A Netflix Documentary on the intersectional feminist history of #BlackLivesMatter
Released on June 19, 2024, “Black Barbie” is a new Netflix documentary produced by the legendary Shondaland, the powerhouse behind “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bridgerton.” As we’ve come to expect from their previous work dismantling white supremacy and patriarchy, the documentary doesn’t present a nostalgic trip down the toy aisle but a deep dive into the intersectional feminist history of #BlackLivesMatter. Inspired by a conversation between two Black American women from different generations, the story of the creation of the first #BlackBarbie presents broader cultural implications related to gender identities.
After the recent wave of feminist themes in the “Barbie” movie, it’s about time we give this topic the attention it deserves, and here’s why you shouldn’t take #BlackBarbie for granted.
The film provides first-person looks and insider stories from the perspectives of three Black women who worked at Mattel in 1980. Through their testimonials as well as informative scholars speaking to academic studies on self-image, the documentary examines the importance of representation and…
