Barbie's descendants

With reference to June Jordan’s article, “Report from the Bahamas,” we see a descriptive model of race, class and gender identity.  She explained numerous components of different ethnic values and perspectives including spirituality, harmony and balance.  She used crude language to express how dissatisfied she was with the great void that existed between herself and everyone she had mentioned in her article but only coming to the realization that she can connect everyone as well as herself.  Take for example “Olive”, the room service attendant, Jordan believes that there is conflict between their common identity vs. individual identity.  In the end she realizes that she does have a connection with everyone around her. 

However, the biggest highlighting point was mentioned when she was executing a meeting with one of her white middle class student.  Jordan explained that both of them shared same gender but surprisingly the student believed that Jordan was lucky because she had a purpose to her life.  Jordan appeared to be on the defensive when she explained that if she “abandons me to ‘my’ problems of race, then why should I support her in ‘her’ problems…?”  As a result one can say that concepts of connection can serve as indicators of conflict.  Partnership in misery doesn’t result in partnership for change because both parties can become enemies.

“In the Rise and Fall of the Ultimate Negro Doll” by Sabrina Lynette Thomas, we see quite the contrary.  Thomas focused on power of symbolic discourse, social and racial significance.  She articulated her arguments to incorporate the lives of three popular dolls that were manufactured to define moral values that shaped the American culture.  However, these figures depicted the symptoms of racial inequality that have contaminated the social and economic relations.  Furthermore, Sara Lee, Patti-Jo and Amosandra have gained immense popularity inspite of their Negro identities.

Sara Lee symbolizes “black pride” in that her image was intended to construct a positive identity of all Negro Americans.  She was also intended to agitate the racial status quo and affect the social and mental transformation around racial relations.  Thanks to her she also challenged the issue of desegregation.

On the other hand, Patti-Jo portrayed equality despite racial transgressions.  She was described as an illusion to the Black race. Due to the false notion of the Negro advancement and race relations that was perceived globally, there was mass production of dolls that serves as souvenirs for tourists.

Amosandra depicts a stereotypical concept of Negro identity and racist norms.  She embraced her destiny and place in society conforming to the Anglo-Saxon’s way of life.  Despite the racial pride and economic potential of the manufacturing of these dolls, we can still identify the resistance to change for racial progress.