Eastern Exposure?
Asian American Barbie Is a No-Show

With Mattel's timely election-year rollout of "Barbie For President 2000," diversity was on the docket—sort of. Three flavors of the campaigning dolls were released, complete with smart suits and sensible, shoulder-length haircuts: Caucasian, Latina, and African American.

But an Asian American candidate was notably missing from the mix. According to the Boston Globe, a Mattel spokeswoman claimed that Asian girls tend to buy Caucasian Barbies, and alleged that the Asian American community "has not expressed interest in a doll that reflects their ethnicity."

When the Globe asked whether African American and Hispanic communities had requested a Presidential doll in their likeness, the spokeswoman admitted that they hadn't, but that "Mattel chose to be 'pro-active' about it."

This dis has led to speculation and outrage among Asian Americans. If Asian girls do indeed pick up white dolls, some argue, it's either because of complex social conditioning (to the tune of "white is right") or a simple lack of other options.

Currently, the "Friend of Barbie" cast contains only two Asian characters: Kira, from the international set; and the collector's-edition Fantasy Goddess of Asia doll (don't get us started on that one). Not only are these dolls marginally promoted, they carry a higher price tag than the standard doll.

Mattel's not the only toy company guilty of this "oversight." The Globe also reported that competitor Hasbro will introduce the "My Real Baby" doll this fall in Caucasian, Latina, and African American versions.

"In explaining the Asian omission," reveals the Globe, "Hasbro spokeswoman Audrey Basso said there simply aren't enough Asians to justify it."

Huh? What's up with the blatant cluelessness and discrimination here? And why do these companies find it acceptable to ignore a thriving Asian American population, one that surely spends as much on toys as the next ethnic group in America?

I suppose Asian American political groups could lobby on the steps of toy companies and demand a line of Asian Barbies. But perhaps their activist agendas contain, oh, more important issues than dolls and toys. Just a hunch here.

Still, dolls are where girls get early lessons about self-image and identity. When people have told me that "Barbie's just a doll," I've argued that she's a metaphor for a social predilection toward whiteness, and the privileges that go along with it. Girls of color can suffer from an identity distortion when they don't see images of themselves represented in popular culture and the media. There's a self-esteem issue here.

Interestingly, many African Americans have complained that black Barbies are little more than standard-issue white Barbies dipped in brown paint. The long, straight hair and European facial features are still the same. Somehow, this still fell under the radar; I suppose people figured it was better than nothing. And it's not like the white Barbies are much of an accurate representation of the average white girl either.

Still, in manufacturing an Asian doll, toy companies would be forced to confront ethnic differences head-on. Political correctness aside, there's no denying it: Asian facial features are unique, and different from the typical Caucasian face. A simple paint job and a head of black hair would not be convincing enough, and would perhaps be even more insulting than the omission of an Asian American doll altogether.

And unless Asian Americans speak up and demand a doll in their image, it's doubtful one will show up in the toystores anytime soon.

—Ophira Edut