What Race is a LEGO Minifig?

What Race is a LEGO Minifig?

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE  [https://youtu.be/uqHZGcL2MB4] LEGO says yellow represents every person. LEGO fans of color disagree. On this episode, a deep dive into the origins of the “yellow everyman” and the consequences that’s had on the LEGO fandom. Today’s guests are numerous and wide-ranging, from philosophers to LEGO Masters contestants. In order of appearance: * Randall Wilson [https://www.randall-wilson.com/] - LEGO Masters Contestant and Brick Artist * Wes Royer [https://www.instagram.com/wesbrixx/] - founder of BLACKLUG [http://blacklug.com] * Levi Knighten [https://www.instagram.com/levithebaker/] - LEGO fan and writer * Roy T. Cook [https://www.roycookparadox.com/] - Professor of Philosophy, University of Minnesota * Corey D. Samuels [https://www.instagram.com/samzbrego/] - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher * Christine “Tacos” Blandino [https://www.instagram.com/stempoweredbytacos/] - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher This episode is the culmination of months of work, research, and feedback - not just from those six guests. I want to shout-out a few others for working with me on this episode: * Harrison White * BrickContractor [https://www.tiktok.com/@brickcontractor] * brick5cape [https://www.instagram.com/brick5cape/] * Syreeta Gates [https://www.instagram.com/syreetagates/] * Jerry Shannon * Olivia Sheane (my girlfriend!) If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus act between Parts 2 and 3 called “The Yellow Option”, where I jump back to 2015 when LEGO’s “yellow minifig myth” was stretched to its limits. I also talk to LEGO fans of color who do use the yellow minifig to represent them. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/ClutchPower] Sources: * Hollywood’s Racism Exposed…by LEGO (Wired) [https://www.wired.com/2010/09/lego-racism/] * Everything is Racist (Wyatt Cenac [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbqIWfwg_U&t=1s]) * Why are Emojis Yellow? (Lily Alexandre [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vio9Yr0x4YY]) * The Smiley Face was Invented for Corporate America (Smithsonian Channel) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P78C_TFeqjU] * The Yellow LEGO Minifigure. Is it Black is it White? View from the kids eye. (Iceberg Bricks) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwc5qXdQMOc] * Inside the AC360 doll study (CNN) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYCz1ppTjiM] * The First and Last Time I Experienced Racism (Grindr) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlmQ1RqIgMs&t=36s] * People Tell The Stories Of The First Time They Experienced Racism! (Yours Truly) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1BggXkTrsM] * BILLY DEE WILLIAMS: Lando’s Significance to Star Wars, Chemistry with Diana Ross & Innate Smoothness (Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=901xpnICL30] * George Lucas talks STAR WARS, Coppola, gender/race + more from Cannes 2024 (That Shelf) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHXLsHOdPiw] * LEGO Booth Comic-Con 2015 (TrolleyTimeSD) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=306bnjk7g_0] * San Diego Comic-Con 2015: LEGO Booth Tour (GamesRadar) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXnnMfgptWQ] * DC & Lego Steal the Show at Comic-Con 2015! (fanlalatv) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmjv2RIZNOE] * Tested Goes to Comic-Con 2015! (Adam Savage’s Tested) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTxTPz-bnuw] * Billy Dee Williams • Interview (Star Wars/Lando Calrissian) • 1980 (Reelin’ In The Years Archive) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHD6EKro7RU] All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/www.nihilore.com]): * They Walked Into the Arms of Time * Alter Ego * Shape of a Gun 20100320.slide.projector.wav (cleaned) by dav0r -- https://freesound.org/s/500413/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Who REALLY runs your Bricks & Minifigs store?

There are over 250 Bricks & Minifigs stores that claim to be independent. But what kind of control does the corporate office have over its franchises? BAM (Bricks & Minifigs) is entrenched in Internet outrage, at least one lawsuit, and allegations flying around. Many BAM locations have come out with statements saying they are “locally owned and operated small business.” On this episode, I sit down with a franchise attorney to examine BAM’s Franchise Agreement [https://storage.googleapis.com/franchiseindx_fdds/Retail/Bricks%20&%20Minifigs_2025_s87xIG8s], how it compares to its Operations Manual, and some of the more uncommon aspects of that agreement. I also take those questions to Ammon McNeff, CEO of Bricks & Minifigs. In the spirit of transparency, I’ve put up the full, unedited interview with Ammon on my Patreon. You can view it for $2. * Join the Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/ClutchPower] Also, to address claims that I’m working with BAM or I’m in their camp, let me say: I have shared the full interview with Reckless Ben [https://www.youtube.com/@RecklessBen/], the YouTuber who put these allegations into the spotlight. I am more than willing to share any information I have with relevant parties. My loyalty is, and will always be, to the truth. All I ask is that these parties share in that loyalty to the truth. All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/www.nihilore.com]): * Alter Ego * Nonexistent * Building Nests in the Ruins

