One of my friends mentioned that she wasn’t too happy when she had received an AG catalog. While the other dolls of various ethnicities were fashionably dressed, the black doll was dressed liked a poor person. She was so upset that she threw out the magazine. Well alrighty then!
I don’t work for American Girl and I have had my own issues with them in the past (regarding price), but I felt the need to share an alternate view. The doll that she had seen was the historical American Girl Addy doll.
The doll is described on the AG site as the following:
“An inspirational side of the Civil War era comes to life in the courageous story of Addy Walker. Along with her mother, Addy is escaping slavery to find her father and brother, who’ve been sold away. Once Addy arrives in Philadelphia, she hopes that her family will be together again soon—and discovers that freedom isn’t always fair.”
I studied African-American and Women’s History and Sociology in college, so I actually don’t mind the doll. While I can see why it could be offensive, slavery is a (awful) part of Black history. The other reason that I’m not offended is that there are other brown doll options…by other companies and by American Girl. Cecile and the customizable “My American Girl” line that has several beautiful medium and dark skin dolls that you can customize to your daughter’s style are the two other brown doll options from American Girl. On a side note, my “issue” with the dolls in the past was purely economic. They are expensive. However, I have been volunteering with girls so I know the popularity of these American Girl dolls. Some little girls are OBSESSED with them. Frankly, that doesn’t bother me as much anymore when I consider all of the other awful things that they could be fixated on!
Moving on…there are also many other different brown doll options from a variety of companies. I remember that when I was growing up, there was two…three options tops. Now, just looking through toy mailers, I can easily find over twenty options in addition to the three American Girl dolls. Brown doll images might not be where everyone wants them to be (they are still more likely to be “friends” than the focus of lines; limited stock availability; more expensive; etc.) but we’ve come a long way baby (i.e. Doc McStuffins)! Below are some other brown doll options…
1. Aisha (Winx)
4. American Girl Cecile Doll and Paperback Book
7. Corolle is one of my favorite lines that carry brown dolls. I have written about Naima (from the Mon Premier line for babies). My niece grew SO attached to her! This year I received the Tidoo Candy Graceful and the new Cecile doll for editorial consideration. The Tidoo is a bath doll that I think will make bathtime more enjoyable for little ones, but the Cécile fashion doll is the one that I think girls will love the most this holiday season.
11. Barbie So In Style Kara And Kianna dolls
12. Little Mommy doll
13. Loving Family dolls
15. Orange Blossom (Strawberry Shortcake Friend)
16. Robecca Steam (Monster High) doll
19. Disney Princess Tiana (including their toddler doll)
{Post images courtesy of my Amazon affiliate partner}