Barbie’s new Trichelle doll has an artistic side, plus a little sister named Janessa to mentor.
Barbie is known for wearing many hats, being a world traveler even. But when it comes to ethnicity, she doesn’t go far.
Often, she’s just painted a darker color and given a new outfit. It’s not easy finding diversity in the doll aisle.
Many women remember their first Barbie and longing to be tall and pretty like her. But hardly any of us look like her. It’s just not realistic, not even for little white girls with blond hair and blue eyes.
But our mothers tried hard to find a good fit. For Julee Jonez, it was Christie—Mattel’s sad attempt at the first black Barbie. For me, it was Hawaiian Barbie, my mama’s effort to find a biracial looking Barbie. Allison Crumley’s mom had it even harder trying to unearth a doll that looked both Asian and white. She ditched Barbie for Cabbage Patch Kids.
Now, we’re all grown and times have changed. The president is mixed. Sonia Sotomayor made history as the first Latina Supreme Court justice. And on a smaller level, Disney will introduce its first African-American princess in December, with the movie The Princess and the Frog. Barbie won’t be left out of the game. Mattel has finally made a praiseworthy effort: So In Style, a collection of African-American dolls designed by a black designer and mom, Stacey McBride-Irby.
There are three main characters, Grace, Trichelle and Kara. They each have different styles, interests, skin tones and a little sister to mentor.
Julee, 36, says it’s cool to see the new Barbie line because it’s when you are a little girl that you start to build esteem, and it’s important to see realistic images and be encouraged to embrace yourself instead of crave for something unattainable. As a child, she struggled with self-image.
“I was the first black in my neighborhood, so I was dubbed ‘cute for a black girl.’ To black folks, I didn’t look ‘black enough,”‘ says Julee, Hot 103 Jamz on-air personality.
“Self-esteem and acceptance can really cloud your mind and judgment. We really have to protect our girls over what beauty really is, and we have to make sure we aren’t falling prey as adults.”
This is why she hopes to see Mattel broaden its dolls’ looks with all kinds of hairstyles, including short and natural. Like me, she’s eyeing Trichelle for her nieces. She is the artsy So In Style Barbie. She has big, curly hair, a wider nose and some curves.
Allison Crumley, 23, applauds the effort, but she doesn’t bother with Barbies, Bratz and such for her 3-year-old daughter, Nani.
“It’s harder to find dolls that she can totally identify with because she is black, white and Filipino. I don’t think toy companies are realistic. They need to diversify, especially for multiracial kids. There are so many different cultural blends. Maybe they are just overwhelmed with the possibilities.”
While Allison doesn’t buy into Barbie, she is excited about Disney’s array of princesses and heroines. Nani is excited to see The Princess and the Frog, and Allison can’t wait to take her to see it.
I share their enthusiasm. I’ve already started counting down the days for opening weekend. I even bought the Carol’s Daughter Magical Beauty Collection inspired by princess Tiana for my nieces.
It’s important that little girls feel celebrated. I hope to see dedication to diversity in the toy aisles and on TV. Not just for black girls, but all girls—because the world’s little girls are a lot more than just black and white.
