Yo! Youth OutLook

 

Mattel has planned to release the latest Black Barbie doll. When I younger and my mother bought me a Barbie Doll, it came with a few accessories. Maybe a comb, or an extra set of clothes. On time, my uncle bought me one that you could dye the Barbie’s hair green. That was maybe 13 years ago. Now, Mattel is boldly making what I call, “Baby Mama Dolls”.

When you look at the packaging of the new doll she comes with a few new accessories.

Which include:

A hair straightening comb, to straighten out her weave.

Big Gold Earrings

Big “50 Cent” Chain

And my personal shocker…A BABY!

Now, I’ve heard the rumor that this is supposed to be her “sister” but I have to strongly disagree. I remember way back , when it was still looked on as shameful to be a teenage mother, the mother of the teenage mother would take the baby and raise it as her own. So, the real mother would refer to the baby as her “brother or sister.” I think the same is happening  here. The marketing people said, “Let's give her a baby too!” But the head of the team said, “No, that’s going to cause too much controversy. Just say it’s her sister.” You're not fooling me.

Mattel was looking for a story and they got one. But people aren’t really seeing it for what it is. This doll is supposed to represent Black teenagers in America.

Is that all you see us as? Weave wearing, Big Earring and Chain, Baby Mamas? I would have loved a doll to have a modern twist, as far as the clothing goes. But the baby just set it over the top. Next you're going to see the new black Ken doll, Tyrone. His accessories? Saggy Pants, Black Hooded Sweater, and a gun in the back of his pants. His, “Little Brother” is actually is son by the other baby mama doll. Mattel is really taking this too far, and needs to be stopped before they influence a younger generations of teen mothers. I could hear the interview now, “So why did you view teen pregnancy as OK?” “My black Barbie was a teen mother. Now I’m just like Barbie!”

-- Alicia Marie

 

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