British Military Blasted Over White Male Toy Soldiers

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted May 3, 2009 7:57 AM CDT
British Military Blasted Over White Male Toy Soldiers
Critics are blasting a new line of all-male toy soldiers designed with the help of British military.

The British Defense Ministry is under fire for backing a new line of all-male toy soldiers, reports the Guardian.The promotional campaign for the new toys is also all-white. The figures were created with the help of senior officials from Britain's army, navy, and the Royal Air Force. They carry the nation's Ministry of Defense logo and are intended to represent the modern face of the British military.

The figures are "overtly macho," said the furious dad of a female British soldier killed in Afghanistan, and ignore 18,000 servicewomen. In addition, all 25 figures posted on the web site promoting the soldiers are white. "It is extraordinary they have chosen to exclude women and Gurkhas, whose contributions are vital to the modern British army," and a member of Parliament and ex-infantry officer. A spokesman for the manufacturer said female figures are being considered for next year.
(More Britain stories.)

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