Culture
MORGONN MCMICHAEL: Mattel launches Barbie doll to support those with Down syndrome
"This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation."
The first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome has just been released by the toy manufacturer Mattel, and is causing an internet uproar. Lisa McKnight, the global head of Barbie, stated that this new design "continues to expand inclusion in doll play," and aims to create a product that everyone feels represented by.
Mattel partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create a doll that truly represents and resembles a person with Down syndrome. "This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation," Kandi Pickard, the president and CEO of NDSS said in a statement. "It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating."
While some conservatives claim that the newest Barbie is "woke," many, myself included, believe that this is the kind of inclusion our culture should embrace. Most companies would jump on the opportunity to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive doll, but Barbie chose instead to represent a subset of the population which is currently facing true genocide.
