LEGO, the popular toy company, has made a bold statement in its commitment to inclusivity and representation by releasing the first-ever mini-figure with vitiligo. In November last year, the company launched a set of minifigures in the new 21337 Table Football set. And to everyone’s surprise, this included a character with vitiligo for the first time. Vitiligo, a skin condition that affects about 1% of the world’s population, has been widely documented throughout history, yet it remains largely underrepresented in popular media.
With the release of this mini-figure, LEGO is sending a message that individuals with vitiligo deserve to be seen and represented in a positive light. The mini-figure comes with a unique skin tone that accurately represents the condition, and its inclusion in LEGO sets provides an opportunity for children to learn about and understand the condition in a fun and educational way.
This move by LEGO has been widely celebrated by those in the vitiligo community, who have long been seeking greater representation in popular media. It is a powerful symbol of acceptance and recognition, and serves as a reminder that everyone deserves to be seen and valued, regardless of their appearance. LEGO’S release of the first-ever mini-character with vitiligo is also a major step forward in promoting inclusivity and representation in the toy industry. For years, LEGO minifigures had generic yellow faces, and lacked diversity. Over time, it became easier for the toy company to create a minifigure that looked just like – or at least similar to – one another. Gradually different expressions were introduced, including faces with glasses or hearing aids.
Final Thought: LEGO’S release of the first-ever mini-character with vitiligo is a message of hope and inspiration for individuals with vitiligo and for anyone who has ever felt excluded or underrepresented. Unite For Vitiligo looks forward to seeing more companies follow in Lego’s footsteps and make a similar commitment to inclusivity and representation.
