An image of a brown Barbie doll has surfaced on the Internet, causing people to question whether or not it is supposed to be the next African-American Barbie. The doll is sporting blonde hair, gold chains, cleavage, and two bags that are strikingly similar to the Louis Vuitton monogram multicolor collection.
Many African-Americans find the doll’s appearance offensive, stating that it does not exude the true beauty of African-American women. The truth is, though, the doll strongly resembles imagery of African-American women that is seen in some of the most famous celebrities (e.g. Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, etc.).
The only difference I see between Beyoncé, for example, and the doll is that the doll’s skin color is darker than Beyoncé’s. If we want to change the imagery of the African-American woman, we have to start exalting celebrities and other prominent figures in the black community that represent the imagery that we’d like people around the world to embrace.
We all know that African-American women come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, so it doesn’t mean that the community can not embrace multiple images of beauty in the community. If you believe Beyoncé’s look is a classic image of African-American women, continue to support her and don’t become offended when people around the globe perceive African-American women to look the same way that she does.
If you believe India Arie is the perfect example of black beauty, support her as well. As a community, we’ve got to grow out of becoming offended when people of other ethnicities define our appearance and/or actions. They are simply conveying what they believe we support. If we want to change the way we are perceived by other cultures, we have to make the change within ourselves.
This is no excuse to defend prejudice and persons who believe that all black men are criminals because they see black men on the news 24/7. There is a clear indication of systemic racism that severely influences the way we’re perceived across the world; however, we must take accountability and refute these negative images by exalting positive images.
This is a fake. Mattel came out against this. http://news.msn.com/rumors/rumor-this-is-the-new-african-american-barbie
I have now seen this post 6 times by six different people each with 100’s of comments trailing it.
We gonna boycott Barbie! My child ain’t never gonna play with that doll again they don’t respect us!
Well that is true “they” really don’t and “they” probably never will. However my my brothers and sisters please stay calm for this is not a real Barbie by the makers of Mattel this is a customized barbie by a black woman no-less for adult collectors check the link http://www.flickriver.com/groups/72724166@N00/pool/interesting/ .
Now, I am responding not because I feel a need to defend Barbie cuz that chic does have issues, however sofar those issues have not directly been related to race. Barbies image issues and the pressure she puts on girls and women to look a certain way are universal.
I am responding to the way we just jump on these images and visuals we see on social media and take them as truth and gospel without getting any additional info about what we are actually seeing or commenting on.
Folks are calling for “heads to roll” but don’t know where to swing the ax. Stop with this mob mentality and group think. When I saw the image it was shocking so I looked it up and discovered where it actually came from (not Mattel the maker of Barbie) before I responded. It amazes me how we get all worked up about these silly nonsensical things especially those things that don’t exists in the manner they are being presented to us.
Speaking of things don’t exists in the manner they are being presented to us, if we gonna mob up lets mob up over things like how the LAPD did more bodily harm then man they were hunting or …Bigger lets grab our axes and roll some heads on how a man who was never found guilty of anything because he never got his day in court was burnt alive (allegedly) “Rosewood Style” can I get an “I am Christopher Dorner” no too big oh alright we’ll stick to barbie.
“That bitch gotta go with her blonde weave and them designer pocketbooks she cant afford with her titties all hanging out. Oh no not you Sis , I meant the barbie.”
excuse the language in the post, it was originally posted to my Facebook page, I should have cleaned it up a bit before I posted it here, I was just so fired up about the response this image received.
I like this image, because it really does look like a Black woman rather than a doll with dark skin with white features which is what Black baby dolls used to look like. While I don’t like Blond hair on most Black women, I can relate to her large breasts which I do have except I cover mine up. Regardless of all that,she is still very stylishly dressed,has a calm demeanor,and looks like she takes care of her business. I like it! Black people this is what you look like! Stop hating and start embracing! Black was beautiful in the 60’s and 70’s and IT STILL IS!
Sadly while it may not portray their beauty, it is one that accurately portrays the image that black women have allowed to be shown of them. RHWOA and other shows show this image and black women have remained silent when words, and actions could change it. Sadly they haven no one but themselves to blame for this.
This doesnt portray the beauty African women