An eww moment, from an unexpected source

I thought long and hard about posting this.

I am a big believer in supporting other organizations and their missions, especially women's empowerment organizations, and I don't like to badmouth efforts and approaches. There have certainly been times when I've disagreed with methods and sometimes even the outcomes. And I'm sure there are people who've disagreed with the Red Tent's.

(I know this because we've gotten emails. For which I'm grateful...after a few minutes to process. :) )

I don't know why this one was the straw that broke the camel's back for me, but it did. Maybe because I put this org up on a pedestal and had certain expectations. I don't know.

The organization in question is the White House Project, a (usually) fantastic organization whose mission is to get a woman into the White House. To do this, they hold trainings across the country that help women get elected to public office. The trainings are great. I've done one.

The crux of the matter is that the White House Project has partnered with Barbie (BARBIE!!!). Apparently, after years, decades, of destroying girls' self-esteem, Barbie has found its social conscience and is looking for girls to spend a day (yes, that's ONE DAY) being mentored by noteworthy women leaders and report back on this awesome experience to inspire other girls. And the White House Project just sent out a blast to its members to help them do that.

First of all, mentoring doesn't happen in a day. But that's for another blog.

Secondly, eww. Barbie grosses me out and always has. Blond, white, anatomically incorrect and improbable...I don't care how many Barbies-of-color they make, whether their hair is short or long, or whatever. Mattel makes these idealized forms of women and girls glom onto them, which has long-term implications for self-esteem, body image, girls' roles in the world, etc.

So I'm pretty shocked that the White House Project would team up with Barbie to do this. It's a tough time for nonprofits. They're closing right and left. So are they chasing funding? Do they honestly think this is a good partnership? I have no idea. Which is why I sent them this email:

Barbie?
Seriously?
Look, I know in this day and age nonprofits need to think outside of the box regarding funding and resources, but...Barbie? The insidious self-esteem-destroyer of girls the world over?

I have deep admiration for the White House Project. I benefited greatly from the training I attended last year, and I admire (while being unable to emulate) your commitment to being nonpartisan. And as a nonprofit director who has had her own share of challenges with funding, I struggled with sending this email and appearing (let alone being) unsupportive of another organization dedicated to empowering women.

But I can’t help it. Running for office takes healthy self-esteem and gumption. Barbie teaches girls that if they’re not blond, white, or anatomically incorrect, then they’re not good enough. Please tell me, how does partnering with Barbie further your aims?

I look forward to opening this dialog with you.

Best,
Eryka

Eryka Peskin
Director
Red Tent Women's Project
www.redtentwomensproject.org
The Red Tent Women's Project is a diverse and dynamic community of women who are catalysts for social change. By creating safe and empowered spaces we facilitate community building, information and resource exchange, and personal growth for women and girls.


I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Let the Barbie dialog begin!