When we last left our Legal Justice League heroines, it seemed their chances of survival were slim. The reason: LEGO Ideas has a rule that prohibits the depictions of “politics and political symbols, campaigns, or movements.” So when the set was entered in the LEGO Ideas contest, it was found to be in violation of that rule and never even made it to the voting stage of the contest.
The League’s creator, Maia Weinstock, previously told msnbc.com that she disagrees with the ruling because “Supreme Court justices are supposed to be impartial and this [set] is really more about law.” Now she’s taking a cue from the legal greats and petitioning LEGO to depict the bench.
In an open letter published over the weekend, Weinstock asks LEGO to reconsider the Legal Justice League for the LEGO Ideas contest — and she lays out some pretty convincing reasons as to why. The set could inspire girls and women to enter the legal profession, she says. It celebrates great women of history and it gives LEGO an opportunity to engage youngsters in civics. Weinstock explains that there is precedent for this type of toy, as well. “Plenty of respected children’s companies honor women in history…Many of these [dolls and action figures] are used in schools — and they even cover contemporary individuals. The Legal Justice League would help teach history in a way that doesn’t exclude trailblazing women.”
Weinstock also believes that there’s a business case to be made. “This set has clearly struck a chord with the public,” Weinstock writes. From hopeful fathers to law professors seeking to expand their Supreme Court collections, the feedback Weinstock has received from just sharing the idea on Flickr and social media is proof enough, for her, that this set should be put to market. Moreover, Weinstock points out that the set could continue LEGO’s progress towards more gender inclusive toys. Although there has been progress, the letter states that “I and many others believe LEGO could still do so much better in the representation of women in its products.” She continues: “The Legal Justice League, were it to be produced, would provide LEGO with instant good karma in your renewed efforts to include more females in your offerings — no beauty tips required.”
Weinstock previously told msnbc.com via email that what makes this set special in her mind is that “you’re not only seeing what you can be; with an action figure or LEGO minifigure you could actually be a Supreme Court Justice by having her interact with other minifigures.”
MSNBC has reached out to LEGO for a statement on the open letter and the current no-politics depictions rule.
Ali Vitali is MS NOW's senior congressional correspondent and the host of "Way Too Early." She is the author of "Electable: Why America Hasn’t Put a Woman in the White House … Yet."