If you have a child you have probably heard about the new hit show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It has largely been a wonderful show for children that teaches positive messages. It was designed to be enjoyed by both children and their parents so the engaging story lines and original characters have brought in fan bases that no one ever counted on.

Unfortunately on January 21, 2012 the 14th episode in the show's second season aired. "The Last Roundup" took a drastically different turn than most fans were expecting. In an effort to reach out to the increasing number of childless adults who have started watching, the show creators allowed a very hurtful, pro-bullying message to be aired.

In one of the opening scenes a pony is given a name that is used to mock Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism and a variety of other developmental and physical abilities real people live with. This same pony then behaves as a cruel caricature of a disabled individual, unable to control her actions and seemingly oblivious to the world around her. She uses a voice similar to that of Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men, that slow, loopy and lispy drawl we have all heard others use as an insult for a person or a subject. And worst of all? Another character, presented as neurotypical yells at her for simply being who she is. There is no compassion for her disabilities, only derision. This sort of scene is played out day after day in schools across the world. By bullies.

The show's creators were made aware months ago of the hurtful nature of that name and yet they used it anyway. We need to tell them no, we will not stand for this. This is not the message of empathy we were promised and it is not the lesson we want our next generations to receive! My Little Pony should not be an advocate for bullying.

The scene in question can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC2EMUuQmTY