Did anyone see the story on CNN.com today about black barbies that are redone to look more"black"? Meaning that their hair is redone to make it look more natural-- like kinky curls,etc? What do you think?? HMMM.. I think this is quite interesting.
Heres the thing, black comes in different shades. Being black is like being a crayone in a Crayola box-- there are many shades-- there is brown, tan, black, peach-- all people these shades can consider themselves black, African-American.
Ok now to the Barbie.Barbie is made by Mattel. Mattel has done a GREAt job making the peach and tan Barbie.It looks like they just took the white Barbie and dipped it in tan plastic. Now has Mattel done a good job making a "black" Barbie?? Of course not!!! I dont know one lady who is black and has naturally long silky hair..She may have long silky hair that she paid for, a weave, but it wont be natural.Seeing Barbies, on the mass level, being sold who have braids, cornrows in a classy way is unheard of.Seeing Barbies/dolls with hair that is worn "naturally" is unheard of.Unfortunatley, the word "doll" gets interchanged with the word"Barbie'.Sorry Mattel. The point is that, doll babies still have a long way to go.If Mattel can advance their Hot wheels cars (which they have) , then why cant they update their dolls and diversify them? if they need to hire more black toy designers or consultants, then do it.
Heres the thing, toys are for EVERYONE!! So if you work for a toy company, the field/place has to be diversified in order to ensure that you are hearing everyones side to the story, including everyones background and race.the more diversified the work place, the better the toys will be because they will be marketed to everyone.In summary, i like the idea of the black Barbie getting new hair, after all, isnt Brbie the style icon we all strive to be like?
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