Wal-Mart's Black Barbie Sale
[UPDATE: We've followed up on this story here: "Barbiegate: What We Learned"]
Never let it be said that Wal-Mart doesn't know how to pander for a fast buck. The megachain acknowledged today that it's selling ethnic Barbie dolls for about half of what it charges for Caucasian Barbies.
The store was forced into the admission after a Louisiana-based shopper posted a photo, seen here, of the diverse dolls—and their respective pricetags—side by side in a Wal-Mart. As the good-humored Latino-interest blog Guanabee put it: "The same exact doll, in Caucasian, commands almost double the price! Who says Barbie dolls don’t supply young girls with a realistic portrayal of womanhood?"
(Interestingly, ABC News reported that the dolls were "black," while Guanabee called them "brown." Ambiguity abounds—except for Wal-Mart's contention that whatever they are, they're worth less than white ballerinas.)
For its part, the chain said it was selling the darker-skinned Ballerina Theresa Barbie dolls on the cheap because it needs to "clear shelf space for its new spring inventory." Which must make Theresa feel oh, so special.
No word yet from Wal-Mart, though, on when your kids will be able to find Burka Barbie on your local shelves.
[UPDATE: We've followed up on this story here: "Barbiegate: What We Learned"]
Comments
I don't understand what your
I don't understand what your problem is.
Normally your complaint is that African American girls still want to play with "Caucasian" dolls. So here is Walmart, trying to sell all their dolls, and lowering the price on "African American" dolls so they will sell too. And what happens? You complain?
If they kept the price artificially high at the same price as the "Caucasian" dolls, you'd complain too, because the dolls were not selling at the same rate, and the dolls were remaining on the shelves, and the African American kids were still buying the Caucasian dolls.
Truth is, Walmart is probably doing the right thing here, and you are just being an I-see-racism-everywhere jerk.
Dear Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
You're right. Maybe Wal-Mart should drop the price of white ballerina Barbie to be affordable, too. Or maybe we should stop buying our daughters dolls that condition them to want to be docile, doe-like, impossibly proportioned, and easily manipulated. I could see why conservatives would oppose that, though. It would further drain their pools of fundraisers and voters.
Best,
A.
"I could see why
"I could see why conservatives would oppose that, though. "
Ha Ha you turkey, I'm probably more a liberal than you are. If you insist on a whose more Democrat/liberal penis fight, I'll happily measure up.
Face it though, you aren't applying any liberal principles here. Now you're demanding Walmart drop the price of their "white dolls" to suit your racial demands. Under what liberal principle does that follow?
Then you shift the goal posts and make some sort of claim to feminism that all these dolls are bad. Whatever. There were about two years when my daughters wanted Barbies and no longer after that.
But Astronaut Barbie and others Barbies doe-like?
You're really an idiot.
Newt, you're the toughest
Newt, you're the toughest dude around!!! Seriously, slinging mud comfortably at home when theres no chance Mr Weinstein will ever meet you....you should go on ultimate fighter you archetypal badass you. I bet you could take on Mike Tyson and Chuck Norris in their prime with one hand tied behind your back and 50lb weights tied to each leg.
I'm so jealous I'm not you.
Dear Newt
Dear Newt,
Thanks for singlehandedly boosting our pageviews! Patronizing you really pays off in spades.
Now, if you'll kindly point out to me where I make "racial demands," I'll gladly cede all phallus-related contests to you.
Best,
The Idiot
P.S. How did you know that was my favorite Dostoeyevsky story?
I am not Newt, but I agree
I am not Newt, but I agree with him.
"Maybe Wal-Mart should drop the price of white ballerina Barbie to be affordable, too"
I could be wrong, but I think that is what he means by a racial demand.
If a particular barbie doll isn't selling well, and they have to make room for more, they put that item on sale. Nothing racist about it.
This is journalism at its worst.
you
eat your goddamn Combos and shut the Front door!
You're absolutely right.
Complaints like the one in this article are the reason that liberals don't get taken seriously.
Signed,
A liberal who actually picks her battles
Jesus lady, irony--try it
Jesus lady, irony--try it sometime. As long as we're complaining about "liberals" stop being so holier-than-thou-serious and, you know, get a sense of humor.
Did anybody consider...
