It's no secret that the things we learn, see and play with as kids have the potential to seep into our subconscious and impact our lives for decades to come – especially when it comes to identity, body image, and diversity. We all know that the plight of the average Barbie doll – which is, of course, anything but average-looking – is to embody a certain type of perfection: one that's silky haired, light skinned, and slimly built. However, a recent movement in the media has been aiming to represent a variety of bodies in everything from magazine ads to, yes, the dolls little kids play with.
The newest iteration of this trend is the "My Natural Doll," a kinky-haired doll created by Congolese hairstylist Mushiya Tshikuka, the host of WEtv reality show Cutting It In the ATL. The doll boasts dark skin and curly, coiled locks. It's mission? To help children who look similarly realize that they, too, are beautiful the way they are. The kinky-haired doll is currently available on Mushiya's Runway Curls website for $165, which, though a steep price point, could be worth it: the doll's hair is 100% virgin African. “In a world where the dolls we play with and the role models we see shapes our perception of beauty and our self confidence, it is important that our little girls are constantly exposed to a reflection of themselves — beautiful dark skin and kinky hair like that which grows out of their own head,” the doll's product description reads.
More on natural hair:
- The Real Reason Kerry Washington Wears Her Natural Curls
- This Teacher's Note About a Black Girl's Hair Is Extremely Offensive
- Why Girls at a South African High School Are Fighting Against Hair Rules
Yahoo was quick to point out that it warrants a review of the "doll test," a psychological study conducted in the 1940s which proved that children were biased against darker skinned baby dolls. Of the 16 black children in the study, 11 "said that the black doll looked 'bad,' and nine of them thought that the white doll looked 'nice.'" It was striking to see the inherent hatred and racism present in the most seemingly innocent of us all: children bearing the same skin color of the doll they said was inferior.
The importance of a diversified toy aisle cannot be understated. What we begin teaching children in their earliest days about race, identity, beauty and acceptability can yield serious consequences in adult life. Though we do hope that we begin seeing more genuine, detailed dolls at a more reasonable price point for the average family, applauding progress is never a bad thing.
Watch this model get a chic curly afro pixie cut:
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