Comments on: Boycott Burqa Barbie http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:06:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: From Bikini to Burqa « Communicatingpr’s Blog http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-21927 From Bikini to Burqa « Communicatingpr’s Blog Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:32:59 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-21927 [...] writer, Phyllis Chesler said, “Will clean-cut Ken now come (pun intended) with four burqa’ed Barbie doll wives?” Tags: [...] [...] writer, Phyllis Chesler said, “Will clean-cut Ken now come (pun intended) with four burqa’ed Barbie doll wives?” Tags: [...]

]]> By: student http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19684 student Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:24:39 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19684 I read this and found it to embody most of the problems of western feminism and criticism. Although I myself feel the burqa is distasteful, I find that the understanding of the headscarf in this piece is completely off base. The "Muslim women" who have stayed in your home or who have conversed with you represent a very small portion of the world. There are many forms of Islam, and those that enforce or choose the burqa exist in Afghanistan or northern Pakistan. This changes the context to a more political one--a code of dress that pre-taliban was only enforced in remote villages (not in the larger cities of Afghanistan). You ignore the criticism of the burqa in this larger context. By repeatedly enforcing this understanding of the burqa as an entirely oppressive garment, western feminism is failing to move beyond this singular image of Islamic women. If you want to know more, read more regionalized texts...but please, i beg you, these tirades about "backwardness" and "oppression" are helping no one but yourselves... I read this and found it to embody most of the problems of western feminism and criticism. Although I myself feel the burqa is distasteful, I find that the understanding of the headscarf in this piece is completely off base. The “Muslim women” who have stayed in your home or who have conversed with you represent a very small portion of the world. There are many forms of Islam, and those that enforce or choose the burqa exist in Afghanistan or northern Pakistan. This changes the context to a more political one–a code of dress that pre-taliban was only enforced in remote villages (not in the larger cities of Afghanistan). You ignore the criticism of the burqa in this larger context.

By repeatedly enforcing this understanding of the burqa as an entirely oppressive garment, western feminism is failing to move beyond this singular image of Islamic women. If you want to know more, read more regionalized texts…but please, i beg you, these tirades about “backwardness” and “oppression” are helping no one but yourselves…

]]> By: Shoes http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19568 Shoes Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:06:48 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19568 The burqa, the one that shows only the eyes, is not an Islamic symbol. It's also not a symbol of oppression and all of things in this article are either stereotypical or just plain opinion and ignornace. The burqa ia a symbol of choice and symbol of freedom and liberation. How many women get raped these days and why? The answer is because they appeal to men or oppressors in the manner of their body movements. With the burqa, no one will give you a second look, and that's a fact. Burqa for choice, not oppression. The burqa, the one that shows only the eyes, is not an Islamic symbol. It’s also not a symbol of oppression and all of things in this article are either stereotypical or just plain opinion and ignornace. The burqa ia a symbol of choice and symbol of freedom and liberation. How many women get raped these days and why? The answer is because they appeal to men or oppressors in the manner of their body movements. With the burqa, no one will give you a second look, and that’s a fact. Burqa for choice, not oppression.

]]> By: therealrtz http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19496 therealrtz Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:41:34 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19496 Quite the controversy we have here. Is Mattel creating a Burka Barbie? No, it is a piece (actually 3) that are part of a 500 piece exhibit in Florence Italy. How the other 497 dolls are attired? Well according to the promo: (translated from Italian at www.dettaglimodaitalia.com) "From 19 to November 22, 2009 Eliana Lorena, artist and designer, will exhibit at the Gallery "Il Seraglio" in Florence, the unique works.Five hundred Barbie, unique pieces, dressed according to the different types and cultures, women's dresses designed by the artist and facts ad hoc." it goes further to say: "Mattel Canada, a partner of the exhibition, on the same days celebrating fifty years of the most popular fashion doll from children with charity auction by Sotheby's for Save the Children to be held on the evening of Friday, November 20th in the Sala dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. " Albeit the translation is not perfect, we have no inkling that Mattel is planning a Burka Barbie. Someone stated that Mattel makes the Fulla Barbie, but this is incorrect. It is manufactured by a privately owned UAE company; NewBoy FZCO. She may look similar and come in similar packaging, but Barbie she is not. OPINION: So what do we have here? I see an obscure designer (to me, as I am not knowledgeable in design) who's previous works include (translated from Italian at www.navadesign.com): " the color design of lamp shade Costanzina (Luceplan, 1992), exchangeable in five different shades of colors. " I am sure she has done other work, but finding information on her was quite difficult. That was until now; she is becoming famous after dressing some Barbie dolls! We also have a quote from a company director stating: "Bring it on Burka Barbie, I think this is a great idea. I think this is really important for girls, wherever they are from they should have the opportunity to play with a Barbie that they feel represents them." This person is either a fool or just trying to be controversial. Barbie was banned in Saudi Arabia, they are trying to ban her in Iran, probably in all of the middle east. So no... they will not be playing with the fictional Burka Barbie. I, in no way, support , believe in, or condone a backwards society that treats their females as property. The atrocities committed on these women and girls are truly deplorable. It is one of the unfortunate facts of life that such cultures exist and thrive. That being said, I do feel that all of this uproar to a news story about a designer dressing a Barbie in a burka is a bit overreacting. Boycott Mattel?? Sure, but I'd wait until they actually announce that they will be making this nonexistent toy. To do otherwise is just plain irresponsible behavior, based on fiction instead of fact. Quite the controversy we have here. Is Mattel creating a Burka Barbie? No, it is a piece (actually 3) that are part of a 500 piece exhibit in Florence Italy. How the other 497 dolls are attired? Well according to the promo:
(translated from Italian at http://www.dettaglimodaitalia.com)

