It started like any other day. I woke up, attended my classes,and met a study group in the library. Since our topic was giftedchildren, the conversation naturally turned to Halloween costumeideas for couples. One of my group members suggested Barbie andKen, then added, "Oh, but Barbie and Ken broke up."
I looked at her as if she had suddenly and without warning growna third arm. She insisted that it was true and, based on herextensive knowledge of every doll's name and his/her relationshipto Barbie, I had little reason to doubt her word.
Why am I always the last to know these things?
To fill in my fellow Barbie outcasts, Barbie and Ken broke uptwo days before Valentine's Day after 43 years of representingpurity, innocence and the possibility of a happily-ever-after life.It was not a messy breakup; Barbie did not put all of Ken's fittedjackets, tuxedos and silken prince outfits in a box and set itablaze in his front yard. According to Russell Arons, vicepresident of marketing at Mattel and Barbie's mouthpiece to themasses, they simply feel it's time to spend some time apart, butwill remain friends. Sure. We've heard that one before.
In April, Barbie.com held a poll to determine what would becomeof the newly single Barbie. Voters had five choices: two brand newultra-studly dolls, Blaine, the Australian surfer, and Diego, theadventuresome Hispanic swimmer; Barbie's equally studly AfricanAmerican friend, Steven, from the Barbie and the Rockers era;reconciliation with the studly, yet predictable, Ken; or the jollyrealm of singledom. Blaine won the popular vote and is beingmarketed, even as you read these words, in the Cali Girl line asBarbie's boyfriend.
I have several issues with this.
First, Barbie and Ken have no reason to break up. Quickresearch: according to a Web site sponsored by Americans forDivorce Reform, some top causes for divorce are financial problems,lack of commitment and infidelity. They had everything they wanted,and Barbie had about 600 jobs. They were almost always together.They had money. They had commitment. They had fidelity. Who couldask for anything more?
"Ah," you say, "But Barbie and Ken weren't married." That may betrue, but when you date someone for 43 consecutive years, thatought to guarantee a certain degree of stability for you, yourpartner and those around you. Besides, after 43 years of dating thesame man, Cali Girl Barbie would realistically be more of anEmotional Baggage Barbie and would certainly not have the figurefor board shorts and bikinis.
Finally, Mattel allowed young girls to choose who Barbie woulddate, thereby revealing how they see themselves. Rather than Barbiecrossing the boundaries of race or remaining single for a while sothat she could form her own identity, she ran into the arms of aman who could pass for her twin brother, and who looks very muchlike Ken in many ways.
Is there no consistency in life? What's next? Will peanut butterbreak up with jelly? I urge you to think on this business of Barbiedrama while pondering the future of our nation.
I'd like to, but Ken's waiting for me in the Ferrari.
Write to Aleshia at
aahaselden@bsu.edu
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