Why I Am A Black Barbie

I’ve always played with Barbies. But my nickname, Black Barbie started in early middle school where I truly began to embrace my inner fashionista, but lately lots of people have been asking me why would I call myself a Barbie. Why would I want to represent something that presents such a negative light about women? Let me share with you, why I consider myself a real life Black Barbie.

 
As a child I played with Barbie’s all the time! I had the princesses, the ballerinas, the veterinarian, the zoo keeper, and the astronaut. I never really paid attention to that fact that Barbie’s body dimensions were virtually impossible to attain, because I was to busy making sure her outfit had all of it accessories. I never felt that I needed to look like this doll to feel beautiful. And even as an young woman and adult Barbie Collector, who has struggled with body image and health issues, I never felt that I needed to try to look like Barbie.
 
To me its much simpler. Barbie has everything that I would like to have! She has had over 120 careers, dozens of cars, a crazy cool wardrobe, tons of friends, a hot boyfriend, a loving family, a never ending bank account (it seems) and she does everything with a smile on her face. Barbie is a fantasy, just as Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are. If anything Barbie is making young girls have high standards, not low self-esteem.
As a young girl, I dreamed of being a career woman just because Barbie did it. She was sort of an inspiration
As a very young black girl, around the age of four or five, I didn’t pay attention to the news, and I really didn’t know any successful black women (besides the ones in my family). The black Barbie doll was a first glimpse of what I could be and throughout elementary school, Barbie and my mom were role models. Now that I’m older, I see very successful African American all over. But Barbie was my first real glimpse of what I could be.
Barbie was a dream…she is the dream. And now I’m living my life like the Barbie doll I used to play with (and now collect.) I have a great wardrobe, I’m always laughing and smiling,  I have awesome friends and super supportive family, a  cute “pink” themed apartment, and I buy things that I want (within my budget), and I’m working toward my career goals of being a superstar event planner.
I am THE Black Barbie. If you don’t like…Deal with it.

 

Comments

comments

6 thoughts on “Why I Am A Black Barbie”

  1. I think it is great that you are so confident! Nothing wrong with being a girly girl either! I played with Barbies all the time 🙂

  2. Pingback: Invisalign

  3. Very cute post and very decent reasons why you consider yourself a “black Barbie.” Like you I played with Barbie’s all the time as a child. I still own the some limited edition Barbie’s still safe and secure in their dusty boxes. I never envied Barbie. The folks who complain about Barbie and other women/things as being poor examples to girls fail to remember that mothers should try being role models for their girls as opposed to placing other people and things on such a high pedestal. I understand that their are external influences that I poor children are bombarded with but as a mother to a girl I hope to be her primary influence and guidance. So much to combat Barbie is the least of our troubles.

  4. Pingback: Modeling for College Week on Great Houston! - ❤Pretty Pink Living❤ Fashion

Comments are closed.

About Me

Taylor Brione Ballard

I’m Taylor Brione Ballard—a proud University of Houston grad from the Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, where I majored in Event Management and Sales and picked up a minor in Nonprofit Management along the way.

Follow me On

Scroll to Top