If you have read a few of my other articles, you know that I am a huge advocate for inclusive beauty. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that everyone deserves to feel beautiful; thoughts of body positivity and confidence should greet you every morning. I've written about my opinion on the vernacular of beauty products selling the term "color correcting." When it comes to our skin, whether it be the color of it or the condition of it, we are constantly being criticized on it.
Fortunately, I am only one of many that think this very way, and people are taking action against beauty standards. Artist Kay Black is creating a line of dolls with skin conditions, in particular the skin condition vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in patches. People with this skin condition often feel the need to cover up with makeup and fall victim to very low self esteem. Dolls normally produced favor white skin tones, leaving people of color and people with skin conditions such as vitiligo excluded.
Kay is also creating dolls with naturally curly hair and freckles so that everyone feels celebrated and included. Kids are no longer dressing Barbie and Polly Pocket; they are being exposed to the idea at a young age that people are different, and our differences are what make us beautiful.
Children of all different skin colors and skin conditions have been swooning over Barbie's light, even skin tone. Engaging with this one skin tone only leads children into the world of racism and insecurities at a young age. By playing with dolls who look like them, have it be with freckles, curly hair, or vitiligo, we are teaching them how to be inclusive and love themselves and others.
Kay is also coming out with dolls depicting albanism, a skin condition seldom talked about in the beauty industry. Her production of dolls that are actually real expose children to the natural beauty as it occurs in the real world, not just in the unrealistic world of acne, freckle-free, white Barbie.
It is often quoted that no child is born racist. Children are not born prejudiced to others' differences, and by incorporating normal, natural beauty into their toys and everyday life, perhaps they will grow to break beauty standards later in life.
Growing up is hard enough without impossible beauty standards. Showing kids that there are differences by incorporating them into play and replacing Barbies with these dolls celebrating differences in beauty is an outstanding way to introduce children into positive self image.
Thank you, Kay Black, for making a huge impact in breaking beauty standards and for introducing this accepting and welcoming mindset to kids at a young age.
