I distinctly remember when my five-year-old daughter Channing started developing a mind of her own. Back in 1992, she celebrated her fifth birthday with a sleepover at our new home. The gifts she received from the party, the typical little girl presents, mostly dolls and all Barbie’s. During this time, I have strong recollections that my millennial never embraced the Barbie dolls.
My great surprise that my kindergartener knew what she wanted at that age. She didn’t want the world’s most famous fashion doll, Barbie, as other little black and white girls. What’s a mother to do with limited doll choices? Start a mission at Toys R Us shopping for doll babies reflecting African American hair and skin color. The selections were slim.
For my avid reader, I stumbled upon Pleasant Company’s American Girl paperback collection series featuring little girls representing periods of American history. One of the eras included fictional historical character Addy Walker’s life after escaping slavery.
Channing read all the books on Addy and subscribed to the American Girl magazine. My Dad purchased Addy for Chan’s 7th birthday. Over the years, we participated in regional events such as fashion shows where Channing modeled as Addy and attended an ice cream social for Samantha.
What’s worth noting about the American Girl doll, Addy Walker, her textured hair, and not by accident darker skin. The Addy fictional character reminds me of my Channing, brave, loving, kind, and thoughtful.
Little did I know my Channing took a stand early in life with those Barbie dolls, showing her assertiveness to speak her mind. I still see you standing up for yourself, this time for fairness and injustices rather than be silent. Dare I say Black Girl Magic?
Just what is Black Girl Magic? In 2013, CaShawn Thompson coined the popular social movement, Black Girls Are Magic. The concept born as a way to celebrate the beauty, power, and resilience of Black women.
Michelle Obama on Black Girl Magic at a 2015 Black GIrls Rock speech said that young black girls often heard, “voices that you’re not good enough, that you have to look a certain way, act a certain way; that if you speak up, you’re too loud; if you step up to lead, you’re too bossy.”
The point of this post isn’t to attack or degrade any little girl that relished Barbie but my own daughter’s passion for being decisive at an early age.
As always, thank you for reading. Please stay safe and healthy; Coronavirus is still lurking about the world.
