WSJ Asks: Are the New Barbies Black Enough?
Posted on December 4, 2009
Ann Zimmerman of The Wall Street Journal asks the question: "Are the New Barbies Black Enough?" She's referring to the new So in Style Barbie doll line by Mattel which offers several black dolls in a variety of skin shades and hairstyles.
The company went to a lot of trouble to solicit input from black women on the look of the dolls, which have a variety of skins shades. But the criticism continues.
Cheryl Nelson-Grimes, a mother of a 7-year-old girl Queens, N.Y. resident, tells the WSJ, " I thought it was unfortunate that once again we're given a doll with hair that is so unlike the vast majority of black women. I feel very strongly that I want my daughter to love herself for who she is and not believe that using a hot comb or straightening her hair is the only way to be beautiful."
Mattel is listening to the complaints. In Fall of 2010 the line will be expanded. At least one doll with have a Afro hairstyle. The designer of the So In Style line Stacey McBride-Irby said she created the line so that her own 6 year-old daughter could have dolls that looked like her. McBride-Irby says that she loved playing with dolls that have long hair, so she wanted the dolls to have hair that girls could braid or curl or put in a ponytail.
She also gave the Barbies little sisters to encourage mentoring and made sure to make the dolls well-rounded in their interests in life. On the side of box their interests are listed as "science, cheerleading, art, journalism, math and music."
Here's a video about the design of the new dolls from Mattel