Shelley sent a message to Antonio Urcelay Chairman and CEO, Toys R Us, Inc. – email address that said:
Dear sir,
My grand daughter cassidy who is 6 was watching your advert early this morning,I asked her if there was anything she would like from Toys r us for Christmas,to which she replied
No thanks ninnin
I asked why not she replied with
There are no black or brown children in the advert so they don't sell toys to brown children like me,
Coming from a 6 yr old little girl who is dual heritage ( mum British dad Nigerian) that hit home,that there are NO other children apart from white children in your advert,in this day and age that is shocking,so Toys r us is off our Christmas shopping list this year,How many more children of dual heritage being mainly black have thought those exact same words as my grand daughter said this morning,for a child not to want to go into one of the largest toy retailers we have in the UK because they don't sell toys to brown or black children is heart breaking,for over 25 yrs I have shopped at Toys r us for my own children who are now adults,but I won't be doing again,perhaps its time you added children of different nationalities to your adverts,and show children like my grand daughter that all children no matter what colour can shop in your stores,
I have 1 very upset little girl this morning who is going into school to tell her friends about your advert,so it will be the talk of the playground
All children should be made to feel welcome in your stores,they should enjoy being a child and having fun choosing toys,this little girl sadly will now miss out on the toys you have because of your discrimination in your advert
Regards
Shelley and cassidy