Review: Black Barbie

New to Netflix this week is the documentary movie, Black Barbie. The docu-film takes a look at the history of black dolls, including the emergence and development of a black Barbie.

Written and directed by Lagueria Davis, the film centres its story around Davis’ aunt, Beulah Mitchell, a doll collector and former employee at Mattel. Beulah grew up in an era where black dolls were few and far between (or simply didn’t exist), and through a direct conversation she discusses the creation and desire for a non-white doll.

With Beulah at the heart of this documentary, the film builds its story out, bringing in various commentators to discuss the background and importance of black dolls. These commentators include high-profile figures (athlete, producer, model) who have been turned into black Barbies, as well as Kitty Black Perkins, the woman who designed the first black Barbie doll.

Their collective conversations touch upon the need for representation and acceptance, as well as the desire to move beyond the idea of black dolls being side characters. Young girls want to see black dolls as main players in their own right, and there are discussions about the aspirational need for toys which reflect real-life people.

Divided into three chapters – Before Black Barbie: A Lack of Black Dolls, After Black Barbie: Pushing Boundaries, and Future of Black Barbie: Center of Her Own Story – Black Barbie offers up a fascinating look at one of the most iconic toys of all time, and how it relates to people, race, and society as a whole. The docu-film incorporates various voices, from those who were children in the pre-black Barbie days, to the kids of today, and places diversity, inclusion, and progression at the forefront of its conversation.

What makes Black Barbie stand out is how it recognises things have improved in the world of Barbie, but also makes it clear there’s still room for further growth. Times have changed, but not quite enough, and the need for black Barbie, as well as other Barbies of colour is an ongoing story.

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Reviewer/plastic plaything

Alex Wiggan

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