Dia de Muertos Barbie: Respectful Tribute, or 'Obviously Cultural Appropriation'?

[Zorro]

In Mexican culture, the Día de Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is when the gateway between the living and the dead is said to open, a holiday during which the living honor and pay respects to loved ones who have died.

A new Día de Muertos Barbie, released on Thursday, was intended less as a portal into the realm of the dead and more as a gateway into Mexican culture. At least that is what Mattel is hoping for.

“We often look at different ways to continue to engage girls and families to gain knowledge and celebrate other cultures and other parts of the world,” Michelle Chidoni, a spokeswoman for the company, said. “Our hope is for this Día de Muertos Barbie to honor the holiday for the millions that celebrate and to introduce people not familiar with the tradition to the rich meaning.”

The doll, which will retail at $75, has a black mermaid-style dress decorated with monarch butterflies, marigolds and roses. Her face is adorned with Calavera Catrina makeup and her head is embellished with a crown of marigolds.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/11/us/dia-de-muertos-barbie-mattel.html

[awesomerwb1]

1. You'll join Dia de Los Muertos

literally upon finding out the price of the doll at the register if you didn't know it beforehand.

[Bettie]

2. Not my place as a white woman to determine

if it is or not.

But, at least she's not the usual blonde/blue eyed Barbie.

I had only boys, so I haven't kept up with the world of Barbie.

[IcyPeas]

3. I think it's beautiful

was never into dolls as a child. but this is probably the coolest Barbie doll I have ever seen.

[shanti]

4. Isn't it?

I'm tempted to buy one just because it's so different. For my granddaughter, lol.

[Kali]

5. $75?!!!???

[shanti]

6. Check out the auctions for this doll on Ebay

Yikes! They start at ~$200, preorder.