Did anybody consider the upside to a great sale on brown-skinned Barbies? Maybe Caucasian parents will be more inclined to purchase a Teresa or a Nikki doll because of the price. A Barbie is a Barbie, right? Times are hard. Maybe we could use a little diversity at the "Dreamhouse".
I certainly hope so, but as a
I certainly hope so, but as a past toy store employee, I know which dolls ended up in the trash bin or clearance sale... And it ain't the caucasian one.
Ok so I am an avid barbie
Ok so I am an avid barbie collector and a liberal and the first thing I have to say is the Black Babrie's name is not Teresa. The Hispanic Babrie's name is Teresa. The Black Barbie is name Christie, I have to agree with the woman who mentioned the fact that maybe more parents will purchase a black barbie based on the sale. I have always made a point to purchase my daughter ( who is blonde and blue eyed) barbies with diversity, we have a white ken a black ken three black females, One red head, three Teresa and blonde barbies too. I am currently looking for a Asian barbie to add to my collection. So I think everyone should just take advantage of the sale and purchase the black barbies. As for Barbie I don't think that she gave me a bad self image, if anything I think I was able to do or be whatever I wanted to be through her. I worked in retail in college if something is not selling then yeah you have to clear it out!
Thanks Everyone!
one more thing...
I just wanted to add at least there was even a black barbie available to purchase! when as a child growing up in the 1980s in Utah there was no other choice then the blond and blue eyed barbie. I am thrilled to be able to supply my daughter with some diversity.
Walmart and the Black Barbie Doll Controversy
To anonymous: You are so right - to remain anonymous! The real problem here is people like yourself who try to rationalise the inherent inherited racism played out EVERY SINGLE DAY in sooooo many ways in this (could be) great country of ours! And the very sad part about it is that inherently you KNOW it exists but the majority population (whites) hasn't the moral strength to openly admit and address the problem and herein lies the 21st century's greatest challenge and dilemma. In a very few years (my life time) the demograhics if this country will demonstrate a new paradigm - white will be a minority; "as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end (Bible)"
"For its part, the chain said
"For its part, the chain said it was selling the darker-skinned Ballerina Theresa Barbie dolls on the cheap because it needs to "clear shelf space for its new spring inventory." Which must make Theresa feel oh, so special."
If Walmart loses season after season on the "African American" dolls, just because they keep the prices high to satisfy your weird racial needs, what do you think the outcome will be? Walmart stocks more and more African American dolls? Don't think so.
Dear Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for the microeconomics lesson. You know us progressives, never cracking a book on finance or business unless it contains the words "dialectic" and "materialism" together. It's a comfort to know that the invisible hand of Adam Smith does in fact ordain - and justify - all that Wal-Mart does. Who knew that texts that describe the activities of firms in capitalist economies texts were moral texts, too? Whatever will I do with my Bible now?
Best,
A.
Jam your Bible up your ass. I
Jam your Bible up your ass.
I am probably more liberal than you. I do have an MBA from UC Berkeley. I may or may not be as Jewish as you. But jam your bible anyway up your tuchis, I couldn't give a shit.
There are lots of liberal entrepreneurs and free market types around. Unless suddenly Adam, you're calling out Paul Krugman, Dean Baker, Robert Reich, etc. as conservatives merely because they believe in a free market.
Face it Adam, you got caught, and now you are spinning wildly. I must be a conservative bible thumper if I dare to tell you how full of shit you are.
Instead, why not tell us what liberal principles you rely on to demand Walmart price its dolls the way you wish.
Dear Newt
Dear Newt,
Thanks for your suggestion on what I can do with my Bible! That really helps. Though, since you've graduated from phallic to Semitic contests, I'll have to concede to you again, seeing as how I'm Presbyterian. Thanks for presuming, though.
I'm disappointed that you assumed I loathe free markets, though. Does Berkeley have continuing ed program? If so, I can heartily recommend the "principles of sarcasm" course. It's probably an undergrad English section, but I'm sure they won't hold your MBA against you.
Fecally yours,
A.
Medium-skinned Barbie
Actually, looks like darker-skinned Barbie is Nikki. Ballerina Teresa is a medium-tan color, lighter than Nikki but darker than Barbie. See here: http://shop.mattel.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3882811.
