Matel has introduced a new line of more authentically featured black dolls, called “So In Style” or S.I.S. . According to sources the designers of the doll line, is an African American mother of two who wanted her children to play with dolls that looked like the children that they played with regularly. The problem is, some little sisters aren’t buying the rap inspired version of the doll.
–Many of the city girls liked the dolls – Grace, Kara and Trichelle – but some felt the Mattel toy company went too far with the rap-inspired details.
“Not all black people like hip hop,” said Barbara Mootoo, 15, of Manhattan, looking at Kara’s silver rope chain necklace. “They gave her a chain like a 50Cent video.”
Tyaine Danclaire, 15, of the Bronx, liked Trichelle’s straight, long hair because it looked like “a weave,” but she thought the idea “was sorta racist.”
“They say black girls are ghetto with the gold earrings, with the big bling; I don’t agree with that,” she said.
The entire line is not objectionable, just the “hip hop” doll who appears to be blinged out with a bone straight weave. Did we mention that the price tag for one of these dolls is approximately $31.00. Setting the price so high may send the message to marketers that Black people aren’t interested in the more universal representation of black women. In actuality, the unreasonable price tag may discourage purchase because black folks are more interested in putting the necessities on the table, especially in this market.
So like EZ says: ” Keep that third eye open”… and see beyond the obvious!
