Product of the Day: Nabisco Barbies
So I recently learned that back in 1997, Mattel and Nabisco collaborated to create a product called Oreo Fun Barbie. And in the spirit of equality, of course they made this doll in both black and white versions, not realizing until later – and after much public scrutiny – that they had inadvertently evoked something so racially charged.
Well now, in honor of such a landmark blunder, I’d like to revisit Oreo Fun Barbie, and also introduce her contemporary cousin, Ritz Cracker Barbie.
Disclaimer: Ritz Cracker Barbie is not an actual product of Mattel or Nabisco, but rather a mock-up created by me using Adobe Photoshop.
I will be linking this post on my blog.
Nope. No social racism in society these days. Us minorities should just “get over it” and “work harder”. Racism is only found in “extreme nutjobs” and “KKK members”. White people are well to do and don’t perpetuate racism (especially when they never bring it up).
Let’s call Blacks ‘oreos’ and Whites ‘crackers’ and say we don’t live in a racialized society.
Good idea posting this. I’m thinking of emailing this to many as well.
The only thing I find offensive is the fact that toys are now being advertised side by side with junk food. Well, not that that’s a new marketing gimic, but girls love barbies, and let’s face it, they love cookies. What better way for them to get hooked on the damn things.
I’m not sure how the black Barbie with the Oreos is racist, but I do get the Ritz crackers one. Yeah, White people are as white as crackers. I really don’t care, I think it’s funny because it’s such a far stretch to be racist. It’s silly to compare a race to a food.
That is some damn good ’shoop, my man. If you haven’t have said anything I would’ve sworn it was real.
Kyrie, the term “OREO” is one used to describe an African-American perceived as “acting white”, something which is loaded with racist meaning. It’s deeper than I can explain here, but the gyst is not only is it “wrong” to “act white”, but it also suggests that those qualities regarded as “white” – usually speaking standard American English and having broader interests – are reserved only for white people.
you are aware that oreo barbie also came in "white" and ritz cracker barbie also came in "black" right?? they didn't make JUST black oreo barbie and JUST white ritz cracker barbie. you need to look at the whole picture and not twist things to look the way you want them to…
Oreo cookie Barbie coming in “white” doesn’t mean a thing, and doesn’t change the oversight. Had it ONLY been in white, then it would’ve been fine.
And um…clearly you don’t know what you’re talking about, because Ritz Cracker Barbie is something that I invented. I took Oreo Barbie and some Ritz pictures from the internet and made it in Photoshop. Read the disclaimer. Heh.
Just because they "evened it out" by making a version for both races does not make this okay. The black "Oreo" Barbie is so controversial because of the already-existing racial slur. Although they likely did not INTEND to offend any particular race, Mattel should have taken the offensive term into consideration before they chose to represent their partnership with Nabisco with an "Oreo" Barbie. It was careless and inconsiderate on Mattel's part. This Barbie never should have made it past the ideas room. Also, the Ritz "Cracker" Barbie never actually existed, so no, absolutely none of this is justifiable.
If they JUST made a white Oreo barbie, blacks would be bitching that it didn't come in other colors of ethnicity. And how is it even an insult that there's a black Oreo barbie?