The introduction of a new line of black Barbie dolls from Mattel, labeled "So in Style" has resulted in a certain amount of backlash. The argument against the dolls includes the fact that the designers did not produce dolls that are "black enough." According to an ABC News brief, "Some say the dolls with long straight hair are not 'black enough' and do not address the beauty issues that many black girls struggle with." One might also point out that the release of these dolls will only cause more conflict because it distinguishes the differences between black women and women of other races. On the surface, the dolls may seem to be a helpful representation of a culture that had yet to be represented well in the Barbie world. However, when one takes a closer look at what lies underneath it becomes more clear that the dolls have the unfortunate potential to further segregate American society. Young girls who play with the dolls will soon recognize those specific features of the dolls that differentiate them from their white counterparts. Once these become more observable, young girls will be more apt to remember these distinguishing traits when they think of the African-American race. While it is true that the dolls are meant to celebrate the differences and recognize the distinctions of a young black woman, realistically, how many children from non-black households will be inclined to play with the dolls? When you create a doll as unique as these, the issue arises of highlighting the differences between these dolls and those that came before them. Once that happens, young girls will find themselves developing opinions for or against these black Barbie dolls, leading them down a path that can prove to be racially discriminatory.
Racial arguments aside, the dolls also pose image problems for young girls, as Barbie dolls have been doing for decades. The slender waist, long legs, and large breasts that have become a staple of Barbie dolls are now transferred onto these newer models. From the same ABC news article, "While white girls also deal with body-image issues, Kumea Shorter-Gooden, co-author of 'Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America,' believes Barbie has a more negative impact on black girls. They are already struggling with messages that 'black skin isn't pretty and our hair is too kinky and short.'" The debut of these dolls may generate low self-esteem as well as a poor self-image for young black girls that play with them. They will find that these dolls only further generate stereotypes and supplement those that already exist. As a nation, we are known for the freedoms we value, the diversity we embrace, and the unity we are capable of achieving. Unfortunately we tend to want to categorize and group individuals into various factions. In numerous cases our pride for our unique individual cultures and races becomes the very issue that can tear us apart and ruin what unity we may still have. While the intended purpose of these dolls may be to break barriers and present a line of dolls that young black girls can identify with, I fear this will not happen. These dolls may well become another symbol of the differences that separate youth.
