Student Taylor Freeman from Clemson College offered feedback on the recently released first Black Barbie with Down syndrome, which is part of Mattel’s Fashionistas Collection seeking to promote diversity and inclusion in the toy industry.
21-year-old Taylor, an important player in the toy’s design, loves football and is in a sorority. Even though she was born with Down syndrome, her mother Ayoca Freeman always made her believe that everything was possible.
Ayoca told Fox5, “She has done whatever she wants to do. She’s in a marching band, she’s been prom queen, she has a learning permit, she has a car and she can drive. We have not put any roadblocks or anything there because of her diagnosis because that’s only a part of who she is, is not who she is.”
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For almost a year, the mother and daughter duo and other Black families with ties to the Down syndrome community were part of a focus group that helped to create the doll.
“Taylor, as a little girl, played with Barbies. And I would’ve never dreamed in a million years that we would have a Barbie that has Down syndrome in our home,” Ayoca said. “I would’ve never, never ever imagined this. It’s an honor to be part of something so special, and it’s a blessing to have a doll that looks like my daughter, who does have a disability.”
The Doll’s face is oval, her eyes are slanted, her nose is flat, and her torso is lengthy. “When you have this syndrome, you have a little less muscle tone, so this doll shows some of those characteristics,” Ayoca clarified.
In addition to the spectacles, which are symbolic of “individuals with Down syndrome who often experience difficulties with their vision,” the focus group also requested braids as a crucial component.
“Her braids look like me, her glasses are like me,” exclaimed an ecstatic Taylor.
The senior vice president of Barbie, Krista Berger, stated, “We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging.”
Kandi Pickard, the president and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) which also helped create the doll, said in a statement, “NDSS is thrilled to introduce a second Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Having this doll launched alongside the new Barbie doll with Blindness marks another important step in expanding representation for the disability community. We are proud to partner with Barbie as they grow to reflect our diverse and beautiful world.”
The Toy Association presented Mattel with the Corporate Social Responsibility Imitative of the Year award last year when it unveiled the first Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
