I am writing this as a concerned fan of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Recently a controversy erupted around the introduction of character, given life by the avid fans from your less-than-intended audience. I am sorry this has created problems for you, but I do appreciate your stepping up and recognizing us in this way. It really did mean a lot to us, even if some of us are angry now.

I wasn't happy when Derpy was given a 'less offensive' voice. I wasn't happy when her name was clipped. But what bothers me most is that, in episodes since, I have not seen her anywhere, even in the background. I can certainly understand, we do live in a society where particular misinterpretations can be blown out of proportion and come back to haunt a brand.

However, I do not believe this is the case, here. The complaint that seems to have been lodged is that Derpy is an offensive representation of retarded people. Now, this first of all assumes that people with particular speech patterns, people who are clumsy and people who have particular physical characteristics are retarded. But mostly, it seemed to be a problem with the voice since there was no complaint, despite repeated appearances, crossed eyes and clumsy actions.
I would like to direct your attention to the character Patrick, from Spongebob Squarepants. If voice is the metric we use, Patrick is an extremely retarded character and is portrayed as unfathomably stupid as a character trait. There doesn't seem to be any problem with that, however, a small segment of parents has taken it upon themselves to dictate right and proper for all the world.

I am disappointed your studio folded under such slight pressure from the censor-all brigade and turned your backs on a loyal fanbase that has been there from the beginning. People tease us and cannot understand why, they mock your show because we enjoy it and, under pressure from peers that, I wager, find our love of your show less acceptable than any parent finds Derpy Hooves. But we go to the plate for My Little Pony. When we're mocked, we take a page from the show and we Love and Tolerate. When people ask 'Why' we tell them because the show is actually really really good. When they ask what's so good, we tell them to watch it and then you have another fan. We buy your products. We buy the show on iTunes. Some way or another, there is some particular magic that speaks to the child in all of us and anyone willing to listen with their hearts adores it.

But that sort of magic is a very delicate thing and, greater than Derpy, I fear that if you surrender this so easily to people who have only a passing interest and would likely move on to the next thing to be offended about, you endanger that magic and let another set of philistines crush something amazing, just because they don't understand it.

Sure, a few parents may forbid all My Little Pony in their household. But really, it will be very few who are able to resist their child's demand for Ponies. I know I would have thrown such a tantrum. But how many passionate fans do you lose, in exchange?

We don't want you to write the show in such a way that pleases just us. We love it as it is, without interference and it is that very interference we are protesting. You did something very good and a little daring and sure, a few people don't like that and want to see you portray a world where everyone is perfect and everything is the same. But you don't do that anyway, that's just what they see because all of the other differences seem easy to swallow to them.
Do they complain that Silver Spoons and Diamond Tiara are an unfair characterization of over-privileged youth? No. Did they complain when Zecora was somewhat stereotypically African? No. Are they complaining now, when some stereotypical teenage ponies mock Fluttershy? No. Because that's what what they find normal and acceptable.

What they have an issue with is Rainbow Dash, because she must be a Lesbian and Derpy Hooves, because she must be retarded. Not because Rainbow Dash is actually a lesbian or because Derpy Hooves is retarded, but because that is what they are not comfortable with and single out. So, what? Every athletic pony is a lesbian? Everyone with a speech impediment is retarded? And, because of that, they aren't suitable for children to see? It's absurd.

You told us that we should love and tolerate everypony.

But when somepony didn't like Derpy, you sold her out.

I demand you give Derpy back to us.

I will not buy any Hasboro Products until this demand is met.

I'm sorry, but I cannot abide your taking our friend from us.

Just because somepony looks a little funny and is a little clumsy and isn't the smartest doesn't mean they don't have a right to exist.