The release of Burka Barbie has many incensed that a symbol of oppression would be front and centre at a Save the Children function.
Perhaps, symbols mistaken for religious ideology need a rethink.
One can only assume if symbols of oppression are going to be made into dolls young ladies play with, what is next for marketers to come up with? Perhaps an array of choices for impressionable young girls to identify with such as "Suicide bomber Barbie" or "Buried up to your neck and stoned to death Barbie"? Certainly a Marketing toymaker's dream, if they are Charlie Manson and in another reality, or perhaps "Genetalia mutilation Barbie" would be apropos for those interested in anatomy with a rusty box cutter. For the boys, a Rwanda Child Soldier doll would be sure to please, complete with machete and headless corpse, bottles of acid not included. One wonders what goes on in the minds of those who market for the public consumption.
I bet "Honour Killing Barbie" would be a big seller in some countries.
Perhaps the citizens of a small Quebec town called Herouxville knew something the rest of the world did not? Certainly when it comes to stereotypes Mattel Marketers have no equal.
Comments
Ethic Soup blog has a good post on Burka Barbie, with an emphasis on Mattel's history of ethical issues -- which is not good. The post, "Where are Mattel's Ethics: Undercover Like Burka Barbie?" discusses Mattel's 2 million toy recall a few years ago, which was the reason that Congress passed new federal legislation requiring manufacturers of products for children to get independent, third party safety testing. Yet Mattel, somehow, got a SECRET EXEMPTION from federal regulators and now Mattel's toys are the only toys NOT tested. Read more at Ethic Soup.
Thank you Sheldon, for your comment. I will certainly check out the site you mentioned
ya know I never liked french people fromquebec, but they are prettuy good in my opinion to know islams are bad for canada
mcgrgz
Love it. Capitalism run amok.
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