Panelists L to R: Asya Harrison, Amirah Saafir, L. Monique Ward, Antwaan Michael Simpkins, Kristin Denise Rowe, and Amirah Kambe

In honor of Black History Month, Cal State Fullerton’s College of Health and Human Development hosted a screening of “Black Barbie”, a documentary that explores the introduction of a Barbie of color to the toy line, along with an expert Q&A panel on Feb. 6 at the Titan Student Union. 

Directed and written by Lagueria Davis, “Black Barbie” is a deep dive into the significance of the first Black Barbie doll to hit the market in the ‘80s. Sparked by Davis’ grandmother Beulah Mae Mitchell, David outlines the build-up to the initial release of the first Black Barbie, and the significance and need for inclusive representation.

CSUF’s own Amirah Saafir, Ph.D. and child and adolescent studies professor, is featured in the film and provided research for the film. 

Shana Charles, Bill Preston, and Amirah Saafir at the screening of “Black Barbie” at CSUF’s Titan Student Union on Feb. 6

Shana Charles, mayor pro tem and CSUF associate professor in public health presented a proclamation from the City of Fullerton to Bill Preston. Charles and Saafir introduced the film and a partial screening of the film followed the proclamation.  

“This film explores the history of Black Barbie and specifically focuses on the three Black women who were at the helm of conceptualizing her, who were the ones who said “We should have a Barbie who looks like me,” who decided what she should look like and has made sure she exists in the form that we see her in today,” Saafir said. “I had the honor of contributing research. My particular role in it was looking at how Black Barbie impacts children today.”

Closing out the three-hour event, a panel took to the stage as a Q&A was hosted by CSUF Psychology Professor Asya Harrison, Ph.D., and undergraduate public health student Amirah Kambe. Providing discourse on the nation’s political climate and the influence of inclusion, the panelists opened the door to enthralling and important conversations about political and societal influence in media, racism, and inclusivity. 

“Black Barbie was in the background of my childhood,” Saafir said. “Black Barbie, she’s not just a doll. She’s a cultural icon that impacts representation and toys in media and what it means for identity development and personal development to see somebody that looks like you.”

A notion that “Black Barbie” highlighted is that a movement toward inclusivity and representation has only been accomplished at a small scale, and there are more efforts to be made. While there are strides toward inclusivity, taking note of what is deemed as palatable in Western society it is important to acknowledge and critique the non-inclusive or racist notions that can arise. 

“The figure of the Black Barbie is allowed to mature, expand and take on different contours from the neck down not because of representation but because we have a collection of white women who want bodies they cannot have or afford,” Antwann Michael Simpkins, UCLA sociology professor who was featured in “Black Barbie”, said during the Q&A. “What I think makes that moment possible are the Kim Kardashians that want to be Black women.”

“Black Barbie” is available on Netflix. The film is rated for mature audiences and has a run time of one hour and 34 minutes.

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