During December I tried to stay out of the shopping frenzy that is often a part of the Christmas season. Try as I might, though, I did go to Target one evening to look for toys for our “adopted” niece and nephew. She is 3 and he is 5. They are the children of some of our best friends who are in a bi-racial marriage. Both are from Spain and he is of Congolese descent. Their children are a beautiful blend of both of them. If you were to look at them and try to categorize them you might think they were what we call “African American.” While none of this information is important in regard to who they are, it is important to my description of what happened at Target.
In the first five minutes in the toy section, I immediately saw what I wanted to get 5 year old Gael. He and I have spent many days playing baseball in our backyard during parties and barbecues. When I saw the bat, the very soft, heavy ball and the “T” stand, I knew that was the gift for him! Easy Peasy! I put it in the cart and decided this whole thing would be a breeze. Next I turned my sights toward finding a gift for 3 year old Naia. What a rude awakening. As I walked down aisle after aisle of “girl” toys, I was deeply dismayed by how many toys had pictures of blond hair, blue-eyed girls! Some of them had pictures of brown haired girls, but always with very white skin. Once I realized what was happening I began paying careful attention. I stood in the toy aisle feeling broken hearted about the fact that this precious girl would look all around her and not see herself on any toys.
For years we have been hearing about how our culture, including television, ads, magazines, movies, etc…is geared toward people with “white” or light skin. For years work has been done by so many to educate, deepen awareness and change deeply formed habits. Sometimes it even seems as if we are making progress. But my experience before Christmas at a major retail store like Target made me feel as if we have taken 5 steps backwards. All I could think about is how Naia could end up internalizing the images she is seeing on the various toys. I know what you might be thinking. You might be thinking, “Did she see the new dark skinned princess that Disney has created?” The answer is, “Yes, I saw her, and she was one of several princesses so she didn’t stand out.” While you may be thinking that is at least progress, I would both agree and disagree. It’s progress, perhaps, but not enough and especially not enough given how much time has passed since we have become aware of the damage it does to children’s psyches to see blond hair and blue eyes held up as the “majority” or “preferable” or “sellable” image. Disney isn’t alone in its transgressions.
Last night I went to a tribute for MLK, Jr. In 1963 we heard about “The Dream.” Why are we still seeing toys that worship and sell light skin and light hair? Better yet, what we can do about it? The only thing I could think of at the moment was to refuse to buy any toy that bought into the light skinned myth. So, I bought her a toy computer instead. There were no children pictured on the package. Okay, my true confession is that it was pink and I try hard not to reinforce the color pink as a color for girls. But, honestly, I think it was the best I could do under the circumstances. I am still agitated about the whole experience even a month later so perhaps there is more I need to do. Please join me in boycotting all toys that do not evenly represent children of color in their ads and on their packaging. Naia and Gael are God’s precious creations, as are all children, and I want every child to see themselves as such without concern for skin color.