A comment by Dani (091010) on my First Thoughts on SiS Dolls (090618) got me looking a little bit more closer at the eyes of my African American dolls…
It is no secret that in America, the majority of African American people have some white ancestry and for that matter, a lot of white people have some hidden African ancestry too. This issue has been bought up yet again by the probing of the genealogy of the First Lady of the USA*. This extensive mixing of genes can result in some *colourful* features. It is no surprise to find African American people with naturally green, grey and blue eyes. It is also no surprise to find that MOST African American people have brown eyes (as do most white people), it is the dominant gene after all!
This might be more of a playline issue but… why are dolls made to show eyes of varying shades but not often enough the brown eyes that most humans have? I have always thought it was artistic licence, you can paint a doll’s face any colour you want! But if we are talking about representation then why are African American dolls made with eyes all colours of the rainbow instead of the colour of the earth? It has always been said, looking into someone’s eyes is like looking through a window to their soul… what if you’re looking into the wrong eyes? Are you looking into the wrong soul? (ok, I’ve just confused myself here too O_o)
look into my baby blues
