American Girls
The account addressed by Hade Daniel at the inception of “Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in ‘The American Girls’ Books"reveals Barbie as an icon of femininity as well as one who lives a desirable life” (Taxel, 161). The original query arises on whether to condemn the latter and as an undesirable role model whose embodiment constitutes subsidiary corporate dominance, Aryan culture and femininity due to the lack of a diverse culture. More significantly, Barbie portrays the feminine masquerade through the revealing of the manufactured concept of the idea trough props, clothing and accessories.
According to Hade (512) “Barbie is a genuine role model for all her owners / she allows little girls to dream…” He also states that “ethnic Barbie lovers have the ability to imagine their own image”(515). “In their own image” refers to the picture of the white blonde which essentially would be quite problematic to replicate. The introduction of the “Shani” doll makes the phenomenon exciting to doll lovers. Mattel’s creation of the doll claims to have the best interest of ethnic audiences, but in my perception, it appears like a disastrous strategy. The description offered at the rear end of “Shani” doll seems more stereotypical than other dolls (Hade, 160).
With the entire description full of black vernacular including hair twisting and braiding, the doll fails to play up social roles and instead fuels the term “double consciousness” as coined by W.E. B DuBois. The name “Shani” which is created to present a top model tends to highlight not only female scholar oppression but also racial abuse (Turin, p5). Evidently, Mattel institutes incorrect advice by creating an African-American counterpart for Barbie and instead of providing a wholesome American name, what do people get? Individuals are introduced to names that create a clear distinction between Africans and Americans which is clearly inappropriate (Altenderfer, et al. 45). The use of the term “black face” describes the multicultural additions because only the costumes can reveal the notable difference.
Works Cited
Altenderfer, Eliza, et al. "Traditional Tales and Literacy: Pre-Service Teachers' Transmediation of." Journal of Language and Literacy Education 8.1 (2012): 38-49.
Hade, Daniel. "Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in ‘The American Girls’ Books." Voices of the Other: Children’s Literature and the Postcolonial Context (2000): 153-164.
Hade, Daniel. "Storyselling Are publishers changing the way children read?" Horn Book Magazine 78.5 (2002): 509-520.
Taxel, Joel. "Children's Literature at the Turn of the Century:" Toward a Political Economy of the Publishing Industry."" Research in the Teaching of English (2002): 145-197.
Turrin, Enrico. "Story-Telling And Story-Selling. Key Trends From Bologna Children's Book Fair - TISP Smart Book". TISP Smart Book. N.p., 2017. Web. 4 Apr. …
