I Love Barbie

It's Barbie's 50th birthday this year. In honor of the "Barbie Doll," here's my Barbie story and painting.

As a kid (I was born in 1973), my best friend and I played with many Barbie dolls, our Barbies had a plane, a hot tub, a camper, and a sweet apartment. To give you an idea of what kind of girls we were, my best friend and I also: rode our bikes down sand dunes, rescued animals, played war with batteries, did some break dancing, were competitive gymnasts, lifted weights, spent all day in the woods, and choreographed dances to an Alvin and the Chipmunks LP full of pop covers.

I left for NYC after high school, where I took classes on sexism, at the New School. I learned there that Barbie was evil and one of the reasons for the oppression of women, (her and her impossible figure and straight hair). I quickly wrote off Barbie.

Ten years later, in 2005, I give birth to my baby girl.

In 2008, at age three, she talked me into the unthinkable, renting a Barbie movie. "Barbie and the Diamond Castle" (rocking movie) to be exact. I am that night shocked to see Barbie totally EMPOWERED. It's something you never see in the princess movies, "Stay true to your friends," was the main message. She supports herself, is kind, smart, and a rescuer. The movie is awesome with great music by Katharine McPhee.

That night I was magically transformed back into a fan of "Barbie." She may not be perfect, but at least she's trying.

And to Barbie, I say, "Sorry old friend."