"It's Bigger Than Barbie"
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

"It's Bigger Than Barbie"

The iconic Barbie doll has a new look, and it might just start a beauty revolution.

92
"It's Bigger Than Barbie"
Barbie Media

This past week, Barbie debuted a whole new look. After receiving decades' worth of criticism on Barbie's weight and skin tone, Mattel Inc. released the 2016 Fashionistas®. This is the biggest change Barbie has seen in her 57-year history. The new Barbies come in four body types, seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. The unifying factor is that they all still sport the same iconic fashionable clothing and accessories.

Not everyone, however, is impressed by Barbie's new line. Many have taken to social media to complain and critique the new age of Barbies. A friend of mine voiced her own misgivings about Fashionista Barbie:

"Women should not have to look at a Barbie doll and say, 'Oh hey, this is how I think I'm going to look or how I want to look when I'm older.' I don't look at a Barbie doll, I look at all of the women who are supposed to be figures in my life. And I think for a lot of girls that may be models and celebrities.

When the new Barbie commercial came out I watched it and saw that they picked a black girl, a fat girl, a Hispanic girl and the politically correct white girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. You're trying too hard to create diversity there. You know what, I am African-American and I still played with the blonde Barbie. But I also had Dr. Mae Jemison, who was the first African-American astronaut going into space.

I think you can play with whoever and you don't have to try so hard to be politically correct about it. It's great that they tried to appease what other people were thinking, but it's kind of bigger than Barbie. Yeah, you can change the Barbie dolls, but what about the real women who are trying to emulate Barbie? The models tell you that fat is not OK; Barbie can't talk."

Barbie was originally created to be a representation of every girl. Creator Ruth Handler said, “My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” By offering all these new looks, Barbie is tackling a problem that is bigger than Barbie; she's highlighting a major cultural issue. The media portrays beauty in one light. Girls are taught to conform to strict regimens that will keep them thin. It's OK to be "curvy," but it's not OK to be plus-sized. Dark-skinned women are constantly white-washed on the covers of magazines.

But maybe the times are changing. Aerie is no longer retouching their models with Photoshop. #BlackGirlMagic is trending to remind women everywhere that black is beautiful. Gina Rodriguez has become an empowering voice for Latinas. So what does this mean for the new Barbie? Recently, "Glamour" asked little girls what they think about traditional Barbie and then showed them the new line. The video below shows their responses.

To some, Barbie might just be a doll. But to many young girls, she's a friend, an inspiration, and a role model. Maybe there is forced diversity in the campaign and it's all just a ploy for Mattel to increase sales. Maybe it's time to stop being politically correct. You decide. But know that no matter what, the 2016 Fashionistas® are revolutionary. Who would have imagined that a plastic figurine could spark a conversation on feminism and body diversity?

The new promotional video says it all: "It's important for Barbies to look different, you know, like the real people in the world... We have to let girls know, it doesn't matter what shape you come in, that anything is possible... Imagination comes in all shapes and sizes."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

91220
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

65920
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments