On Thu, 3 Apr 1997, Karen A. Barnhardt wrote:
> Thank You!!! I was beginning to think that I was the only one having
> these thoughts!! I appreciate that Vera's project is probably
> well-intended, but Sandi's salient comments need to be seriously
> considered. An EcoFem Barbie? What a perfect way to recuperate what
> could be radical discourse/practice back into patriarchial project. There
> are so many other toys, books, and projects that would be so much more
> appropriate for informing emerging ecofeminist attitudes in young people.
>
> Karen B.
>
and i thought i was speaking with people who were capable of
thinking about the barbie project with a much more complex
and broad minded approach, so that if one didn't write a whole
thesis on all that it would entail, other people may even
have a suggestion to make that would not be based on sheer
prejudice, paternalism (no pun intended), and lack of
knowledge of what i think or not about the body shape, color
etc of the doll. just a reminder, the word prejudice comes
from putting together pre+judge, that is, before you know
something or someone, you make a judgement.
from my experience, most "feminists" would jump to talk
about body shape and be totally clueless on ethical/sustainable production
and distribution processes. not too many "feminists" that
i know have much understanding about sustainable materials
either and how they could be applied to making toys.
i thought i could get more information on a variety of topics
regarding the project but thank you for showing me how wrong i was.
Vera
> On Wed, 2 Apr 1997, Sandra Krajewski wrote:
>
> > I am aghast--healthy sustainable barbie is an oxymoron--start with her
> > proportions and make her look like women really look in all our diversity
> > (not just color) and I'll be she doesn't sell. Barbie is about keeping the
> > exercise and diet industry in addition to the cosmetics industry and
> > counselors busy--and keeping us busy looking like her. Just changing her
> > clothing won't change her impact and then would it be barbie?---Sandi K
> > >
> > >i am researching for an article that proposes what
> > >a feminist Barbie doll would be like. by feminist i
> > >mean a broad feminism (a la bell hooks), that challenges
> > >all forms of oppression (which BTW includes questioning
> > >imperialism). so ideas for the new "barbie" would be:
> > >made of sustainable materials, would be produced
> > >in decent conditions with a fair trade mechanism of
> > >distribution, would send positive messages about womanhood
> > >for children (example: outfit for union organizer, peace activist, etc,
> > >etc).
> > >
> > >would anyone like to give a suggestion for their
> > >vision of a healthy sustainable barbie?
> > >i would be particularly interested in ideas for
> > >sustainable materials, production processes that related
> > >to community development, and positive roles for the doll.
> > >
> > >(i'll be happy to give credit where it's due, if
> > >article gets published).
> > >
> > >thanks,
> > >
> > >Vera Britto
> > >([EMAIL PROTECTED] - http://www.umich.edu/~fiatlux)
> > >............................................................................
> > >Le Bret: Si tu laissais un peu ton ame mousquetaire, la fortune et la
> > >gloire... Cyrano: Et que faudrait-il faire? Chercher un protecteur
> > >puissant, prendre un patron, et, comme un lierre obscur que circonvient
> > >un tronc et s'en fait un tuteur en lui lechant l'ecorce, grimper par
> > >ruse au lieu de s'elever par force? Non, merci! Non, merci! Non, merci!
> > >Mais... chanter, rever, rire, passer, etre seul, etre libre... oui.
> > > "Cyrano de Bergerac" - Edmond Rostand
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
