Eve's great, no matter where she goes
Dress her up from her head to her toes
On the town, at the ball
Eve loves high fashion
After dark at the club
She'll spend the whole night dancing - Lifesize Tyra Banks
I once recall not long ago, being a little girl who collected barbie dolls. Every birthday, holiday, or allowance, I would save as much as I could to spend all of my hard earnings of approximately ten dollars, to purchase a Barbie doll. Having my mother take me shopping was always quite an adventure.
I remember being thrilled to pick out a Barbie doll. In my earlier ages of childhood, I realized I did not have the privilege of finding a Barbie that looked anything like me; brown skin, brown eyes, dark hair.
Most people are unaware of the impact that their skin tone might have on them. But at age five, I was quickly made aware of my in-differences. My excitement level would quickly plummet when I couldn't find a Barbie doll that looked like me.
Depending on which store, or the time of the season, there would maybe be two or three Barbies of color. So when the movie Lifesize came out on Disney channel, starring Tyra Banks, I tuned in as stary eyed young girl of color who could relate to Tyra. The cheesy singing, amazing fashion, and of course a talking Barbie doll. Ah-mazing!
Mattel deciding to announce a new line is long overdue, but only appropriate. The revamp of Barbie in 2016 is more important now than ever because of what is happening in America. Since the beginning of Barbie, the doll has symbolized a reflection of history and the times.
There is a huge cultural shift happening in America specifically. Therefore, it is no longer appropriate to offer the predominately all-American blue eyes, blonde hair, skinny barbie doll. Only a small portion of society looks like that.
This new line will be featuring seven different skin colors, 22 eye colors, and 24 different hair styles. The line will also be incorporating four new body types. This is also an important message to send to young girls as well. Accept your body as is; curves, love handles, scars, bow-leggedness.
As a woman, we are constantly bombarded with body image media. Subconsciously, we are unaware of that fact that playing with Barbie dolls can shift or alter are perception of what society sees as beautiful.
Therefore, if you do not fit into this mold you are considered less than. If Barbie were a real woman according to the Daily Mail, "She would stand 6 feet tall, weigh 100 pounds, have a 39-inch bust, a 19-inch waist, and the hips of a prepubescent boy."
If there is anything to be taken away from this new Barbie launch, it is that change is good. Change can be uncomfortable, but it's reflective of what society currently needs.
