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Joined: Sep 2009
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journeyman
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journeyman
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This development calls for a new spirit of tolerance : The other day, George Jonas passed on to his readers a characteristically shrewd observation gleaned from the late poet George Faludy: “No one likes to think of himself as a coward,” wrote Jonas. “People prefer to think they end up yielding to what the terrorists demand, not because it’s safer or more convenient, but because it’s the right thing . . . Successful terrorism persuades the terrorized that if they do terror’s bidding, it’s not because they’re terrified but because they’re socially concerned.”
This is true. Resisting terror is exhausting. It’s easier to appease it, but, for the sake of your self-esteem, you have to tell yourself you’re appeasing it in the cause of some or other variant of “social justice.” Obviously, it’s unfortunate if “Canadians” get arrested for plotting to murder the artists and publishers of the Danish Muhammad cartoons, but that’s all the more reason to be even more accommodating of the various “sensitivities” arising from the pervasive Islamophobia throughout Western society. Etc.
Yet this psychology also applies to broader challenges. By way of example, take a fluffy feature from a recent edition of Britain’s Daily Mail: “It’s Barbie in a Burka,” read the headline. Yes, as part of her 50th anniversary celebrations, “one of the world’s most famous children’s toys, Barbie, has been given a makeover.” And, in an attractive photo shoot, there was Barbie in “traditional Islamic dress,” wearing full head-to-toe lime-green and red burkas. At least, I’m assuming it was Barbie. It could have been G.I. Joe back there for all one can tell from the letterbox slot of eyeball meshing.[snip]
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according to wikianswer 22 percent of the world's population is muslim. so to answer the question the thread and column's title poses, i would say that it signals mattell's desire to appeal to a potentially untapped market.
sure, you can talk to god, but if you don't listen then what's the use? so, onward through the fog!
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Julia
A 45’s quicker than 409
Betty’s cleaning’ house for the very last time
Betty’s bein’ bad
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thanks to julia for what is clearly a much more straight forward, less, shall we say, skewed view of this topic. by the way, i do remember the fulla dolls.
sure, you can talk to god, but if you don't listen then what's the use? so, onward through the fog!
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journeyman
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according to wikianswer 22 percent of the world's population is muslim. so to answer the question the thread and column's title poses, i would say that it signals mattell's desire to appeal to a potentially untapped market. We'll remember this post the next time you bash some commercial interest for being guided by the bottom line. 
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according to wikianswer 22 percent of the world's population is muslim. so to answer the question the thread and column's title poses, i would say that it signals mattell's desire to appeal to a potentially untapped market. We'll remember this post the next time you bash some commercial interest for being guided by the bottom line. harv, my post has nothing to do with judging whether or not this action would be right or wrong, it is merely an observation. that said, the link you post is a meandering screed and i would say that if one was to seek a more balanced report on the matter, julia's link provides that. if mattel was in fact doing this to tap into a market, so be it. i have no qualms with that action. what i do have issue with is the absurd implication that burka barbie indicates anything other than an attempt to create a toy that is acceptable to that particular culture. when barbie was created in the australian image or asian or african, did you see a conspiracy there too?
sure, you can talk to god, but if you don't listen then what's the use? so, onward through the fog!
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enthusiast
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when barbie was created in the australian image or asian or african, did you see a conspiracy there too? I wasn't a dolly-girl. But I do remember, back in the 1950's, liking a line of dolls dressed in clothes of different countries. They may have been a promotional thing run by a cereal company. You picked out the costumed doll you wanted and sent x number of box tops and a buck or two. Wish I could remember the details. Anyway...cultural dress will only have negative connotations if one chooses to see it that way. Kids don't have a problem with race, unless someone who does has gotten to them. A burka-ed Barbie's only message is that women in some countries wear this style of clothing. Nothing more.
Last edited by Almost Naomi; 12/10/09 09:15 PM.
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace." ...Albert Schweitzer
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It's the Despair Quotient! Carpal Tunnel
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It's the Despair Quotient! Carpal Tunnel
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Barbie is a child's toy, I care more about what the article says.
It's good article.
"The Best of the Leon Russell Festivals" DVD
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journeyman
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Altho' the article is dated this year, Barbie's 50th anniversary was in 2008. I remember it specifically as a friend of mine bought it for her niece and showed it to me. She had just recently married and stood up for me two weeks later when I got married, which was Dec. 27, 1958. So, someones trying to stir up more muck, it seems to me. Why wasn't this the subject of outrage on Baribie's 50th anniversary - last year?
Critical thinking - our other national deficit.
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Barbie is a child's toy, I care more about what the article says.
It's good article. Really? I read it at least twice, and I couldn't figure out whether the author was angry with cowardice, terrorism, Muslims in general, advertising, or the patriarchy. And if it was the patriarchy, it hardly needs a burka to cause a philosophical problem with Barbie's image of woman-as-subordinate. What points did you find most pertinent?
Last edited by Mellowicious; 12/10/09 11:08 PM.
Julia
A 45’s quicker than 409
Betty’s cleaning’ house for the very last time
Betty’s bein’ bad
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