I am a little disappointed

[colettedenali]

I agree with many of your opinions.

As a woman of color, who grew up loving AG- I really don't think it's at all wrong to feel a bit sad that a doll is not of color. It took years for them to release a doll of color. As a child, I had no dolls that reflected my racial background- or an approximation of my racial background.

While I think it is important for all girls to play with a diversity of races reflected in their toys, it is rather infrequent that non-white identities are reflected. The variety of white dolls is MUCH greater than the number of available dolls of color. While I certainly recognize the diversity of European ethnic groups, there is a much greater selection of both historical dolls, LE dolls, and AGTs that appear European in origin.

I am not saying I will not purchase Jess if she is white. I probably will- her story is great. However, diversity is very, very important to me. (Obviously, I'm a diversity trainer!) I hope that a greater racial diversity is reflected in future dolls.

[dolldreamer]

I think we need to be aware of how our toys reflect an openness to other cultures and ethnic diversity.
Children play with these toys, people collect them, they read the catalog as their favorite book in their house. If they are not supporting cultural diversity, which they are, but, they could go farther, then that image will get imprinted, even a little, on the people that love and obsess about these dolls.
Being aware that another white doll is being relesed is not racist, being aware that their is only one asian doll is not rascist, being aware that american girl definately has a minority collection in their dolls is not racist. In fact, it is good to be aware of it. Through that awareness people can grow and companies can change. And the reflection of opness can be acheived.

[Skittl1321]

[quote]Originally posted by Katie148:
[b]

It isn't "racist" to be disappointed if a new doll is white or otherwise resembles many of the dolls already released.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Would you consider it "racist" if I posted I was disappointed the new doll was black? Asian? Hispanic? Most likely, yes.

I agree it is okay to say it is disappointing if it looks a lot like a doll already out there, but skin color alone, that, to me, may not be racist, but it isn't acceptable.

I would like to see a more diverse group of dolls, but there still isn't an AGT that looks like me, and I have white skin, so clearly they haven't exhausted the combinations. I do agree that there are enough white dolls available that girls will be able to get one that easily fits their needs more easily than a different ethnicity, but to say you are disappointed about the skin color of a doll, well to me, that's disappointing. And obviously, Mattel is trying to expand their selection. We have to give them that.

[judiaci]

AG conducts extensive marketing and bases their choices for dolls on what they predict will sell well. The last LE doll, Marisol, is Hispanic and she sold very well. Sadly, it's all about money in my opinion.

I imagine that many girls can only afford or want to buy 1 or 2 AG dolls. Our collector group on HB is very unusual. We buy a lot of dolls! Once you have several dolls, you want ones that looks different and the ethnic dolls are so cute. I wonder if a girl who is white and can only have one doll would choose one of a different race, however. I would be curious to see the sales figures for the non-white dolls.

[Katie148]

I agree that AG has not exhausted the possibilities for Caucasian dolls. I would love to see a Jewish historical, or a doll with really bright red hair. I realize that there are many different cultures that can be represented by a white doll. Kirsten, after all, is a blond girl, but is adjusting to an entirely new country and culture. I consider that diversity. And as I stated before, I'm sure Jess will be cute no matter what ethnicity she is, and she sounds like she will have a great story and collection.

And yes, as I stated before, I do think American Girl is doing an excellent job of portraying diversity in their collection. I'm not trying to say they're not. All I'm saying is that I don't think it's wrong to wish for even more dolls of different races to be released.

From Skittl1321:

I agree it is okay to say it is disappointing if it looks a lot like a doll already out there, but skin color alone, that, to me, may not be racist, but it isn't acceptable.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">But skin color IS a huge part of what makes a doll just like a lot of the others already released. Race can reflect culture and identity. For example, let's say I really wanted AG to release a Hindu or Muslim historical doll. Sure, there are white Hindus and Muslims out there. But does that represent the majority? No. So by hoping for a Hindu/Muslim doll that is an accurate representation of the majority of girls in that culture (meaning, not white), naturally, I'm going to be disappointed to hear that the newest doll is white. Wanting to see dolls that are different from those already available, both in looks and in culture, can go hand in hand with skin color. I am white, and by saying I am disappointed in the release of a white doll, I am not saying I dislike white dolls or white people, or that I won't like the new doll at all if she is white. I am only saying that I wish to see a doll that represents something different from me, a race OR culture that does not yet have a story from American Girl.

[lscogbill]

There will probably always be more caucasion dolls simply because of the dolls' consumer demographics. That's a shame IMO. Everyone would be much happier if we accepted diversity instead of trying to stiffle it.

[Skittl1321]

Originally posted by balletmom:
There will probably always be more caucasion dolls simply because of the dolls' consumer demographics. That's a shame IMO. Everyone would be much happier if we accepted diversity instead of trying to stiffle it.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't think anyone is trying to stiffle diversity. I think Mattel is doing a great job of introducing new dolls that cover a wide range of ethnicities, with their historical (Josefina, Kaya, Addy), the today (don't know the numbers), and the LE dolls (Marisol- although hispanic can be white or non-white race).

I would love to see an Asian doll, they are underrepresented, it will be hard for them to get the market without the dolls, but at the same time, it will hard to sell the dolls without the market. It's something AG needs to figure out.

As someone posted above, many girls only get one doll. I was lucky as a girl and had 3. Kirsten, Felicity and Addy. I was set to get Molly when Addy came out- she was to beautiful to pass up. I believe many young girls recognize the need to explore other cultures and to have dolls that represent them. Now as an adult, I would also like to increase the diversity of my collection. But the truth is with 1 doll, it is likely children will get one that they most closely identify with, and often that is of their own race. Right now, AGs customer base is mostly white- and they cater to them, but it doesn't seem to me that they are excluding anyone either.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ October 13, 2005 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Skittl1321 ]</font>

[rafferty]

I think this is once again turning into a "heritage" post. What Diane basically said is that she felt since there were kids reading this board that it isn't the best idea to bring all of this up all the time. I have never been on a board where this topic is discussed so much. My DD doesn't even think about this type of thing. She asks for dolls she likes, or that remind her of her friends. She is also very lucky to have as many dolls as she does. There is yet to be a doll that looks like her, and she isn't worried about it. AG obviously knows what they are doing, and you all that said most girls only can afford one or two dolls are right, they will buy a doll they can relate too. Marisol is also a dancer, and I think many of DD's friends related to that first, not her heritage. As many of you know Marisol also was very controversal because of her story. The people from the community in the book were mad about the fact that she left the area to move to the suburbs. AG just can't seem to please some people.....and yet they keep trying.....
Shelly

[ladydi43]

Yes, and thanks, Shelly. That is exactly what I have been trying to say. I am very saddened by all of the negativity that seems to come up anytime there is something new. I just don't know if I want dd and I to stay on this board because of all of nastiness that seems to have started. This has always been a really fun place to go to and talk and share our love of Ag and dolls. But things have changed lately. Is it worth it when it stops being fun, and there is so much animosity? I have been a member a long time and have really enjoyed sharing my love and my dd's love of these dolls with most of you. But things lately seem to have turned very negative and almost mean. I just don't know what to think , [img]confused.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] Diane

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ April 14, 2007 12:49 AM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>

[lscogbill]

Oops, I think I was misunderstood. What I meant to say was ... bring on the dolls, lots of different dolls and lots of different choices and let's have fun.