The Blind Barbie: Celebrating Progress While Advocating for True Representation

Picture this: A child, just like you or me, walking down the toy aisle, searching for a doll that looks like them—a doll that reflects who they are, their experiences, their beauty. Now imagine the joy of finding that perfect match. But what happens when that match isn’t quite there? This is the story of the Blind Barbie—a significant step towards inclusivity but with one glaring missed opportunity that still needs to be addressed.

I Have Thought Long and Hard About This…

Let me start by saying that I truly appreciate Barbie’s journey towards greater diversity and inclusivity. As someone who grew up with Barbie, I have watched with interest as she evolved from a blonde, blue-eyed icon to a more multifaceted representation of society. But even at my age (somewhere in my 40s), I can’t help but wish that Barbie could represent me more accurately—a Black woman who is blind.

When I first heard about the new Blind Barbie, I was thrilled. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) worked tirelessly alongside Mattel to bring this doll to life. From the cane with its identifiable marshmallow tip to the accessible packaging featuring braille, every detail was crafted with care to represent the blind and low-vision community. The doll even has elbow articulations to ensure comfortable cane use, and her eye gaze is slightly up and out, a thoughtful nod to the experiences of many blind individuals.

The Blind Barbie is part of Barbie’s broader effort to reflect a diverse world through its Fashionistas line, which has over 175 different dolls representing various skin tones, body types, and abilities. This includes dolls with vitiligo, dolls that use a wheelchair, and dolls with prosthetic limbs. When I eagerly looked for this Barbie in my own skin tone, I was disappointed. While I applaud the effort, it’s still disheartening to see that inclusivity can sometimes feel like it falls short. Representation matters, and that includes being able to find a doll that truly looks like me—beautiful, Black, blind, and proud.

I have to admit, I’ve been hesitant to share this perspective. The release of the Blind Barbie has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, and it’s wonderful to see so many people celebrating this step forward. But I also think it’s important to recognize that there’s still more work to be done. I’m genuinely torn because I want to celebrate this milestone, but I also want to advocate for even greater inclusivity. Every child, regardless of their skin tone or ability, deserves to see themselves fully represented.

I still have hope, though. Barbie has come a long way, and I know this is just the beginning. So here’s to continuing the conversation and pushing for a world where every child , regardless of their skin tone or ability, can find themselves reflected in the toys they play with.

Special Thanks

Thank you to the AFB for all the hard work and dedication in making this Barbie a reality. And Mattel, if you’re reading this, keep up the good work, but remember, we all come in many different skin tones, and a major release like this should take that into consideration.