“From 19 to November 22, 2009 Eliana Lorena, artist and designer, will exhibit at the Gallery “Il Seraglio” in Florence, the unique works.Five hundred Barbie, unique pieces, dressed according to the different types and cultures, women’s dresses designed by the artist and facts ad hoc.”

it goes further to say:

“Mattel Canada, a partner of the exhibition, on the same days celebrating fifty years of the most popular fashion doll from children with charity auction by Sotheby’s for Save the Children to be held on the evening of Friday, November 20th in the Sala dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. ”

Albeit the translation is not perfect, we have no inkling that Mattel is planning a Burka Barbie.
Someone stated that Mattel makes the Fulla Barbie, but this is incorrect. It is manufactured by a privately owned UAE company; NewBoy FZCO. She may look similar and come in similar packaging, but Barbie she is not.

OPINION:

So what do we have here? I see an obscure designer (to me, as I am not knowledgeable in design) who’s previous works include
(translated from Italian at http://www.navadesign.com):
” the color design of lamp shade Costanzina (Luceplan, 1992), exchangeable in five different shades of colors. ” I am sure she has done other work, but finding information on her was quite difficult. That was until now; she is becoming famous after dressing some Barbie dolls!
We also have a quote from a company director stating: “Bring it on Burka Barbie, I think this is a great idea. I think this is really important for girls, wherever they are from they should have the opportunity to play with a Barbie that they feel represents them.” This person is either a fool or just trying to be controversial. Barbie was banned in Saudi Arabia, they are trying to ban her in Iran, probably in all of the middle east. So no… they will not be playing with the fictional Burka Barbie.

I, in no way, support , believe in, or condone a backwards society that treats their females as property. The atrocities committed on these women and girls are truly deplorable. It is one of the unfortunate facts of life that such cultures exist and thrive. That being said, I do feel that all of this uproar to a news story about a designer dressing a Barbie in a burka is a bit overreacting. Boycott Mattel?? Sure, but I’d wait until they actually announce that they will be making this nonexistent toy. To do otherwise is just plain irresponsible behavior, based on fiction instead of fact.

]]> By: HellenoChristian http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19490 HellenoChristian Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:05:34 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19490 88. Eric: who said that Barbie itself is a great example for girls? But when it comes to Islam it is a political Ideology. It is a matter of Legal system, which means, that a woman legally worths a half of a man, that she legally has to obey her man, that she legally has to ... has not to .... The other examples you gave about other Barbie's models, aren't related to a political/legal Ideology/System. MIGHT YOU REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SITUATIONS/CONDITIONS? And: in the West you have Feminist Movements which try and educate people about the trick of objectivizing the Being. You haven't them in Islamic world, where everything "has been written and it is unmodifiable" (it isn't even possibile to check directly by the "creator" if it said that or not. Muhammad and his Allah have been buried in the Arabic Desert some 14 centuries ago. Sorry ...). You also touched (unwillingly I guess) the psychological matter about girls, which has to do with their self-esteem, which indirectly has to do with the importance and the role that Society (men/males) gives to them. While here (Non-islamic societies) it is possible to address the problem(s), in Islamic societies isn't even possible: (female) Slavery is institutionalized, and unmodifiable; while here, well, we just need some engagement (and intelligence) and things can be modified, things can evolve for better. DO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE between Islamic objectivation of the female (unmodifiable, unevolvable) and Western objectivation of her (modifiable - and already modified; still have to be modified, still can/have to evolve -)? 88. Eric: who said that Barbie itself is a great example for girls? But when it comes to Islam it is a political Ideology. It is a matter of Legal system, which means, that a woman legally worths a half of a man, that she legally has to obey her man, that she legally has to … has not to …. The other examples you gave about other Barbie’s models, aren’t related to a political/legal Ideology/System. MIGHT YOU REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SITUATIONS/CONDITIONS?

