Celeb News: Viola Davis: No Barbie for daughter

hot mess

Quote:

“I don’t give her Barbie dolls, to be honest. The only sort of ‘dolls’ that she could [have] are superhero dolls; she just got [one] in the mail. Mostly she plays with small animals. I don’t want her to begin to create images throughout her life featuring women that do not look like her at all that she puts too much value in. I’m trying to do as much as I can to train her up to love who she is as much as I can,” Davis said.

Davis also went on to speak about the mantra that she and her husband have her daughter recite.

“She says the two most important parts of her are her heart and her head,” Davis explained. “I want Genesis to know that her values are within.”

When it comes to a lot of dolls not being representative of young black girls, Davis may be on to something. Davis also says she realizes she’s a role model not only to her daughter but also to black girls all over the world, and that she wants to change the black woman narrative about “never letting them see you sweat.”

“Everything is about not letting anyone see you sweat, not owning up to your vulnerability or your weaknesses or your failures. I don’t think that you can live a life for two minutes and say that you’ve never failed or you’re not struggling through something or you’re not getting ready to. If you’re saying that, then you’re 100 percent lying and the people who are looking up to you who are struggling; you’re not helping them,” Davis said.

Click Clack

A lot of black women don't buy white barbie dolls for their daughters, this isn't anything new.

Kim Kardashian

I'm not against Barbie dolls (especially now they have those ones in different shapes) but I totally understand her decision.

Adelephant 25

Totally understandable queen

i spit on haters

I keep forgetting Viola is a mother. Good on her, though.

Shizuka

Understandable although dolls are getting more diverse nowadays as far as skin color and even body type (I wonder how it is about hair texture). Hopefully they continue to diversify so young girls can look at the doll and see someone like them in the future.

Lil' Oz

I hate how everything is about race these days... like, I get where she's coming form but still.

Bey Admired

I don't think it's much to do with the skin colour of the dolls - Moreso, I think it's to do with the fact that these dolls represent a very simplistic superficial view of humans. They are just empty vessels, taking differing forms, institutionalising and stereotyping how your body should look. You see, with dolls, it's all about appearance. It's not about the brain or heart, which Viola states are the two most valuable assets she teaches her daughter. No matter if the doll is black or white, or fat or thin; the point is, they present a very simplistic view of the world.

I personally think it's a load of tosh.

i spit on haters

Quote:

Originally posted by Lil' Oz

I hate how everything is about race these days... like, I get where she's coming form but still.

These days? because it never was in the past? America's beauty standard is that of a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Though dolls have been diversified, young girls who aren't white will still pick the white doll out of a group of other dolls (even ones that resemble them) because they've been preconditioned to think the white doll is the prettiest.

princedonte

Quote:

Originally posted by Bey Admired

I don't think it's much to do with the skin colour of the dolls - Moreso, I think it's to do with the fact that these dolls represent a very simplistic superficial view of humans. They are just empty vessels, taking differing forms, institutionalising and stereotyping how your body should look. You see, with dolls, it's all about appearance. It's not about the brain or heart, which Viola states are the two most valuable assets she teaches her daughter. No matter if the doll is black or white, or fat or thin; the point is, they present a very simplistic view of the world.

I personally think it's a load of tosh.

It's a toy. It's not that deep. Kids can't even play any more with out psycho babble being shoved down their throats.

konaa

Dark Matter

Barbie is the fittest out of all the dolls. If she was black, she'd still be the hottest one.

Eternium

Quote:

Originally posted by princedonte

It's a toy. It's not that deep. Kids can't even play any more with out psycho babble being shoved down their throats.

Read this:

or this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennet...ll_experiments

and then comment on how dolls aren't important in shaping the standards of beauty for children. I don't think there's anything wrong with giving your kid dolls, but if you choose not to do so after seeing the harm they've done for some children, then that's understandable, too

Shizuka

Quote:

Originally posted by Lil' Oz

I hate how everything is about race these days... like, I get where she's coming form but still.

I hate how people act like race topics are something new like people are just making stuff up to say anything.

Beatz

Quote:

Originally posted by Lil' Oz

I hate how everything is about race these days... like, I get where she's coming form but still.

.

VOSS

Good decision imo. My friend who is half black half asian said that when she was growing up she was always really sad and jealous that she didn't have blonde hair and blue eyes because that's how all the barbies were and she thought she was supposed to look like that. it can be unhealthy.
too bad she named her daughter "Genesis"

Chemical X.

Yeah this isn't new. My mom only let me play with black barbies.

Toya

I'm black and had white barbies and turned out fine

Terrielle

I honestly don't understand this barbie thing. I used to play with all sorts of toys including the muscular and chiseled superman, and I am completely okay with my slim/skinny body. Can't toys just me toys?

lightstheyblindme

what a little cutie