beauty is only skin
September 28, 2017 10:23 PM Subscribe
Dolls can play a big part in the self esteem of young children. If they see a toy that looks like them, it can make them feel more accepting of who they are. For kids (and even adults) that have vitiligo [NSFW], this is a challenge....While not life threatening, it can affect a person’s confidence, and they might be subjected to taunts or bullying. Kay Black, aka Kay Customz, is an artist encouraging those with vitiligo to be proud of who they are; she’s doing so through inclusive custom dolls that have the same condition.
I love the creation of those dolls, and I love the positive representation on Instragram. These women are great.
posted by Songdog at 4:22 AM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Songdog at 4:22 AM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
I refer you to this comment I made awhile back about my sister when we were at a Toys R Us.
Her asking why there weren't any Indian dolls on the shelf was upsetting to her.
It's not the same as her having Vitiligo. But that desire for representation and choice matters. I really like this. Great share.
posted by Fizz at 4:53 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
Her asking why there weren't any Indian dolls on the shelf was upsetting to her.
It's not the same as her having Vitiligo. But that desire for representation and choice matters. I really like this. Great share.
posted by Fizz at 4:53 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have a similar story to Fizz's.
What's the point of the curvy barbie?
A friend of mine (who is black) was commenting the other day that for a bright shining moment in time there were kids out there who knew no reality other than a black president. For these kids it would seem obvious one could grow up to be president while being black, while he grew up firmly believing it would never be possible.
I'm in favor of representation of as many different aspects of humanity as possible. I think it makes us better and more empathic human beings to realize our existence isn't the default one.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2017 [3 favorites]
What's the point of the curvy barbie?
A friend of mine (who is black) was commenting the other day that for a bright shining moment in time there were kids out there who knew no reality other than a black president. For these kids it would seem obvious one could grow up to be president while being black, while he grew up firmly believing it would never be possible.
I'm in favor of representation of as many different aspects of humanity as possible. I think it makes us better and more empathic human beings to realize our existence isn't the default one.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was pretty chuffed when I first saw the insulin pump for 18" dolls.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:32 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:32 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
Artist Kay Black creates custom made dolls that have vitiligo, a common skin disease that causes blotchy discoloration.
Why not say it causes "blotchy coloration"? No need for the "dis".
posted by amtho at 6:45 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
Why not say it causes "blotchy coloration"? No need for the "dis".
posted by amtho at 6:45 AM on September 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
Why not say it causes "blotchy coloration"? No need for the "dis".
Because it isn't adding color in blotches, it's taking it away.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:36 AM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
Because it isn't adding color in blotches, it's taking it away.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:36 AM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
I love these dolls! The beauty all types of human variation should be celebrated. Everyone should be able to see themselves represented in toys, media, politics, etc. I hope these dolls help young people with vitiligo and albanism feel more confident in and accepting of themselves.
Also, the clothing is amazing too--so bright and colorful.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:18 AM on September 29, 2017
Also, the clothing is amazing too--so bright and colorful.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:18 AM on September 29, 2017
As someone whose family member has vitiligo, this is really good to see.
posted by Ziggy500 at 8:32 AM on September 29, 2017
posted by Ziggy500 at 8:32 AM on September 29, 2017
Pater - wouldn't that be "blotchy decolorization"? We use "discolored" for things turning brown or staining.
posted by amtho at 10:27 AM on September 29, 2017
posted by amtho at 10:27 AM on September 29, 2017
The very positive and inclusive cover photo for Lil Yachty's album Teenage Emotions also includes a woman with vitiligo.
posted by Umami Dearest at 4:38 AM on September 30, 2017
posted by Umami Dearest at 4:38 AM on September 30, 2017
See also Winnie Harlow, who I always thought was a perfect pick to model for Desigual.
As the onetime lover of someone with vitiligo myself, I became convinced that this poem was written because Hopkins also loved someone with vitiligo:
Pied Beauty
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
Glory be to God for dappled things –
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
posted by gusandrews at 8:44 AM on September 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
As the onetime lover of someone with vitiligo myself, I became convinced that this poem was written because Hopkins also loved someone with vitiligo:
Pied Beauty
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
Glory be to God for dappled things –
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
posted by gusandrews at 8:44 AM on September 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
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