Thanks Jen!
...To say nothing of the fact that previous reports misspelled Ballerina Teresa's name. (Will check to see if that's the journos' bust or Wal-Mart's.) Fact check to the rescue!
Burka Barbie
I laughed, but doesn't that remark smack of a little racism itself?
Dear Don
Dear Don,
Good question! Can you imagine the moral dilemma that Wal-Mart executives put themselves through when deciding whether or not to market an actual Burka Barbie? No, I really can't, either.
Keep on reading and commenting!
Best,
A.
"Newt: Adam, her lower price
"Newt: Adam, her lower price doesn't bother my self-esteem because she's just a piece of plastic, but I thank you for your knee-jerk patronizing."
Dear Newt
Dear Newt,
Glad to hear Barbies don't affect your self esteem. Disappointed to hear I do, since you confessed that you feel patronized. I thought newts - or is it trolls? - were made of stronger stuff. Nonetheless, I'll try to use words with fewer syllables in the future, so's you feel more on a par.
P.S. My knees are just fine, thanks. I find that "restless leg syndrome" tends to strike the birthers and Tea Partiers more these days.
Hey dipshit, do you know
Hey dipshit, do you know which Newt, Newt was referring to?
Just curious.
Dear Newt
Dear Newt,
I could venture a guess that you're referring to a now-extinct political species. But either way, it amounts to a cold-blooded reptile with poor eyesight that roots in dirt. Can't imagine what subconscious motives could have impelled you to use such a moniker.
Oh, and sorry to have struck a nerve with the patronizing. I sometimes forget how literal and acerbically insecure MBAs can be!
Keep reading and commenting --
Dippin' it all the way,
A.
It's a quote about
It's a quote about patronizing little girls taken from the movie Aliens.
So after your article about
So after your article about perceived racism, you go ahead and stereotype MBAs. You stay classy, Weinstein.
Get a life
How about this: Walmart sells goods at the price they choose, and if we don't like their prices, politics, etc, we shop elsewhere.
Conservatives are obnoxious, but so are whining liberals who want to mind-control ideas of what racism is and how everyone should be behaving.
Liberal/conservative paranoias and biases are annoying and unfun.
How about this: Freedom instead. For everyone. Not just for those who conform to your political perspective.
To me, this is one of those
To me, this is one of those -laughs then shakes head- moments. Yeah, sometimes liberals seem to get a little too worked up over moments of racism. However, its Walmart, a company that isn't exactly known for being an equal opportunity employer.
What I find ironic is all the comments defending walmart on a progressive news site. Maybe its just me, but that shits just hilarious!!!
Look at the situation: Adam
Look at the situation: Adam is demanding Walmart INCREASE it's prices to save the self-esteem of African American girls. That's what I find bizarre.
Adam would prefer higher prices to lower prices.
I went back and read the
I went back and read the article again. I didn't read anything indicating that Adam is advocating a change in their prices. Maybe he said that in the comments but unfortunately, I don't have time to read all of them.
Who gives a shit...
This was a worthless article. Also, you're a douche.
lolwat
adam is a troll, must be. he makes no sense and keeps bashing randomly expecting more attention.
product doesnt sell, make it cheaper so it does. racism in this case is in the eyes of the beholder.
the only real issue here is that girls dont liek black dolls because tv and media tell them black is ugly. i recommend watching Chris Rock´s movie "Good Hair".
Its good that all the real
Its good that all the real news has been reported so that we can focus on shit like this..
/s
Interestingly enough, these
Interestingly enough, these same economic principles apply to prostitutes as well.
just look in the "adult services" section of craigslist.
Wow guys. This is what
Wow guys. This is what companies do when products don't sell well. It doesn't mean anything other than that.
You should write some article and try to make a deal out of it!
To imply that wal-mart is
To imply that wal-mart is selling these dolls at a lower price due to a racial incentive rather than an business one is absurd. Business operates for its bottom line and reducing a price on a similar item is due solely to its demand, it's simple economics.
Creating a controversy where non-exists is exactly why racism and other stereotypes exist in America as prominently as they still do.
