Why the Zendaya Doll Matters

Source 

The latest Barbie doll has garnered a lot of attention, but not for the usual reason. While Barbie is often under fire by the media for its unrealistic representations of women’s bodies, this time the publicity is far more positive. Barbie has made a doll modeled after Zendaya’s 2015 Oscars look, dreads and all.

This look got a lot of attention, not because of her gorgeous Vivienne Westwood dress of course, but because of her locs. Giuliana Rancic said on Fashion Police that her hair made her look as if she smelled like patchouli oil and weed.

Soon after, Zendaya released a statement on her social media about why she chose this hairstyle and why Rancic’s comment was incredibly demeaning and offensive. Her lengthy and powerful response resonated with many and included mentions of other very successful people with locs. Her own insights into racism in the media and how it relates to hair showed a thoughtful, intelligent and critical young woman: “There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair.

My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough.” Fortunately, Zendaya got a largely positive response after releasing this statement, with her many fans rallying around her on social media.

Barbie’s decision to make a doll based on a look that garnered so much controversy is wonderful considering the social and historical implications of black women’s hair. As Zendaya touched on in her statement, African Americans are constantly being belittled or criticized for wearing their hair naturally. Amandla Stenberg also talked about this in her video “Don’t Cash Crop on My Corn Rows” when she said that texture black hair requires certain upkeep and that therefore styling hair is a large part of black culture and identity.

Furthermore, black hair is often outright banned within certain social spaces. Many businesses have refused to allow black women to wear their hair in natural styles such as afros, locs, or twists, instead requiring them to wear weaves or chemically straighten their hair. Even the U.S. military is guilty of this type of policy targeting African Americans.

With this context in mind, a Zendaya Barbie is not only admirable but inspiring and revolutionary. On her Instagram, Zendaya posted a picture of her and the doll with a caption expressing her gratitude to Mattel. She wrote: “When I was little I couldn’t find a Barbie that looked like me, my…how times have changed.” While it is unrealistic to expect every girl to have a Barbie that looks exactly like herself as Zendaya now does, it is a huge step for Barbie to include new diverse dolls with different skin tones and culturally significant hairstyles.

That isn’t to say that Barbie shouldn’t be criticized, however. Of course it’s wonderful to have girls with dreads represented, but what about fat girls with dreads? Disabled girls with dreads? Just plain average-sized girls with dreads? Barbie is still guilty of promoting a narrowly defined standard of beauty that excludes all kinds of girls. In fact, it’s been estimated that only 1 in every 100,000 women have Barbie’s body type. Black or not, dreadlocked or not, all Barbies represent a very small minority of women and girls, and could promote eating disorders and low self-esteem in the young girls they are made for.

Regardless, Barbie is taking a step in the right direction as far as promoting diversity in its dolls. The Zendaya doll is refreshingly unique and an inspiration to many, especially in how it showcases the controversial but gorgeous dreadlocks that Zendaya chose to wore for the Oscars. Barbie, like Zendaya, should be applauded for its progressive and heartening choice.

Images courtesy of Getty Images

Sophia Cunningham is a vegan feminist from Orange County. She is interested in studying politics and sociology, and she spends her free time reading, writing, and singing. She hopes to educate others about social issues and the importance of activism in everyday life