So, I set about to find a cloth doll, gender-neutral, not White. Couldn’t find one. Turned to plush dolls. I was disgusted to see that “Latino” Cabbage Patch dolls are cheaper than the White ones, and that the Black CP dolls are even less expensive than the Latino ones. What kind of a message does THAT send?! So, I skipped over those.

I really wanted a Latino doll, b/c I am bi-racial Latina, but all of the so-called Latino dolls I found are not really Latino at all. To that end, Jason: why make Latina/o dolls if you’re going to give them White names? There’s nothing Latino about Sasha or Louis. Names are as important as the skin color.

So, I think we’ve settled on an African American/Black boy doll from Kaboodle. I hear your internal battle about race, but I always had dolls of different ethnicities growing up and maybe I can use this doll to spark conversation down the road with my son. I understand the message that it could send, as you pointed out, but I’m hoping that with continued discussion in our home that that won’t be the message it sends.

I was tempted to buy a doll from Multicultural Kids inc., because they come with differently-abled “accessories.” I realize this is perhaps an even more blatant issue than a White child playing with a Black doll. However, as a differently-abled person myself, I appreciate it. I think we need to start conversations with our children young about different abilities, and to help them see everyone as beautiful and capable, and that dolls can play a big role in that.

What are your thoughts?

At THREE I could read the scandalised tone in her voice. "But wouldn't you like a white one, with brown hair and freckles like you?"

"NO! I want a black one with teeth and dimples!"
Said doll was duly produced, and yes, she was black with teeth and dimples.

My grandmother bought me one of those Cornsilk Hair versions a few years later, who was an Aryan Nation sort.

[I spent quite a few years as a little girl angsting over the fact that I didn't look anything like any of the (blonde, blue-eyed) princesses in my stories.]

I noticed a lot w/ the Kathe Kruse dolls, which I love, that almost all are white. DD has a Nicki Baby & they are all white. I really love the smallish baby girls that line has, one is black & SO ADORABLE, the other is white-blonde, perfect for my little baby as it does look like her. It would be able to be nice to afford both one day, HAHA, but kinda weird, as an all-white family, to only buy her the black one, I think. Kind of patronizing, although she really is the cuter of the two.

I am sad that there are not more cloth boy dolls. And $100??? For a DOLL??? It had better be made out of spun gold! I don't really care how well it is made, that is criminal to charge that much for a doll. Even $40 is A LOT. I get made fun of terribly for having bought a Nicki Baby at $20 ~ basically for a Beanie Baby ~ that has been bad enough! So, hmm, yes, seems like this whole doll business gives us too much to get worked up about!

I do believe that your company is making an effort, which is why we gave (and will continue to give) you our business. The comment on “racist (non)selection of dolls” was aimed at the manufacturer of the Big Friends dolls, which is what we ultimate purchased (Louis, in fact, though I strongly disagree there is anything Latino in flavor about him; brown eyes and red-brown hair with pale pale skin does not a Latino make, though there may be Latinos with those features), as we could not afford the Waldorf dolls and none of the others met our requirements.

The gender disparity comment was about the broader selection options of dolls, especially on, say, Etsy, rather than about your company in particular (although on re-read, I understand the confusion), though again, the Big Friends dolls come in a 4 female, 2 male ratio.

This was not an indictment of your company at all, just a description of our journey and the race and gender implications thereof. I mentioned your company only in passing, and linked to it only because I would recommend it in general.

Thanks for stopping by.

-Arwyn

I am a little confused about your assessment of the dolls that we sell. We sell gender neutral (bambino, cuddle doll, etc.) as well as gendered (little friends, big friends, waldorf dolls) which span a price range from $20-115. Gender neutral dolls come in light and dark skin. Waldorf dolls come in equal numbers of boys + girls and also come in a range of skin tones. Big Friends do lack a dark skin option, but feature Sasha and Louis, dolls which are definitely Latina/o in flavor.

Perhaps I misunderstood your assessment of our offerings, but I think that we are at least making an effort.

If there is some way in which we can improve our selection, please feel free to contact me directly.

-jason