In normal human language…
Token Color – one of some ethnicities NOT European-Caucasian (because Caucasians aren’t neccessarily all of European descent even though the common usage of the word implies otherwise).
BB Model 05 & SiS RW Grace – Barbie Basics Model #05 AND So in Style Rocawear Grace
Why is BB Model 05 a token?
She is the only East Asian representation in the Barbie Basics line up of 12 dolls. No South Asian (Desi, Subcontinental, Indian), Eurasian (Central and Western Asia, Native American peoples) or SE/Oceanic Asian (Malay, Polynesian) in the line up even. She is supposed to represent all of Asia’s diversity? Tough job kiddo.
back of Barbie Basics box (sideways)
token (east) asian
Why is SiS RW Grace a token?
Well, she is MY token SiS doll because these dolls are not available in Australia. I don’t understand why more African American/dark skinned dolls aren’t sold here… we (the consumers ka-ching $$$) buy European-Caucasian dolls with no problems, why not sell us dark skinned dolls as well? We DO have people with dark skin here outside the USA y’know… many may not be American but we do have African communities here and African people aren’t the only people with dark skin. Sometimes I feel like I’m preaching to myself on this topic *sigh*
she's my pretty dolly ^_^
Also… MANY MANY MANY thanks to DBG of Black Doll Collecting for going out of her way to find and send me these dolls!
Tags: african american, asian, dark skin, debbie garret, international availability, little black dress, outside America, so in style, tokenism
Congratulations on getting your dolls. They are pretty.
Hope 2010 holds more ethnic dolls for us all.
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Therese Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I dunno about dolls, I think social attitudes and politics will have to change first… the dolls will continue to reflect the dynamics of real life.
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*sigh*
I’m not really sold on model no. 5. I don’t know why. Maybe because she’s too pale. And if Asians like me won’t buy dolls like her, would it reinforce the notion that Asian dolls are not that marketable enough?
I certainly don’t want to buy a doll just to prove otherwise.
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Therese Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
LOL… setting us up for a fail? *sigh*
Personally I really like her but only one Asian doll to choose from? Not really fair is it? That said, I think she appeals to the American market – she is very china-doll-ish *more sigh*
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jedifreac Reply:
September 11th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Yeah, the China-dollness is such a turn off. She looks creepy.
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Please stop referring to or categorizing Native Americans as Asian. We are not Asian. WE are a distinct people and totally different culture. It is disrespectful. Thank you.
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Therese Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Native Americans do not have “recent” Asian origins but they did come from Asia tens of thousands of years ago, and in terms of the age of modern humans, that’s actually quite recent. Or would you prefer that I refer to all people as Africans since all humans originate from Africa including Asians AND Native Americans.
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Willyssa Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Yes, every ethnicity does eventually go back to Africa. Understanding this then you should not only include Native Americans as Asian. Many other cultures were still migrating the world after my ancestors walked this land. Ask any Native American today and you will get the same reply – we are not Asian. What about Australians? Polynesian? Latin Americans? And even some of the Asian cultures you mention? They arrived where they are much later than Native Americans in the worlds history of migration.
I am native and my family and ancestors have always been proud of our culture and race even though others have always tried to diminish and eradicate our culture; we are still here. We are native and that’s that.
And since we are talking about dolls here; they just don’t make enough Native American dolls in a regular play line besides the Collector’s – how about a regular friend of Barbie!
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