Mattel has released a Barbie Tribute
Collection doll based on transgender actor Laverne Cox, a biological male who identifies as a woman.
According to Cox's Twitter biography, he/she is a "Four time Emmy
Nominated Actress and Emmy winning producer." We’re happy for you.
According to People magazine, Cox stated: "What
excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can
see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there's
a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person.”
Cox added, "That in this environment where trans kids are being attacked
... this can also be a celebration of transness, and also a space for them to
dream, understand and be reminded that trans is beautiful."
Cox was "very involved" in designing the
doll, People reported.
Cox again: "I was like, 'Can we make her look
more like me? And more African American?' And we had a conversation about
highlights and lowlights because I'm blonde most of the time now, but I'm a
Black girl, so I need a dark root. And we had a whole conversation about how
they can't do that, but they could do dark low lights."
A couple observations: First, “Cox” is an
interesting name for a transgender woman. Second, will Mattel’s new
transgender doll have snap-on/snap-off parts so the kiddies can make it male or
female to match the way they themselves are identifying at any given moment? Will
it be able to identify as each and every one of the now widely-acknowledged 73
genders? Will it be capable of demanding that those with whom it interacts use
its preferred pronouns?
It’s nice to see that Mattel is finally “woking up.”
But there is still more to do. Here’s hoping the company soon issues a
“Pregnant Man Barbie,” a “Well-Hung Barbie,” and a “Polyamorous Barbie.”
Barbie hung like a horse? Ken pregnant? Now that
would be inclusive.
And great fun for the kiddies. Right?
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