Are The New Black Barbies Racist & Sexist?
Mattel has launched three black new barbies. Mattel claims the new black barbies have more African features compared to the Eurocentric black barbies from the 1980s.
Grace, Kara, and Trichelle are the new black barbies but some people say they are not authentic enough. The first thing I noticed was the black barbies are not that dark. Now I know there is a colour spectrum in the black community. However, why can’t there be a black barbie that is dark skinned without long hair?
People wonder why some black girls have self esteem issues? My goodness, it is because because of racist products such as Mattel’s black barbies these toys make young black girls feel they are inferior. The three black barbies all have the same European body image they are basically white dolls with a tan.
In fact, some critics believe Mattel is perpetuating racist and sexist stereotypes that may harm young black girls. For instance, where is the black barbie with an afro? Where is the black barbie with the braids or just plain non processed hair? The black barbies have long straight hair once again placing pressure on young black girls to conform to Eurocentric standards of female beauty. What do you think?
Gayblackcanada 
these barbies are black but they’re the (Iman). they look ethiopian or eritrean, pardon the spelling. they don’t represent, like you said the real Black Girl
luvsong, can see your argument. However, the barbies don’t look Afrocentric they look like they are mixed race. Why can’t Mattel make dolls that look like regular black people why do the dolls have to appear mixed?
This is an interesting site:
http://www.chocolatedoll.com/historyofbarbie.html
It shows the first black Barbie in 1979 – she looked alot like Claire Huxtable.
I think the Barbie spectrum is getting much better about representing lots of skin tones and hair. It has taken them a LONG time to realize how unrealistic Barbie is. Even for white women – Barbie has never resembled any woman I’ve ever met.