Bodyshaming Barbie

I’ve thought about posting this for a few days now, it’s mulled and I’m still on the fence about whether or not it’s a good idea. But, it’s nagging at me and I decided I’m going to speak out, otherwise it’s just going to keep right on nagging me.

Recently, someone posted a side-by-side of a silkstone barbie in her iconic black and white striped swimsuit and a curvy fashionista barbie wearing a similar suit. This is the photograph:

While most people were able to appreciate both dolls, some stated they preferred one or the other but they kept their opinions polite, and why wouldn’t they?  Unfortunately, there were a couple of people who decided to check their adult card at the door, along with their class, and began body-shaming the curvy Barbie.

Here are a few of the comments:  “Barbie before and after a burger binge LOL”, “Oink oink, so tired of PC dolls, so ugly”, “It’s like a before and after Slimfast commercial”, and “These dolls cannot look classy EVER! Why would NEone waste money on them” . One of them even came here to the blog to continue their tirade in my comments section, apparently angry-fueled that I disagreed with them and exercised my right to free speech to say as much.  Several of these people have argued that they have the right to body shame the curvy barbie; after all, they have free speech and it’s just a doll, not an actual person. 

To the first portion, absolutely – you have free speech.  You can use that right to be as rude as you see fit, to anyone, at any time.  That said, free speech is a two-way street.  If you say something I don’t like or don’t agree with, I have the right to respond to it – in both comments on social media and right here on this blog.  We can all say pretty much whatever we want (unless it’s threatening in some way) to other people, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be social ramifications. 

The second part, about Barbie being “just a doll”, I disagree with.  Mattel, driven by profits, decided to be more inclusive with their Barbie dolls.  There are gender neutral dolls, tall dolls, petite dolls, curvy dolls, disabled dolls, and a wide range of skin tones are available.  Why?  

Because they wanted to give children a doll that looked more like them.

Now, let’s imagine that a little girl decides her mother looks more like the curvy Barbies.  It becomes her favorite doll as a result.  That’s what happened to me with my black-haired Barbie, after all, so it’s not far-fetched.  Now let’s imagine that same child sees those comments about burger binging, slimfast, how they can’t be classy, or worse yet, the “oink oink” statement.  How is she going to feel about that?  Would those people actually say those things, to her mother?  What about in front of her child?  I certainly hope not, but I feel social media, while it connects us, it also has the potential to bring out the worst.

Our words matter, or at least they should. 

Let’s use them to lift each other up, or at the very least, scroll on by if the only thing we have to contribute is negativity and humor that puts others down. I myself am guilty of making comments that were less than respectful and downright rude in the past, things I regret. I’m trying to avoid that in future and I hope you’ll join me.

It’s just my two cents, of course.  If you disagree, agree, or have something you’d like to add:  exercise your free speech in the comments section; while they’re moderated, it’s just to avoid spammers. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping in.  See you next time.