Adam Weinstein
Adam Weinstein,
I landed here because of digg and rarely read the comments on lower class blogs like this but I did this morning. I have reaffirmed why I don't. You are an arrogant asshole who needs to put others down to raise your own self esteem. I really hope you seek help. Go out with a "Working Joe" and have a beer and listen to him talk without putting him down. You may learn a few things about real life.
Good bye
MJM
Market?
Walmart sets the market not the other way around. They've worked hard at it over the years. An example that has to do with race, during Black History Month they CHOSE to promote violent movies but not positive movies. They cited the market like many here but since the decision was made beforehand without ever trying t sell the positive films.
I'm sure Walmart defenders would argue that their racially discriminatory employment practices were fair as well. Just neutral employment policies right?
It's all about Supply and
It's all about Supply and Demand. There is less demand for Black Barbie, so they discount it to make room for the next model.
If people continue to complain about things like this, Walmart will probably just pull all the Black Barbies from Inventory and from Future purchases for fear that it will again draw publicity and for fear that it will be a waste of inventory dollars.
i say we invent a barbie that can cater to all markets!
we can call her Fun in the Sun Barbie to explain the tan.. Lower the bust size so that you arent quite sure what sex the barbie is. Darken the skin so that the barbie could be latina, white with a tan, or black... We need to shorten the hair a bit and take away any hint of curls so that it doesnt look to feminine.
Also, can we add a hint of an adams apple? I would hate if i bought my son a doll that he couldnt connect with..
And... we need to change the name Barbie to something a little more ambiguous like "Pat" for instance. Fun in the Sun Pat!!! its great!
Supply vs Demand
This just in, Wal-mart adjusts prices to the law of supply and demand. Nothing to see here, move along.
This isn't an
This isn't an African-American doll, it's just a darker skinned barbie doll. Calls of racism are premature. Also, Louisiana has a larger than average percentage of blacks, so I'd imagine a black barbie would sell pretty well.
I don't see what the big deal is. The doll will end up naked and missing an arm in a few days anyway, once some three year old gets it.
This reminds me of my four year old daughter's recent doll choice - a black plush doll with an obviously ethnic name (I don't remember what is was right now). We're white, so it struck me as funny that she wanted that doll so bad. And then it made me sad that it struck me as funny.
They sell for less because
They sell for less because the customer demand is less. Maybe if the demand were higher they'd raise the price.
Post didn't have bias
Adam, I haven't read your other posts so I can't comment like long time readers that are blasting you above. I also won't try to prove that I'm more liberal or conservative like half the posts. Ha!
I thought your article was pretty non-biased and just reporting what you found. Good article. I think that the quotes/references you cited are trying to find racism where there isn't any, not you. Walmart has a software system which decides what items to mark down based on low sales.
If you say that most little girls will want a doll that looks like them and you see that the U.S. population is 13% and caucasian is 75%, it makes sense that they wouldn't sell as well. That's not saying that white kids don't have the black dolls and black kids don't have the white dolls, just saying that the majority of the time...
For Louisiana the statistics are 32% black, 65% white.
Dear MoJo, if you would get
Dear MoJo, if you would get rid of the "Homepage" field of the comment forms, much of your spam would disappear.
Also:
Ban comments with more than two urls in them, or make them recaptcha 2 or 3 times.
Ban comments that don't use ISO-8859-1 or UTF-8 encoding, or make them recaptch 4-5 times.
Just more crap
Barbies are crap and Wal-Mart is crap. Enough said.
Maybe if the barbie sold..
Retailers lower prices on items that aren't selling. The white Barbie was probably selling fine, but the black barbie wasn't, so therefore they lower the price to attempt to move the product and replace it with something new. Mexicans and Blacks are so fucking aggravating always claiming racism everywhere. Maybe if you people bought some black barbies for your kids there wouldn't be a surplus of them and they wouldn't have to discount them, but I'm sure its white peoples fault that you don't buy your kids the black barbie. Go back to Mexico or Africa if you don't like it here.
Speaking of racism
Um- speaking of racism: "Go back to Mexico or Africa" WTF!? Downside to the internet, it allows racist pos's to say whatever disgusting cess pool nonsense leaks out their malnourished undereducated excuse for gray matter. And exactly who are you talking to when you say "you people"? If you haven't noticed the author of this piece is white, neanderthal. How about you go back to the cave you crawled out of.
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