as evidence of a (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Wack or wacky? ;) They have somewhat opposing meanings, so I'm just trying to figure out if you liked Anthro or thought they were nuts--not that both can't be correct. Oddly enough, the term "Sioux" is dragged through *two* languages, first (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Just a quick note here: TLC had better hope this isn't provable in a court of law! Didn't Harrison Ford win a case concerning his likeness in the _Indiana Jones_ movies and its transfer to a PC game? I think the case was settled that Ford (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) to (...) Even with the 'Indians from India', doesn't the term come from the Indus valley civilisations (hardly the subcontinent), history buffs please help. (...) In Australia, some Aboriginals (a generic term that crosses oceans) refer to (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
Jeff Stembel wrote in message ... (...) yellow (...) don't (...) these (...) African-American, (...) position (...) slide (...) minifigs (...) rid (...) "proper (...) than (...) color? (...) do. (...) But minifigs are not human. Minifigs are little (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) ...That would be a nightmare, since then I'd have to buy dozens of each set to make sure I got all the combinations of minifig head colours/patterns! :-) ...you can go back to ignoring me now... wubwub stephen f roberts wamalug guy ((URL) #160 (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Yes, this is another way in which it'd be a win for Lego. :) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I *know* they're characters. Here's my point. Tell me the name of the guy who is portrayed by the Indian Cheif. The actual guy. There isn't one! It's just a generic figure. Now, I can tell you the names of the guys who are portrayed by the (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) But that makes them absolutly NO DIFFERENT as a mini-fig. If mini-Han and mini-Luke had tan heads then it would make sense for mini-Lando to have a brown head. However they are not based on the actors. Mini-Luke and mini-Han have yellow heads (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) minifg (...) my (...) Hmmmm. Why are they Native AMERICANS? What about us? In all rights they should be Native Canadians, we are the bigger country (1) no matter what the "neighbours" think... <<KM>> (1) landmass wise, not economically, we're (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) But what you're not incorporating into this assertion is the fact that, at least on some level, the development of the characters was influenced by the actors themselves. Luke's run-in with the Wampa (sp?) was dictated by an accident suffered (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: suing TLC for discrimination (was: Re: A simple answer)
 
(...) Perhaps. But then so could anyone who felt that she'd been denied a promotion because she has four fingers and a thumb instead of the minfig style of hand. Likewise anyone who'd missed a promotion because he couldn't remove and reattach his (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I think the "American" part refers, right-or-wrong, to North America, South America, or "the Americas," without getting into one nation or another. Similarly, I had a professor from England who was just a few generations removed from Africa, (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) again, (...) an (...) It's (...) brown (...) Like Dave says, if this is true, then Vader should have had a yellow head too. He's a Star Wars "person/character" too. Yes, I understand that it is gray for effect, and I want it to be gray, not (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: suing TLC for discrimination (was: Re: A simple answer)
 
(...) Seems like those who have been promoted in my company have removed their heads, but forgot to reattach them afterwards :-) -Duane (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: suing TLC for discrimination (was: Re: A simple answer)
 
(...) Ditto with companies I've worked for--except the heads DO get reattached, only not in their original position. best LFB FUT-> o-t.fun (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.fun)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) All mini-fig humans are yellow. Billy Dee Williams is human therefore a mini-fig copy of him would be yellow. What is so difficult about this. No one cares that Mark Hammill and Harrison Ford were made yellow. (...) Ah but if you go to my (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Lando (...) I couldn't agree more that humans are ignorant. So, no one cared that Han and Luke were yellow. And, IF they release a Lando, and he's yellow, I'll buy him. I would want brown, but I'd buy yellow. But are you telling me that you (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I (...) They same thing you call yourself. Human. Either I am mentally well beyond the rest of you or I am so naive it is not funny. -Lord Insanity (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
In lugnet.starwars, Mike Petrucelli writes: (major snippage) (...) It failed my "Emperors New Clothes" test. Emperor with non-existant clothes that no one wanted to admit weren't there, but a child pointed out weren't there? Okay, so I explain (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Why (...) Yes I would rather Lando was yellow because that is the precedence set by TLC. As for the "healthy" thing, yes that is my opinion based on TLC precedence of mini-fig already created. I would not be at all surprised if that was the (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) the (...) I wonder if this has to do with The Simpson's. I belive that show totally ruined TLC's concept of neutrality. Unfortunatly they aren't old enough to know TLC was first. (...) Thanks. I find it very intriging and puzzeling. Who can (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) he (...) all-white (...) He doesn't watch the Simpsons. And this was before the current Butterfinger/Simpsons adds. (...) No, the ones to pity, as in the classic tale, are the adults. All my son has to do is look at me and then look at his (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Oh?! (...) light (...) and (...) accept (...) I never recall thinking that lego people were 'white'. In a black and white photo the tones do make sense though. I guess because I can rember never making the association as a child myself, I was (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I think that's pretty insulting, actually. It'd be kinda like using a black head (with white inking? shades of the minstrel shows) for a black man. Or using LEGO yellow for Oriental people. (The only reason that's not insulting now is because (...) (24 years ago, 2-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) You're both being silly. They should use Belville pink. ;) oink, LFB (24 years ago, 2-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
Hi everyone - I'm new. I've been reading through a lot of the comments about the Lando figure, and my feelings are that surely it's all getting a bit deep. As far as I'm concerned, one important point is that we may well get a Lando figure in the (...) (24 years ago, 2-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) The reason is because Canada is really a US Territory; you all just don't realise it yet. ;D Jeff (for the humor impaired, this is a joke, therfore follow-ups to off.topic.fun) (24 years ago, 2-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I got to thinking about what you said... so I went back and watched the Star Wars videos and you know what? Neither Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, nor Qui Gon Jinn were yellow. Papa Skywalker isn't gray. Whattaya know. I know! They could make Lando (...) (24 years ago, 3-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) I wasn't on my Laserdiscs either - but then I found the color control knob on my TV. Now everyone is a pleasant Lego yellow. Silly me! I've simply had it adjusted wrong all this time. ;-) Bruce (24 years ago, 3-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.general, lugnet.off-topic.debate)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) Qui (...) Hmm... Mark Hammill appeared on The Simpsons, and he was quite yellow there, too. Maybe Hammill *really is* a delicate shade of yellow, and the wizards at ILM color-corrected him for the big screen. Dave! (24 years ago, 3-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.off-topic.fun)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) it (...) Doh! (slapping forehead) All that digital manipulation! What was I thinking? There's no need for controversy: Billy Dee Williams *really is* bright yellow! They just technically enhanced him in the Star Wars flics for that "exotic" (...) (24 years ago, 3-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.off-topic.fun)
 
  Re: Why can't we have a Lando: Lego's Race policy
 
(...) on (...) there, (...) at (...) Now that you mention it, with all the yellow people on the Simpsons, could the creator (Matt Groening I think) be a secret Legophile? Any of you Simpson fans see any reference to Lego? (24 years ago, 3-May-00, to lugnet.starwars, lugnet.off-topic.fun)

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