I recently learnt about a WHOLE conflict revolving from the TV show 'My Little Pony : Friendship is Magic". This did surprise me, since the show advocates, tolerance, and friendship.

Now, I've been watching the show (I'm not sure I'd call myself a Bronie, since this whole internet issue has arrives in Febuaray and I didn't learn about it till now). I mainly started watching it, since there a huge following in the artist and webcomic community and since I've watched them all, and learn a few things visiting websites and what-not in an attempt to learn how the show is made and general knowledge.

I also once or twice noticed this cross eyed pony in the background. After a breif search I found a good chunk of information on the Fan Dub pony named, Derpy Hooves and discovered she has appeared in the background of MOST of the shows.

Now I'm not going to get into a history of this pony or anything. But what I want to rant a little about is the conflict surrounding this pony.

On a recent episode of MLP, Derpy Hooves or Ditzy Doo (as she was originally named in the show), got a speaking role. There was actually a whole scene with her and Rainbow Dash playing with lighten clouds, which resulted in the damage to town hall. But that scene was cut, and a breif scene showing the resulting damage to the town hall was the only scene left in.

During this scene, Rainbow Dash actually refereed to Ditzy Doo as Derpy. A knod to the fans by the show staff. If this was to be her permanent name or just a one time thing I don't know.  

The name bit didn't really a concern to me.  I learnt about this little background pony, I often tried to 'spot' her in the show extra characters.  Then when she got a speaking role, I was somewhat proud that this little handy-able Pony not only beat the odds, but she was one of the few that came out of the background, but actually spoke to the main cast. My thinking was, "First step, a minor speaking role... next step pivotal part in a up coming episode".  That thought actually put a smile on my face during some challenging times during the few days that followed.

Little did I know that there was a movement to ban this pony. Apparently a number of people felt offended by the use of Derpy as a name for this pony. Really?? Derpy is offensive? I didn't even know what the work meant till I looked it up, and it still seemed like a stretch. And is it really less offensive then Ditzy? If I had to choose Derpy or Ditzy as a name, I know which one I'd pick.

Anycase, someone in Hasbro, The HUB, Apple, or the staff making the show had the episode altered, changing Derpy's voice, removing her name and altering the scene slightly... None of this really bothers me too much.  If the powers that be want to go back to Ditzy as a name, or change her voice, sure I'm not happy... but it's not the end of the world....

What DOES bug me, is that there's a threat that this little pony may ceases to exist in any future episodes....

Yes, I know that she has been scene in, Hearts and Hooves Day, A Friend in Deed, Putting Your Hoof Down which all aired AFTER The Last Roundup (The episode she spoke in). But you also have to keep in mind that there are at least 3 episodes being worked on at anyone time and that the episodes do not broadcasted right after it's made, so there could be 4 - 6 episodes (or more) in cue to be broadcast after The Last Roundup with Derpy in them just waiting to aire, before this whole mess started.

Do I really believe that Derpy will vanish... I like to think not... Derpy has a large fan base even though she's only a background pony.  Upsetting that fan base can't be good for the franchise. What am I concerned with is will Derpy ever speak again?

I think Hasbro and the execs at my little pony are missing a prime opportunity. Yes, obviously they can censor this little pony, make her vanish with the dozen of other pones who have rarely been seen OR they can actually step up... use this to there advantage. They have a popular spoke-pony with a disability and meduim with a HUGE world wide following (aka the TV show)... Why hide Derpy/Ditzy when instead you can being her forward, make her seen. Make it so Derpy isn't a insulting term, but one to be proud of. There has to be writers and personal at MLP who can make Derpy a hero to those with similar disabilities (that or I'm seriously over estimating the writers). I would even go so far as to make a show where Derpy plays a pivotal role, like Cheerlee or Big Mac has done.

Imagine the potential message of tolerance and understanding that hundreds upon thousands of young kids will learn and grow up with by watching a handie-capable pony not only beat the odds by coming from behind the scenes, but be just as capable as any other pony on the TV show.

And if it happens that this little muffin loving handie-capable pony is really snuffed from the show in response to her speaking... Maybe the fans will have to step up and show that this little pony has much more to offer then being a lonely background character.

That's my opinion and rant. I'd really hate to see this pony vanish, and hate it even more to see her never speak again, just because a small group with 'hurt feels' and lack the for sight to see what this little pony can be capable of.


Some Derpy links I've found,

Derpy Wiki,
#Save Derpy - Which currently has a letter from Amy Keating Rogers, Screenwriter up on it,
Derpy conflict background and info
Derpy I'm sorry Youtube video (Will make you sad)