Black Twitter blasts Barbie for black doll with ‘ratchet’ hairstyle
Over the last several years, Mattel has become more diverse, creating Barbies of all shades and backgrounds. However, the unique hairstyle of one its latest dolls has sparked a bit of a debate.
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Last weekend, Hulu premiered the documentary "Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie." To promote the project, the Barbie Style Instagram account posted a picture of three Barbie dolls sitting in front of a computer with the caption "Movie night with my girls to watch the @Hulu premiere of the new @Barbie documentary, Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie!"
While the two white dolls had straight hair pulled back into a ponytail, the one black doll had dark-colored cornrows on one side and curly, blonde curls on the other side.
Several on social media noticed the difference and commented on the black Barbie’s look. Several said they were offended by the style and that it did not accurately represent African-American women.
I'm offended by that look 😡
— bridget edmonds (@bridgete52) May 1, 2018
They just couldn’t give sus a simple bob? pic.twitter.com/A3CnD5Rihx
— Binderella 👠 (@Keylo__) April 28, 2018
Lol barbie... this is actually just embarrassing. Like they wanted to fit every black hair style on one head. The cornrows, the dyed weave, body wave bundles. Why? Why? Why? Just ask any black person and they will tell you, that you don’t do this anywhere. ANYWHERE ! https://t.co/KhRVhtFdVS
— Eno Boateng (@Enooo_x) April 30, 2018
those “cornrows” and the blonde hair... what is she supposed to be a black and mild edition barbie?? snjdjsjdks i- pic.twitter.com/B95oQyZWhz
— missjosébaby (@yuqis_twt) April 30, 2018
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Others thought the style was unfinished and called it an incomplete sew-in. They said Barbie missed the mark in its attempt to be inclusive.
@Mattel @Barbie On behalf of the Afro-X population we demand that there be a Aro- X rep on the design team advocating proper representation b/c caricature of us NEEDS A RECALL 😂🤦🏽♀️😩
— ThurZday (@Its_ThurZday) April 30, 2018
If there was an Afro-X rep on the team 🗣FIRE HIM/HER! We no longer affiliate w/them! https://t.co/wKLcuhvaUv
Corn rows & a ratchet blonde weave 😒😒😒 why y’all playing in black Barbie’s face ?? Sis looks like her hair girl has an emergency and had to go 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ https://t.co/ax9XT4hG5s
— Joliette Mechele (@Un_Bothered_AF) April 30, 2018
Why is the Barbie for sale without her WEAVE DONE?! pic.twitter.com/CJtoYPsgKR
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) April 30, 2018
They didn’t even give the black Barbie a full sew-in. I’m pissed 😭 pic.twitter.com/GIAPQgLgkQ
— El Chapo 🥀 (@TshaChante) April 29, 2018
» RELATED: Kandi Burruss pokes fun at her Barbie-like hairstyle
On the other hand, a few loved it. Even “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss was a fan. She uploaded a side-by-side photo of her and the Barbie wearing similar hairstyles.
I think this is part of representation. There are black little girls out there that would absolutely adore her hairstyle
— Your Bestfriend 🌸 (@MixCultureFlow) April 29, 2018
Y’all hating on that black Barbie but her hair is bomb
— mermaid princess (@mermaidhev) April 29, 2018
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About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
