Hasbro replaces ‘outdated’ Community Chest cards in Monopoly in ‘woke’ makeover

Toy company Hasbro, Inc announced on Thursday that it is updating its popular board game Monopoly.

For the first time in 85 years, all 16 of the famous Community Chest cards are being changed to appeal to a more modern audience.

Prompts on the yellow cards including having to pay $50 for ‘doctor’s fees’ and winning $10 for ‘coming in second place in a beauty contest.’

New cards will require players to pay for donating to an animal shelter, failing to recycle the trash or not choosing to shop local. 

‘Covering topics like beauty contests, holiday funds, and life insurance, there is no denying the Monopoly game’s Community Chest Cards are long overdue for a refresh,’ Hasbro said in a statement. 

‘And, coming out of the tumultuous year of 2020, the term “community” has taken on a whole new meaning.’ 

It is unclear if Hasbro will no longer sell versions of Monopoly with the traditional cards.

 Toy company Hasboro announced it is updating all 16 Community Chest cards featured on the Monopoly board game

Executives said they want the cards to appeal to a more modern audience and reflect 'what community means' in 2021

Executives said they want the cards to appeal to a more modern audience and reflect ‘what community means’ in 2021

On the traditional board game, there are three Community Chest spaces positioned across the board.

If a player lands on one of the Community Chest spots, they have to draw a yellow card that results in them either owing money to the bank or collecting money from other players.

One of the cards can send a player to the ‘Jail Space’ on the board while another card – Get out of Jail Free – lets them leave Jail or they can sell it to another player.   

All of the cards will be replaced with more ‘charitable’ tasks.

This includes helping the elderly, taking out the recycling, and supporting local businesses. 

he game's traditional cards required players to $50 for 'doctor's fees' or $150 for a 'school tax' - or winning $10 for 'coming in second place in a beauty contest'

he game’s traditional cards required players to $50 for ‘doctor’s fees’ or $150 for a ‘school tax’ – or winning $10 for ‘coming in second place in a beauty contest’

Monopoly board game players can still be sent to jail but for a seemingly ‘rude’ acts such as blasting music late at night.  

There will also be a ‘get out of jail free’ cards, but for humanitarian acts such as rescuing a puppy.

Fans will get to choose which cards will replace the new Monopoly by voting in an online poll. Winners will be announced on the company’s Instagram page.

‘The world has changed a lot since Monopoly became a household name more than 85 years ago, and clearly today community is more important than ever,’ Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer at Hasbro, said in a statement.

‘We felt like 2021 was the perfect time to give fans the opportunity to show the world what community means to them through voting on new Community Chest Cards. We’re really excited to see what new cards get voted in!’

Hasbro says the updated Monopoly game with the new Community Chest cards will be available to purchase in the fall. 

New cards will have players pay money for acts such as failing to recycle the trash or winning money for running a non-profit's social media account

New cards will have players pay money for acts such as failing to recycle the trash or winning money for running a non-profit’s social media account

The new 'Go to Jail' cards will be due to acts such as playing music too loudly but for 'rescuing a puppy,' the player can get out of jail for free

The new ‘Go to Jail’ cards will be due to acts such as playing music too loudly but for ‘rescuing a puppy,’ the player can get out of jail for free

Fans can vote on the new cards in an online poll and the updated version of the game will be available to buy in the fall

Fans can vote on the new cards in an online poll and the updated version of the game will be available to buy in the fall

Hasbro also announced that it will be holding its first ever Monopoly Charity Classic later this year.

The game will be played by four celebrities with a chance to win a portion of the Community Chest for a charity of their choice.

Fans who tune in to watch the stream on YouTube will be among the first to see some of the new cards that will appear.

People took to social media to express their outrage over what they feel is an unneeded change.

‘Monopoly is getting a WOKE makeover!!’ tweeted one user.

Another wrote: ‘I’m seeing my fond childhood memories being burned to the ground’ along with a red-faced emoji. 

People took to social media to express their outrage over what they feel is an unneeded change to the game

People took to social media to express their outrage over what they feel is an unneeded change to the game

The change to the game comes on the heels of a new essay from The Atlantic, which revealed the original Monopoly board game was inspired by segregated Atlantic City in the 1930s.

Author Mary Pilon revealed the property prices reflected deep racial disparities between white and black residents.

Pilon explained that’s why streets like Park Place and Pennsylvania Avenue could be worth up to $400 on the board.

However, streets in minority neighborhoods, like Baltic Avenue, could be worth just $60 on the board.