And: in the West you have Feminist Movements which try and educate people about the trick of objectivizing the Being. You haven’t them in Islamic world, where everything “has been written and it is unmodifiable” (it isn’t even possibile to check directly by the “creator” if it said that or not. Muhammad and his Allah have been buried in the Arabic Desert some 14 centuries ago. Sorry …).

You also touched (unwillingly I guess) the psychological matter about girls, which has to do with their self-esteem, which indirectly has to do with the importance and the role that Society (men/males) gives to them. While here (Non-islamic societies) it is possible to address the problem(s), in Islamic societies isn’t even possible: (female) Slavery is institutionalized, and unmodifiable; while here, well, we just need some engagement (and intelligence) and things can be modified, things can evolve for better. DO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE between Islamic objectivation of the female (unmodifiable, unevolvable) and Western objectivation of her (modifiable – and already modified; still have to be modified, still can/have to evolve -)?

]]> By: Eric http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19480 Eric Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:24:01 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19480 now i've seen everything. Mattel seems to be attempting to convince American girls that being a "Burqa Barbie" is both glamorous and fun. something tells me they forgot to ask Burqa cad women what they thought. what's next? the “Jihadist Ken” doll? -chirs Boycott Burqa Barbie Chirs Wrote the above to me. The following was my response. Actually I'm all for this. Here is why. Mattel has now opened the door to a whole world of relistic Barbies. If they whish to Make the Burqa Barbie , The most oppressive and enslaved symbol of oppressed women's rights on the planet then they must be fair and offer other realistic Barbies. Here are a few to start with: How about Crack Wh*** Barbie with pock mark face and needle tracks. And Pimp Ken. How about Silicon Barbie with Inflatable breasts. How about Plastic Surgery Barbie that is different every time you pick her up,and you need to keep buying updates or the face slides off. How about a Opra Barbie , comes with a crown that no one know why she has but all bow down to her anyway. Everything she touches turns to gold. Is able to hipmatizes millions of women into shopping. How about Pot Smoking Barbie that quits college and lives in basement of Ken's parents house while Ken works a McDonalds. How about Abortion Barbie , every once in awhile you have to bring her to the next state for a operation in the middle of the night. Comes with optional coat hanger. Stripper Barbie with realistic plastic body************ How about Dominatrix Barbie with leather whip and bright red boots. And Slave Ken doll. (this one I'd buy) How about Butch Barbie With short with hair and over sized man's Blue jeans. Kenny Cross dresser to go with. How about Lizbo Barbie with strap on ***and accessories. Ken just gets to watch. How about Redneck No Job On welfare Barbie. With three kids and a no Ken doll and a trailer with big screen cable Tv. How about Octomom Barbie with 14 kids! 132 dirty diapers piled up daily! No job just a big hand out reaching? How about Big Bouty Barbie with extra wide ass. Accessories include a box of Krispy Kream doghnuts and a big gulp. How about a Kate and John Barbie with real tv cameras and Kids crying for attention while mom and dad fight over interviews. How about Fat Biggest looser Barbie With loads of cheese burgers and self pitty. How about Porn star Barbie Anatomically correct with Two holes in the *******. How about Anorexia Barbie Molded with clear plastic so you can see her malnourished bones. How about Senator Clinton Barbie that runs around the world threaten small countries with no help. How about a Conda Leazza Rice Barbie That just Scares Everybody. How about a Nancy Palosie Barbie Speaker of the house that thinks she is a Kenedy! How about the really expensive Anna Nacoal Smith Barbie that cost millions but dosnt live long enough to be worth anything. If you think these are wrong then remember . We Idolize these women and so we created them first. Any to add to this let me know! Eric now i’ve seen everything. Mattel seems to be attempting to convince American girls that being a “Burqa Barbie” is both glamorous and fun. something tells me they forgot to ask Burqa cad women what they thought. what’s next? the “Jihadist Ken” doll?

-chirs

Boycott Burqa Barbie

Chirs Wrote the above to me.
The following was my response.

