What's This Barbie Doll Thing All About?

Apparently increasing numbers of black women have decided to give in to the beauty stereotype of the counter culture and are going for the blonde hair and blue eyes look that's become the standard for some sectors of the entertainment and fashion industries. But what's the fascination black women are having with the Barbie doll image, the candy colored hair, the hot-pink lipstick and the  waist cinching clothing? Crazy costumes and colorful hair may be good gimmicks, but how about having the talent to sustain you without all of the distractions. Take Nicki Minaj for example:

Reason No. 1: Nicki Minaj’s “It’s Barbie bitch” picked up where Lil’ Kim left off. "I don't know, I feel like Nicki is glorifying the hypersexualized image of female beauty more than she is critiquing it. I don't think the average listener is going to peel back the layers and realize that the impossible body proportions Nicki's sporting shows that American beauty standards are messed up," comments one blogger Laura.

Reason No. 2: Not to be outdone and to reclaim the title Lil Kim appears here rocking a blonde wig and blue eyes for folks to think Kim was beautiful again. "I always got the sense that Black Barbie image was more about the perfection of black women because Barbie = perfection. They are calling themselves the best," says blogger Rebecca.




 Reason No. 3: Rihanna may have toned it down in favor of a more realistic look with the fire-engine red hair, but the message is there. The Barbie Doll images is a means of connecting themselves with girls and girl culture. In Barbie’s world, clothes, cars and exciting lifestyles are the priority. "They want little girls to see them and look up to them, like she would with Barbie, but identify with the kick ass message in the next verse," continues Rebecca.






 Reason No. 4: Rapper Diamond
"It’s like fighting a losing battle when it comes to being a female rapper. You’re going against all odds and you just have to go hard with your work," explains the former Crime Mob member.
To carve out a place for themselves in the industry female rappers  are often forced to choose between tomboy or boy toy personas.

Reason No. 1: It's all gimmick. According to Harlem newcomer Azealia Banks, “I think a lot of the things [Nicki Minaj] started doing with her look were distracting,” she says. “I think she’s talented enough to sustain a very fruitful career without the ugly wigs and ugly costumes,” concludes the girl rapper who''s ben known to take on industry giants like T.I. and Minaj.