Barbie is on the Diversity and Inclusion Move and It’s Powerful!

All Photos in this Post are by Mattel

Over the years, we have all witnessed the famous transformation of our beloved Mattel Barbie doll and we have enjoyed every moment of it. Decades ago, Barbie’s representation of the little girls who loved and played with her was pretty marginal. Barbie was blonde with blue eyes for many years before she finally had brown hair! Still, her figure was impossibly thin, and she only ever seemed flawless and perfect. I’m a seventies child and had quite the impressive collection of dolls as a child. The only doll that came close to representing me was my Cher doll - and she looked nothing like me! 

All over the world, this thin figured, blue-eyed, blonde bombshell of a doll was the woman all little girls aspired to be. Yet, they still yearned for a doll that represented them in some way.  Mattel’s “We Are Barbie” initiative features a line of dolls that promotes diversity and inclusion. The collection has expanded its representation of how different everyone looks, dresses, and accessorizes. From cultural, gender, occupational, and physical features, Barbie has worked hard to represent the diversity in children worldwide. 

Since Mattel first introduced the Barbie doll on March 9, 1959, we have seen the doll evolve for over six decades. The doll was unique in that it was the first adult looking doll that inspired a different kind of imaginative play for children. Until Barbie came along, girls only played with baby dolls. To help nurture the growing imagination for little girls, Mattel’s ingenuity later created a family of dolls for Barbie that started with her boyfriend Ken, sister Skipper, and twin siblings Todd and Tuti.  After that, the changes in Barbies looks, accessories, and background continued to inspire kids and how they saw the possibilities in themselves while playing with each new Barbie doll creation.

Although at first, fashion may have seemed to be Barbie’s best asset, along with her seemingly embellished way of living (Barbie house, Camper, cool convertible, etc.), she also enlightened children with her progressive advancements in the work industry. We have seen Barbie take many career paths and it was fun for all of us see her take a strong stance as a woman who can do anything a man can do. 

It was exciting for me to learn about the new line of inspiring women recently released by Mattel. I think it was a fantastic way to introduce historical events that helped pave the way for our youth and their future ambitions. I did read a post criticizing Mattel about how the “Rosa Parks” doll was too light skinned in an unbelievably crude way. Really? This is the first thing that comes to mind when a company immortalizes a historical figure in such a positive way? I suppose you really can’t please everyone. In my opinion, the doll captures Rosa Parks perfectly. The Rosa Parks doll is lovely, inspiring and for those who actually have seen live footage and photos of her – she did have (in my opinion) light skin. But who cares! The doll represents a moment in history that is to be remembered and celebrated. 

Let’s try to keep our minds on the prize and keep our unhelpful criticisms on the inside. What is the prize? It’s the central message that woman can be great. Women can change the world. They can make a difference. This is the message we want our children to hear, see and learn. The collection also includes other greats, such as, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Billy Jean King, Sally Ride and many others. 

Barbie has created a doll that includes a child’s choice of 176 dolls, 9 body types, 35 skin tones, and 94 hair styles. The dolls represent and bring children more than just imaginative play. It illustrates messages of equality, value, respect, honor and duty. Important messages that all children can incorporate into play and that is just simply a beautiful thing. 

But Mattel didn’t stop there. Todays Barbie also represents a population that almost always escapes toy creators. The disability community almost never sees themselves represented in any facet of the mainstream retail toy market. Adaptive toys are a concept usually known to companies who specialize in the disability field. It was only recently that Microsoft and Google (among others) realized there is a strong market being missed. You guessed it - the disability community.

​When Barbie started a line featuring differently-abled dolls - How did the disability community respond?

With a collective sigh of gratitude. Yes, more of this please! 

Although there are many disabilities that do not change a person's appearance, such as Autism, Epilepsy, and others, maybe Mattel would consider creating a line of awareness clothing and accessories for Barbie dolls. How cool would that be? Still I enjoy watching the Barbie doll continue to evolve and impress the world with their new additions and creations. 

What’s my favorite doll so far? I would have to say it’s the Barbie doll with Virgilio (featured above at the far right).  What’s your favorite Barbie doll?