Photo: Mattel
Amid backlash and claims that its Tokyo 2020 Barbie collection did not have Asian American representation, Mattel is admitting that it “fell short” in its attempts to represent the community.
While Asian American athletes likeSuni Lee stole the showat theTokyo Summer Olympics, viewers at home were left upset over the fact that the line of five Olympic athlete Barbies did not appear to include a doll of Asian descent.
“I won’t be buying Barbie dolls for my two girls,” Mai Xiong, Michigan Macomb County Commissioner, wrote onTwitter. “No representation whatsoever.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Mattel acknowledges the criticism, and says that the skateboarder doll — which has reddish, light brown hair — was meant to represent the Asian community, but missed the mark.
Mattel
The statement adds that moving forward, Mattel “will work to find more ways to champion all representation and celebrate the amazing achievements of all Olympic athletes, who are showing us that anything is possible.”
The collection of dolls wasfirst introduced in February 2020, and included figurines representing five sports new to the Olympic games: surfing, sport climbing, skateboarding, softball and karate.
Apress releaseat the time said the line of products “highlights inclusivity and innovation,” and would “inspire a new generation of athletes and fans around the world.”
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But after Barbietweeted photosof the collection in late July, backlash was swift.
“Major failure! Where is the doll that looks Asian? Especially Olympic 2020 is taking place in Japan which is an Asian country. @Mattel this is a disaster, whether it’s accidental or intentional,” oneTwitteruser wrote.
“The absence of an Asian Barbie is notable despite Mattel’s desire to empower and support diversity and inclusion. This while featuring a (Japanese) karate uniform too! What a missed opportunity to access a large and growing consumer market and to fully reflect Mattel’s values,” anotherwrote.
Barbie has made likenesses of famous Asian athletes in the past, including gold medalsnowboarder Chloe Kimandtennis star Naomi Osaka.
This year’s recently concluded Olympics included several notable Asian American athletes, including Suni Lee, an Hmong American gymnast who is the first Asian American to win gold in the gymnastics individual all around, and Lee Kiefer, a Filipina American fencer who is the first Asian American woman to win a fencing gold in general,NBC Newsreported.
source: people.com
