Mattel has finally updated its Barbie line to include an African-American doll that isn’t just Barbie colored brown. This new “So In Style” line features a trio of dolls with varying skin tones, long hair, and each with her own younger sister to mentor. The new line is the brainchild of Stacey McBride-Irby, who says “I want them to see themselves within these dolls, and let them know that black is beautiful.”
However, no change is ever free of some controversy, and this time around is no different. Critics of the dolls decry the lack of short, curly hair, saying that the continued depiction of long hair imposes an unrealistic standard of beauty on children. None of the dolls have afros or braided hair, and parents are concerned that children who do have hair like that will feel that their hair is somehow inferior.
However, growing up as a predominantly Filipino boy in Hawaii, I can tell you that some change, no matter how small, is positive change. I have never had a doll or action figure that looked anything like me, and it never bothered me. Not all play involves the self; many times a child will play the identity of the doll itself. While not negating the viewpoint of those who feel that the “So In Style” line hasn’t gone far enough, we need to remember that this is a foot in the door, and that future dolls will likely feature greater changes — especially if these early models do well.
Comments
Jane
October 10th, 2009 - 9:14:00 PM
I think that is really awesome and long overdue!
Minerva
November 24th, 2009 - 3:56:17 AM
This is great and certainly it is long overdue. I wouldn't say it's "unrealistic" (huh??) because the dolls have long hair...there are plenty of African-American women with long hair in the US that is their own. However, as with ANYONE ELSE, it would be great to see less of a one-dimensional standard of beauty. Some diversity in the hair length and texture would be great... But then, I'd say the same for even Caucasian-American Barbie dolls, as well.