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Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important

Did you know that Barbie has a vlog? Yes, the most famous doll already has over 9.7 million subscribers on YouTube, and it's a hit on all social media, as well.

Barbie talks about some important as well as trending issues, so it was time to tackle one burning topic: white privilege.

And to help her, her friend Nikki, an African American Barbie, did her best to explain Black Lives Matter as well as racism in modern society.

Barbie and Nikki discuss racism

Before we get into what went on in the viral video, the officials who are behind the account made a statement.

Lisa McKnight, the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls at Mattel, Inc., said:

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important
barbie addressed white privilege on her youtube channel, and it's so important

We made a commitment to the Black Community to leverage our global platform, including Barbie herself as a YouTube Vlogger, to tackle important topics such as racism.

The video starts with Barbie introducing the topic: racism. She says:

Millions of people are standing up across the world to fight against racism, and they're doing this because for too often and for such a long time, people have been treated unfairly, and in some cases, even hurt by others because of the color of their skin.

Nikki then starts talking about her experiences, which reflect some of the everyday events in a black person's life. Of course, Nikki, being a doll, gives an example close to their younger audience.

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important
barbie addressed white privilege on her youtube channel, and it's so important

She says:

Barbie and I had a sticker-selling contest on the beach last month.

We split up and went our separate directions to see who could sell the most. While I was on the boardwalk, beach security stopped me three times. The security officer thought I was doing something bad, even though I was doing exactly the same thing that you were doing.

Nikki's perfect example of racism

Then Nikki talks about school. She was a French club member until a teacher told her that she was only there because she "got lucky" on an entrance exam.

Barbie aks:

Why didn't you just stay in the club and prove him wrong?

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important
barbie addressed white privilege on her youtube channel, and it's so important

And Nikki's response will resonate with every person who was ever mistreated.

I don't want to constantly prove and reprove myself. Usually, when I talk about these things, people make excuses. They say things, like, 'Well, maybe you should have had a permit for selling on the beach.' But those are just excuses. People did these things because I was Black, and they made the wrong assumptions about me.

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important
barbie addressed white privilege on her youtube channel, and it's so important

Barbie adds:

And they don't make those assumptions about white people, like me. That's not fair, because that means that white people get an advantage that they didn't earn, and Black people get a disadvantage that they don't deserve.

Barbie's listening, and Nikki's grateful

While the short clip will not solve much, it has a valuable point for every white person.

Nikki says to Barbie:

You listening and being supportive? That's helpful.

Barbie Addressed White Privilege On Her YouTube Channel, And It's So Important
barbie addressed white privilege on her youtube channel, and it's so important

And that's all there is. We cannot change the past, but we can be present. Listening, empathizing, and supporting your non-white friends is the only thing you can and should do.

Educating kids on such important matters is vital because we all deserve a fair start. White privilege is an issue when you don't accept it exists. Or when you abuse it, which is really a whole different arrogance level, if not worse.

Check out the video and see it for yourself how Barbie's already a better human than most of us: