Thomas the Tank Engine Adds New African Train, But It’s Racist!

ashley.rae | October 16, 2017
DONATE
Font Size

Under the direction of the United Nations, the Thomas the Tank Engine you knew and loved as a kid will now be revamped to include foreign tank engines that are, of course, racist.

The Sun reports Mattel’s upcoming “Thomas & Friends” TV series will feature more diverse characters, including Nia, a female tank engine from Africa. Before adding Nia to the lineup, Mattel reportedly consulted the United Nations about how to help achieve their “Sustainable Development Goals.”

Despite the fact that tank engines are tank engines and not humans, and therefore have no reason to be “diverse,” Nia will be made to look different from the other trains because of her features and the African pattern on her engine.

(Image source: ThomasandFriends/Instagram)

Even though the move to include a diverse train is part of making the Thomas universe more inclusive, the Guardian criticized Nia for being a “gratuitous stereotype.” According to the Guardian, Nia will be from “Stereotypical Africa.” (The Huffington Post, however, claims Nia will be from Kenya—which is definitely a real country and not at all “Stereotypical Africa.")

Nia, along with another train named Rebecca, will reportedly be added to solve the “gender imbalance” on the classic series.

Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!

donate