I have such mixed feelings about the Ida B. Wells Barbie Doll (along with the other black historical figures marketed by Mattel).
On one hand, I am extremely excited that Mattel is commemorating black historical women in the form of a doll, and on the other I wish it was “a black owned company” getting the recognition for this endeavor and the profits from it.
Just admitting and writing this makes me feel un-Christian on so many levels. But it is a truth, that even unspoken, resides in the thoughts of people who are constantly standing before the face of injustice, inequality.
This needs to be said.
It is also one of those conversations that happens in black communities focused on these issues that could never happen (at raw levels of transparency) in others. (Take a moment to learn about the Ida B. Wells doll and answer the question, Who was Ida B. Wells?)
Between Grateful & Sad
Sometimes I find myself in this middle place.
I should be happy that we have major companies recognizing and honoring legends in back history, right?
People might say, “We should all be grateful that a company like Mattel entered the controversy of Civil Rights in the late 60s with the Christie doll, Barbie’s shopping buddy. Or that there would be a Latina Barbie, Teresa, in the 80s.”
After all, it’s better than nothing at all, right? Wrong! And that’s the problem I have.
I get it! There is a kinda, sorta reason to celebrate right? Mattel has done more than ANY toy company of its time to intervene in inequality issues for women of color.
It is not that I don’t see or appreciate the effort. Rather, it is all of this pint up frustration and longing to see the next level across the board. The kind of next level that shakes up everything so severely that the end result is felt to the core of our souls!
I will be will be purchasing the Ida B. Wells doll! Why? Well, Ida B. Wells has been my hero since I was a little girl. Her legacy is the face of investigative journalism in the United States. It was through her work on documenting, publishing and exposing the lynching epidemic that we can validate these events occurred.
And she was one of the greatest inspirations of my own professional journalism history.
Without her contribution, the lives of the lynched would only be stories passed down and speculation running through this cynical world. Very few news articles have mentioned her compilations of proven lynchings, “The Red Record,” but they are talking up the Barbie doll.
Those who died should be remembered. Their lives were significant. Well’s cause and work was necessary.
Putting her in doll form on the shelves of major retailer carries a different message than that of the other historical figures so graciously honored up to now. We should know that. And while its somewhat of a next level, it still seems unbelievably incomplete overall.
Two Considerations
But somehow, this particular “statement piece” has me wishing the profits were flowing into a source whose efforts of activism against racism and inequality rang louder – not just during a particular heritage month.
What if these commemorative dolls were tied into CURRENT social issues. Yes, I know the undertones are there.
But if one more person says, “It’s better than nothing, or that we should be grateful for the tiny steps of acknowledgement before us… I think I’ll scream!”
Barbie had a whole book, cartoon, television and movie career when I was growing up. Today, she’s a social media influencer with video games, interactive websites, and her own Barbie-hive. What if these historical figures were woven into her pretend life on the big screen?
It’s possible! We see many other children programming initiatives including education in the classroom taking up issues that make the most conservative among us cringe. Yet, issues of truth, justice and matter of record concerning racial equality seems to be too much.
(Check out the article, Thank You Queen Cicely Tyson!)
The Voice of Change
I guess I am hoping for more companies who capitalize off of black culture to violently become a voice of change. Nike, for example, will forever have my respect for recognizing this truth. What a risk!
We can barely get multi-cultural congregations to recognize the truths that this corporation has.
Doing good deeds for others “Barbie-style” is wonderful, right? That brand has been all about women’s rights as we’ve shifted across decades and into representing the millennial woman. We have seen more color roll from the pallets of the Mattel corporation in the last 15 years than anyone could imagine. While at the same time:
Barbie has managed to escape all kinds of deep rooted, national controversies. She has been forever single and has never been pregnant. It’s been her friends that brought the trouble. Do you remember Midge, the short-lived, unmarried pregnant teen doll with the pop-out belly-baby?
She suddenly vanished from store shelves. Then re-appeared with a husband and kid sometime later and postured as a “happy family.”
To me, these dolls are still attempting to represent that “happy family” place despite their controversy. It’s that subtle message again that needs a bigger voice.
I really want this doll – but I want it because of the legacy…. not the hype!
The Inward Faith Conversation
My faith requires that I shift my thinking in this situation to the Kingdom. My plight as a black woman who longs to see justice for marginalized racial groups, disabled populations and women, leaves me in this aweful in-between place sometimes.
How? Well, the congregation I see seems a far cry from this kind of consideration right now.
I should not feel as if I have to choose between honoring my heritage and honoring the Lord. But I also recognize that unless a person has walked in my shoes as a woman of color, it can be a struggle to even empathize with what I am sharing in this post.
These rivers of emotion rise up that move from frustration and disillusionment to justice and equality. It’s like autopilot sometimes because of the lack of compassion or the earnest desire of others to understand.
I can’t help but think about how many dolls will be sold as “collector’s items” without any regard for the reformation Ida B. Wells brought to her people. They will never really understand the NECESSITY of her calling or its impact on TODAY.
The symbol is significant to me ONLY BECAUSE of the intentionality of her life and contribution to the lives of all black people in the United States.
According to MSN Money, Mattel is worth .6 billion. Their philanthropic activity exceeds $10 million in charity and programming benefiting children and child related initiatives according to their public annual report.
Again, this is an honorable initiative and clearly in line with Mattel’s organizational mission.
But it’s heartbreaking to see the message of justice and equality shrouded in all the cash that will surely come and not address the core issues legends like Wells carried at their core. Where are their stories in Barbie’s life as an influencer, an American icon?
Bigger Steps Needed For the Future
Who knows, the Mattel Corporation and their partnership could very well move toward a more educational initiative, a unique next level of authentic, bolder activism. But then again, it might remain as it always has.
I could argue that we need to see increasing numbers of manufacturers taking these steps, especially the ones who have traditionally capitalized on black culture the most by incorporating our music, language, clothing styles, hair products, style, etc. I could also argue that as a community that has seen tremendous success over the years, we still have much work to do as well.
Today, there was simply a need for me to lay these thoughts on the table… as I navigate this life.
Truly, I am grateful to see such a well-deserving legend honored. I honor the family of this heroine who is seeing so much of her legacy acknowledged in this century.
It’s why I have this excitement on one side that can hardly be contained, and then this sadness on the other.
I’m not angry. I am simply overwhelmed by a desire for broader acknowledgement of the significant parts of our collective history, and this burning in my heart to see justice roll over us like a river.
Some might read this and say, I am being unfair and ungrateful.
The truth is: I am simply sharing the frustration so many people are afraid to utter in the faith, and in my community. I am hoping to take the veil down through my blog every once in a while. I am standing in expectation for the healing of this nation for all people groups.
May we care. (Check out the blog, “A Nation Built on a False Marriage Covenant”)
(The image used in this article is in public domain.)
