While on the search for any new information about the new SiS dolls, I’d stumbled across this blog and found these interesting articles.
Ann Ducille on “Ethnic” Barbies @ Sociological Images 081027
White As Beautiful, Black As White @ Sociological Images 080320
These blog articles discuss how the standards of white beauty defines black beauty and how “ethnic barbie dolls” reinforce a westernised view of different cultures and ethnic groups.
The second article showcases some make up ads that show white models alongside black models who look very much like a black twin of the white model.
Barbie Loves MAC Collection
These images also show that black women can naturally have features that are more associated with European women, well… of course there is great genetic variance within the vast continent of Africa, it is the cradle of human life after all.
So the problem isn’t making too many dolls that might look like white girls in black paint it is more an issue of not enough black girls showcasing other black features. Variety/diversity is key here.
BTW I didn’t find anything new about the SiS dolls – I tend to end up coming back here to this website which is a bit annoying because I already know what I’ve written!
Tags: black beauty, ethnic dolls, white beauty
Umm idk tht barbie doesnt look black i think she looks more hispanic unless shes a mulatto but not even…she has tht native brown color. She looks peruvian or colombian. But then again she could be indian
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Therese Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Black – especially in the Americas – can mean any mix that has any bit of African ancestry. Yes, it’s true she could be any of the backgrounds you’ve mentioned, I doubt she is full blood African (very few multi-generation blacks in the Americas are) but it is very possible she has some African mix in her. Who are we to define what is “black enough” or “not black enough”?
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PS that picture at the top with the 2 women…one black and the other one white….you said that they were 2 different women that looked like twins. I just wanted to inform you that its the same white lady, not two different women. Its make up and photoshop…
Thats all…
Thanks
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Zetma,
Not it isn’t. The black model –who is afro-brazilian btw–is Emanuela de Paula and the white model is Mona Johanneson. The fashion world, or anyone for that matter, can easily get women of two different races who look very similar.
Here’s Emanuela de Paula
http://primeirafila.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/emanuela-de-paula-2.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Bf3V-
RKSMI/SWPnpnwKWCI/AAAAAAAAMYA/lJDrRBm_3A4/S264/sexy-emanuela-de-paula-victoria-secret-bikini-2008.jpg
Other Pictures of the MAC Barbie Ad
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEctrNqIX_0/SidiOgOHUDI/AAAAAAAAB8A/d8yFRgX3Xu4/s400/MAC+Barbie.jpg
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