Mexico Barbie’s Bad Rap

By Esther Cepeda, Washington Post

CHICAGO — I love Mexico Barbie’s Chihuahua.

There, I’ve said it. Let the Latino community slam me for lacking cultural sensitivity if it will, but I’m sticking to my pistolas on this one.

The furor over Mexico Barbie came to a head last week when a $30 doll that had been released in June 2012 became the subject of news stories and chatter on social media networks for perpetuating offensive stereotypes.

Accusations of cultural insensitivity included outrage because Mexico Barbie comes with a passport and therefore implies that the inanimate piece of plastic is not living in the United States illegally. Journalist Laura Martinez was widely quoted: “Play with your Barbie Mexicana and don’t even think of calling her indocumentada.”

Chuckle-worthy, yes, but there are two significant issues at play here:

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