Actually I’m all for this. Here is why. Mattel has now opened the door to a whole world of relistic Barbies. If they whish to Make the Burqa Barbie , The most oppressive and enslaved symbol of oppressed women’s rights on the planet then they must be fair and offer other realistic Barbies. Here are a few to start with:

How about Crack Wh*** Barbie with pock mark face and needle tracks. And Pimp Ken.
How about Silicon Barbie with Inflatable breasts.
How about Plastic Surgery Barbie that is different every time you pick her up,and you need to keep buying updates or the face slides off.
How about a Opra Barbie , comes with a crown that no one know why she has but all bow down to her anyway. Everything she touches turns to gold. Is able to hipmatizes millions of women into shopping.
How about Pot Smoking Barbie that quits college and lives in basement of Ken’s parents house while Ken works a McDonalds.
How about Abortion Barbie , every once in awhile you have to bring her to the next state for a operation in the middle of the night. Comes with optional coat hanger.
Stripper Barbie with realistic plastic body************

How about Dominatrix Barbie with leather whip and bright red boots. And Slave Ken doll. (this one I’d buy)
How about Butch Barbie With short with hair and over sized man’s Blue jeans. Kenny Cross dresser to go with.
How about Lizbo Barbie with strap on ***and accessories. Ken just gets to watch.
How about Redneck No Job On welfare Barbie. With three kids and a no Ken doll and a trailer with big screen cable Tv.
How about Octomom Barbie with 14 kids! 132 dirty diapers piled up daily! No job just a big hand out reaching?
How about Big Bouty Barbie with extra wide ass. Accessories include a box of Krispy Kream doghnuts and a big gulp.

How about a Kate and John Barbie with real tv cameras and Kids crying for attention while mom and dad fight over interviews.
How about Fat Biggest looser Barbie With loads of cheese burgers and self pitty.
How about Porn star Barbie Anatomically correct with Two holes in the *******.
How about Anorexia Barbie Molded with clear plastic so you can see her malnourished bones.
How about Senator Clinton Barbie that runs around the world threaten small countries with no help.
How about a Conda Leazza Rice Barbie That just Scares Everybody.
How about a Nancy Palosie Barbie Speaker of the house that thinks she is a Kenedy!
How about the really expensive Anna Nacoal Smith Barbie that cost millions but dosnt live long enough to be worth anything.

If you think these are wrong then remember . We Idolize these women and so we created them first.

Any to add to this let me know!

Eric

]]> By: Marie Claude http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19443 Marie Claude Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:14:36 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19443 the "Barbie" isn't a toy that helps to develop imagination, but instead of, it drives the little girls mind into a consumerism dream (humm, the american dream defined by capitalism ?) Girls wants to have more clothes, more accessories... more barbies... to get an eratz life that they envy, but not something that would help them to imagine stories, or a "response" in order to compensate their bad or good relations with their parents, or others And, of course the Burka Barbie is the completion ! the logic following of the consumerism education the “Barbie” isn’t a toy that helps to develop imagination, but instead of, it drives the little girls mind into a consumerism dream (humm, the american dream defined by capitalism ?) Girls wants to have more clothes, more accessories… more barbies… to get an eratz life that they envy, but not something that would help them to imagine stories, or a “response” in order to compensate their bad or good relations with their parents, or others

And, of course the Burka Barbie is the completion ! the logic following of the consumerism education

]]> By: Pissed Off Joe http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19440 Pissed Off Joe Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:24:08 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19440 I smell Mattel stock around the country being burned by the bushel. Does the Burka Barbie come with commando action suicide belt? Will there be an "Israeli Barbie Dream Cafe" and School Bus for BB to destroy in the name of ORTHODOX Islam or will she just blow up other muslims? ooo OOO OOOOOOO will there be Burka Barbie 747 and "sold separately" Twin Towers? I smell Mattel stock around the country being burned by the bushel.

Does the Burka Barbie come with commando action suicide belt? Will there be an “Israeli Barbie Dream Cafe” and School Bus for BB to destroy in the name of ORTHODOX Islam or will she just blow up other muslims?

ooo OOO OOOOOOO

will there be Burka Barbie 747 and “sold separately” Twin Towers?

]]> By: k http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19393 k Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:18:47 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19393 Burka Barbie??? Are you kidding me? Wake up America. I will not purchase one single Mattel product until that ridiculous doll is removed from the shelves! Burka Barbie??? Are you kidding me? Wake up America. I will not purchase one single Mattel product until that ridiculous doll is removed from the shelves!

]]> By: k http://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/11/21/boycott-burqa-barbie/#comment-19392 k Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:16:41 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/?p=2137#comment-19392 no way, no how, no american sales of burka barbie. How un-american can you get?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? no way, no how, no american sales of burka barbie. How un-american can you get??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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