Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mattel Has a New Cherokee Barbie. Not Everyone Is Happy About It
NYT via Yahoo ^ | 12/06/2023 | Sopan Deb

Posted on 12/06/2023 3:46:26 PM PST by DFG

A Barbie doll in the likeness of Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to be elected chief of the Cherokee Nation, has been hailed by tribal citizens. It’s also been lamented for its inaccuracies.

An event held Tuesday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, marked the anniversary of Mankiller becoming chief in 1985 and celebrated her Barbie doll. Mattel, the company that produces Barbie dolls, announced the new toy last month as part of the “Inspiring Women” series that includes conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, journalist Ida B. Wells and writer Maya Angelou.

The doll’s release has been met with some criticism. The doll itself portrays Mankiller, who died in 2010, with dark hair, wearing a turquoise dress and carrying a basket, a depiction that Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, said was “thoughtful” and “well done.” However, he noted that some in the community said the doll’s basket wasn’t authentically Cherokee.

Another issue was with the doll’s packaging, which used the wrong syllabary, or set of symbols used for the Cherokee language, for the nation’s seal, Hoskin said. As a result, the package syllabary read “Chicken Nation” instead of “Cherokee Nation.”

“To someone who doesn’t read Cherokee syllabary, they’re not going to notice it,” Hoskin said. “To the Cherokee people for whom Wilma is of such enduring significance and we have such enduring love for her, to see our seal incorrect, it’s very disappointing because it would not have taken much effort or thought to avoid that.”

The packaging also identified the tribe as “Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma,” instead of the tribe’s official name, Cherokee Nation, which is used in all of the tribe’s treaties with the federal government.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: barbie; cherokee; cherokeenation; chickennation; mankiller; mattel; oklahoma; wilmamankiller
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last
To: DFG

From Talking Barbie: “Math class is hard! Let’s go shopping!”

(That particular model was pulled from the shelves real fast!)


21 posted on 12/06/2023 4:44:46 PM PST by 17th Miss Regt ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

“As a result, the package syllabary read “Chicken Nation” instead of ‘Cherokee Nation.’”

Someone in Marketing has a great sense of humor...and is probably jobless as of today, LOL!


22 posted on 12/06/2023 4:46:23 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Worldtraveler once upon a time
How about body positivity Barbie?


23 posted on 12/06/2023 4:47:01 PM PST by silverleaf (“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out” —David Horowitz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: DFG

I had the privilege of meeting W. Mankiller many years ago. She was a very kind and capable woman. She truly worked to help the poor. Both Cherokee and White. The Nation had a good Chief in that woman.


24 posted on 12/06/2023 4:48:13 PM PST by Iceclimber58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

looks like a White girl wi a tan...


25 posted on 12/06/2023 4:51:16 PM PST by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: silverleaf

That looks like an Anna Nicole Smith doll.


26 posted on 12/06/2023 4:53:20 PM PST by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: M Kehoe
Is Cher a Native American?

In the 1970s I believe she claimed it, or at least didn't deny it. She had a popular song called "Half Breed" and often dressed in an exaggerated, stylized Cherokee or "Native American" outfit

In recent years, she claimed it was all a ruse, concocted by her publicist and record company which she got caught-up in.

27 posted on 12/06/2023 5:00:11 PM PST by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Comes with a blanket and a bottle of whiskey...../sarcasm.


28 posted on 12/06/2023 5:01:42 PM PST by scott says (Servant of the Living God--YHVH)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Worldtraveler once upon a time

If trans Barbie gets one, Ken’s gonna be awfully jealous.


29 posted on 12/06/2023 5:04:36 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Tijeras_Slim

Indeed.


30 posted on 12/06/2023 5:10:58 PM PST by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: No name given

“You wagon burning son of a bitch”


31 posted on 12/06/2023 5:40:42 PM PST by KC_Conspirator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: silverleaf

Looks like Trailer Trash Barbie.


32 posted on 12/06/2023 5:42:04 PM PST by MachIV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: jjotto
Cher Sarkisian is Armenian. From southern California.

Any relation to Steve Sarkisian, the University of Texas head coach?

33 posted on 12/06/2023 5:50:39 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Is that the eastern Cherokees or the western Cherokees?


34 posted on 12/06/2023 9:32:16 PM PST by Paal Gulli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MachIV
Did you say Trailer Trash Barbie?


35 posted on 12/07/2023 3:53:05 AM PST by silverleaf (“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out” —David Horowitz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: silverleaf

Trailer trash barbie is making future soldiers for globalist barbie, who has a high paying government job, and no kids.


36 posted on 12/07/2023 3:59:24 AM PST by BRL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson