Well, y’all, you’re not going to believe what Build-A-Bear Workshop has come up with this time. They’ve gone and created a teddy bear inspired by the drag queen extraordinaire, RuPaul. You heard me right! The same company that’s been a go-to spot for kids to create cuddly companions is now stepping into the world of drag queens.
Now, this RuPaul bear isn’t cheap, folks. For $56, your bear comes decked out with curly blond hair, red lipstick, winged eyeliner, gold eye shadow, a sparkly gold sequin dress, and gold paw pads featuring RuPaul’s logo. And if that ain’t enough, you can even snag a pair of matching heels for another $8.
Sure, RuPaul has eleven Primetime Emmy Awards under his belt and is known for hosting the reality TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” But is this really the direction Build-A-Bear should be heading?
This particular bear is being sold exclusively online through Build-A-Bear’s “Bear Cave,” where they make it clear that the toys are intended for adults 18 and up. However, Matt Walsh from The Daily Wire noticed that the bear was displayed front and center on Build-A-Bear’s main website, right next to Easter products and an Axolotl stuffed animal. So, what’s the deal? Is this bear for adults, or is there a hidden agenda to target our children?
I’m told that the bear is sold in a section of the site that’s “intended for 18+ shoppers.” Except that they have the drag bear right on the front page, front and center, alongside the Easter merchandise.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 30, 2023
The arrival of this drag-inspired bear has stirred up quite a fuss. Some fans are over the moon, while others are left scratching their heads, wondering what Build-A-Bear is really up to. Are they aiming to influence our kids with this controversial teddy bear? And if they are, have they gone too far?
We hold tight to our traditional family values and worry about our kids being exposed to ideas that don’t line up with those values. We need to keep a watchful eye on the messages our little ones are receiving, even from sources that seem harmless, like stuffed animals. We’ve got to ask ourselves, is this the kind of influence we want for the next generation?
Though the RuPaul bear may have been removed from the main page of Build-A-Bear’s website, it’s still there if you search for it. While it’s essential to celebrate and respect the diverse world we live in, we also need to think about the right context and audience for these messages. Build-A-Bear Workshop, a brand long associated with childhood innocence and fun, might have crossed a line with this latest creation.
So, let’s urge parents to keep a sharp eye on the products they bring home and the messages they’re sending their kids. In a world where the line between childhood innocence and adult themes is growing fuzzier by the day, it’s more important than ever to stand up for the values that have shaped our society for generations.
Sources: WesternJournal, Buildabear