The Blight of the Boring Black Boxes

If you have even a passing interest in LEGO’s larger sets, you’re gonna run into the black boxes. And I, quite frankly, am sick of it. Today’s guest: Graham E. Hancock, writer and editor of Blocks Magazine [https://blocksmag.com/]. Blocks really carries on the spirit of mid-2000s LEGO Magazine with designer interviews, MOC showcases, and reviews of old LEGO themes. Each issue is massive and I can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into it behind the scenes. Graham’s actually been on Clutch Power before! In Episode 7: Just How Smart IS This Brick? [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/just-how-smart-is-this-brick-with], we talked about his hands-on experience with the LEGO Smart Brick the day it was announced. Although if you recognize his name, it’s probably from the thick tome LEGO Star Wars - The Force of Creativity [https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/the-force-of-creativity-standard-edition-5009141]. It’s everything you want to know about LEGO Star Wars up to 2024. If you want newer LEGO Star Wars news, I’ll point you to a special issue of Blocks Magazine: LEGO Star Wars Special Magazine [https://blocksmag.com/product/lego-star-wars-magazine-special/]. If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus act called “Fast Times at Mos Eisley High”. LEGO’s original Mos Eisley Cantina - from 2004 - actually has two [https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=4501-1&name=Mos%20Eisley%20Cantina,%20Blue%20box&category=%5BStar%20Wars%5D%5BStar%20Wars%20Episode%204/5/6%5D#T=S&O={%22iconly%22:0}] box [https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=4501-2&name=Mos%20Eisley%20Cantina,%20Original%20Trilogy%20Edition%20box&category=%5BStar%20Wars%5D%5BStar%20Wars%20Episode%204/5/6%5D#T=S&O={%22iconly%22:0}] variants, which is the only example I can find of this. Graham talks me through why this happened, which put to rest a 22-year-old mystery. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I re-created the LEGO black box with a stud for you to put…whatever you want on display! If LEGO’s gonna do it, I’m gonna do it, too! It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/ClutchPower] All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/www.nihilore.com]): * Alter Ego * Are You Happy * Diving Violence * Laissez Faire * Throne of the Soul * apeiros * Violence

LEGO's Secret Language

Welcome to the world of AFOLs, MOCs, BURPs, SNOT, greebles, and a bunch of other nonsense words LEGO fans use. Wondering where to begin? The author of a LEGO glossary can help. Today's guest: the charming Jim Winslett [http://jimwinslett.com/]! Jim is what I would describe as a hobbyist, and his website shows that: LEGOs, roller coasters, handbells, and his most recent obsession: British hip hop group Pete & Bas [https://www.instagram.com/pete_and_bas/]. This is the most philosophical episode I've done so far (but I have many more planned), and it was so fun to dive into the why behind hobby-speak. I'd love to hear from you about your favorite LEGO-isms, and what you've found difficult about getting into the LEGO hobby? I mention this in the episode, but if you're as deep into LEGO fandom as I am, you'll want to check out Disturbing the Piece podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@disturbingthepiecepod]. It is about a niche as a LEGO podcast can get (even more than this one, somehow) and it is so entertaining. If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “Pete and Bas and Jim." Jim tells me about his cancer diagnosis and how that hip hop group saved his life (his words - not mine). It's a genuinely great story. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! For this one it is the long-lost LEGO dictionary. I found it deep within the LEGO vaults and am proud to share it with the wide world. Just don't go broadcasting about it or I could get into trouble. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! * Join the Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/ClutchPower] All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/www.nihilore.com]): * Alter Ego * Against the Indifference * Black Light * Find Me in the Future * Consequences * Monolithic * Bones

That Time Minifigs Had Noses

LEGO Western may not be the shortest-lasting, the strangest, or the most problematic LEGO theme, but it’s up there. On this episode, a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly legacy of these 24 sets with one of the people who knows it best. Today’s guests include the one and only TrikBrix [https://www.youtube.com/@TrikBrix]! Jamie has huge Clutch Power guest energy with his deep dives into 80s and 90s LEGO themes, and I’m so happy I got to talk about LEGO Western with him. You can really tell how much he loves this theme - if his masterful retrospectives didn’t give it away: * The Gold Rush of 1996 [https://youtu.be/SBgMmFuZktU?si=CMmQX4tznmpQWiz1] * LEGO 6746 Chief’s Tepee [https://youtu.be/L7rSg9WClb0?si=2w8NCkJz3nBV8-_p] * LEGO 6718 Raindance Ridge (& Friends!) [https://youtu.be/xsSlSpONFMs?si=-Zs836IsmHFZ5Vrf] But honestly you can’t go wrong with any of his videos. Jamie has some of the highest quality LEGO content you’ll find, period, end of sentence. Every frame of his videos is a masterpiece. I’m also honored to introduce you to two scholars in Part 2 of this episode: * James Mackay [https://euc.ac.cy/en/faculty-profiles/james-mackay/], Associate Professor of Literature and Digital Cultures at European University Cyprus * Gregory Smithers [https://www.gregorysmithers.com/], Ph.D., author, professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University, and researcher Both of these men are absolute gems and gave me so much to ponder about Native American representation. I grew up in Alabama and my school didn’t give Native Americans a lot of focus - at least, not in the way you’d want in 2026. I can’t get over something James said - about how a “Native American LEGO set” is the same as a “white person LEGO set” or “black person LEGO set” which obviously would not fly. If you want to read more about LEGO and Native American representation, here are some great articles: * Native American Heritage and LEGO Representation (BrickNerd) [https://bricknerd.com/home/native-american-heritage-and-lego-representation-11-4-22] * Disappointing action behind LEGOLAND disappearing act (The Copenhagen Post) [https://cphpost.dk/2021-11-21/life-in-denmark/opinion/guest-opinion/] If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “The Music of 90s LEGO”. Jamie writes all the music for his videos, so I wanted to chat with him about his process, as well as throwing some curveball LEGO themes at him to see what kind of music he’d think up. Also - hot takes on Time Cruisers! You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I love this one: a classic Western standoff, with a sunset, silhouette, revolver. Man I love the Wild West. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/ClutchPower] Songs from: Nihilore (www.nihilore.com [https://clutchpower.substack.com/p/www.nihilore.com]): * A way WombatNoisesAudio: * Song: Cesare Rides Again * Website: https://soundcloud.com/user-734462061 * License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ * Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com And TrikBricks: * Wild West Background * Wild West Intro * Wild West Theme * Wild West - The Tribe