Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail 4K As many know, we hate to pull the race card where it’s not relevant, however, this is more about us than Barbie itself. There is a craze about the Barbie trend, and it seems that more black girls are engaged in this embarrassing fad than white women themselves—an issue that has many people questioning the awareness and intelligence of those who go out of their way to emulate and support this trend. One thing that is for sure is that wherever you see black women emulating Barbie, you can guarantee that you are not looking at anyone who expresses any progressive or intelligent views. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with this observation, let’s look at the facts. Do you think any activist, popular or unpopular, or even a respectable black woman would take their time out to emulate Barbie? Angela Davis? Michelle Obama? etc.? Even the notion that the toy is depicted as an unintelligent “blondie” who enjoys wealth, lavishness, and high-fashion brands, with very few versions depicting her as a substance of influence, speaks for itself. TWO TYPES OF AFRICAN WOMAN But let’s consider the previous chapter and explore who won’t try to emulate Barbie and look at the popular women in the black community who do. Starting from the very beginning of the concept of black women wanting to be like Barbie, we have Lil Kim, who was the first woman in African culture to embrace the white record label’s concept of black barbie, and we can also see what direction that went in. This not only came with a woman who proudly made a whole album about prostitution but also came with admiration for killing (mostly other black people) and promoting all kinds of white-owned businesses from Crystal to Gucci, etc. BARBIE CONNECTS VERY WELL WITH THE TRASHY END OF OUR PEOPLE Following this, we had Nicki Minaj, who generally copied Lil Kim but referenced Barbie more. She was like Barbie/Lil Kim 2.0, but more tailored for the European audience. And now, at the epitome of that trash, we see the likes of rappers like Sexy Red and Sukihana. https://twitter.com/OliLondonTV/status/1683198804101611520 So there is no doubt that Barbie mainly appeals to the trashy side of African women, or definitely not to those who hold high esteem in their African pride. We don’t see a Barbie craze amongst Eastern Asians, Arabs, or any other race except black women who feel the need to follow trends. BARBIE IN BLACK HISTORY But let’s delve into the real disappointment about the toy and its relationship to black people. Barbie was first debuted at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. The first Barbie wore a black and white striped swimsuit and her signature ponytail. Toy buyers were skeptical because Barbie was unlike the baby and toddler dolls that were popular at the time. Black girls would have to wait at least 10 more years before the first official Black Barbie doll would hit the market, and this was for no pleasant reason. CONFUSING BUSINESS WITH INCLUSION Society was rapidly changing in the years leading up to Black Barbie’s release, which was in part due to the civil rights movement that happened in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was cool to be black, it was proud to be black, and it was beautiful to have an Afro. Black women no longer had admiration for white goods, especially those that looked like Barbie, and were patronizing their own products. Racist, white-only businesses like Barbie were being boycotted, and there were many justice boycotts and civil unrest from the African American community. At this point, the production of a black Barbie was mainly to fixate their position in the new turn of events. AFRICAN PEOPLE ADDED DIGNITY TO BARBIE In fact, it was this reason and this reason alone that Mattel created career-driven women who kids could look up to, because the trashy Barbie was of no interest to black people. According to NBC News, “In 1989, the company made a Black Barbie who was a pilot, and in 1993, there was another Black Barbie who served as a medical sergeant. In the years following, Mattel released other Black Barbies, including a medical sergeant, a firefighter, and in 2004, a Black Barbie president.” African American woman, Elizabeth Wilson shows off her Black Barbie doll collection. However, these Barbies were only made to appease black America for PR, while the company still deprived other nations of access to black Barbies, all while cutting any production of competition by Black Americans themselves. LOOKING SILLY IN PINK WHILST TURNING A BLIND EYE TO YOUR OWN Over the years, many doll companies have been created by black people around the world. Many of which we have published, and even more that went under our radar. Yet none of them have received mild support from African women like the way they admire emulating Barbie. In 2018, Fuse ODG’s spouse released his Nana dolls, which received an applaudable amount of attention as seen (here). Not one of these diluded influencers or models crazy of barbie even shared the news. VIDEO: Fuse ODG & Sarkodie Launch African Pride Fashion Stylish Nana In Ghana, Everything Your Daughter Needs But there has been a wider range of attractive dolls across the spectrum, such as Hip-hop dolls by Kaya Wiggs (link to article). #HOTSHOTS: The Cutest Hip Hop Dolls By Kaye Wiggs, Love It! And how could we not mention the gorgeous Africarbie dolls that went viral (link to article). African Dolls Are Cool, But These Africarbies Are The Coolest: From Albino To Freckles, See Them All Then we had Tafari Jewellery, which reincarnates dolls with an African edge as seen below (link to article). PICS: Enjoy These Stunning And Stylish Modern African Dolls For Kids By Tafari Jewelry SO WHY DIDN’T YOU SUPPORT THESE? We won’t deny that there is a mega budget behind the push of Barbies. Not just paid mainstream advertisement and billboards, but obviously, many popular accounts are scheming off scout money to pretend they like Barbie so you would believe you like it too. Scout money, in this case, would be when Mattel cannot go around Nigeria talking to each and every influencer in the country, so they find a PR company or an influencer and sign contracts with them to outsource the job of scouting relevant influencers to have that impact and begin the craze. But for those of you who never received a dime, is it too much to ask that you support your own? At least then if you did, you wouldn’t look so stupid wearing a pink wig with your brown face. A NEED FOR BLACK KARENS Times are changing and we as African people can no longer have the “Let Them Do What They Do” or “It Is What It Is” attitude. It’s this “let them be” behavior that has giving the European media the ability of plant the likes of Sexy Red and others amongst our community. When we see degenerate behavior of all sorts, character wise, business wise or other, we need to speak out against it, and when you see someone do so, turn the volume up. The Barbie craze frenzy is the easiest way to identify some of the deluded women amongst African people. Let’s be honest with ourselves, on a scale of woke to black trash, it is very obvious which end of the spectrum the emulation of Barbie sits on. If intelligence was instilled in you, you would be fully aware that every time you complain about your governments and how there are no jobs in your country or community or race, it is partially related to the fact that you consistently refuse to support your own and are quick to put your money and promotional capabilities into businesses that create wealth and swimming pools for people whom you will soon complain about and call racist. Read More Like This On Africa In General Progressive Insights & Advise UPCOMING PRIORITY EVENTS! VIEW ALL EVENTS To Submit stories Email: submit@FashionGHANA.com or HashTag #FashionGHANA Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail FashionGHANA Admin FashionGHANA.com is a Fashion PR Company, Events planning & management team as well as Africa's leading Fashion Media House. Get Intouch with us and let's see how we can help you grow. info@FashionGHANAcom More For You 11 Core Reasons Why African Fashion Is Losing Its Popularity Maximize Student Learning Through Active Engagement Techniques Ghanaians Slam TV Station For Using ‘Nigerian’ Word Ankara (Instead Of Ntoma)…But Here... How Does AI Affect Writers: Is It a Lifesaver or a Hindrance? How Small Businesses Boost Educational Communities Effectively How Popular Dark Skinned Influencers Have Turned Their Backs On Black Owned Brands 6 Essential Cautions When Sending Clothes To Style Influencers 10 Vital Lessons You Must Know Before Working With Any Photographer; Scams, Payments... 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