A few weeks ago, Mattel unveiled its first Down syndrome Barbie doll. This is a cause for celebration. With the May 2 anniversary of the leak of the Dobbs draft decision that caused chaos and fomenting among abortion rights advocates, and the committed overthrow of Roe v. Wade once the Supreme Court rendered the final decision in June 2022, this is a clear reflection that life is winning.
Barbie doll with Down syndrome launched by Mattel: "This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation." pic.twitter.com/XPmbxA4qlk
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) April 27, 2023
The first Barbie doll with Down syndrome has been unveiled.
The release of the new design "continues to expand on inclusion in doll play," says Lisa McKnight, the global head of Barbie and Dolls for toy maker Mattel. pic.twitter.com/9KsNXlBfmD
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 25, 2023
CNN:
Mattel on Tuesday announced the debut of its first-ever Barbie with Down syndrome.
The doll was “created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie, as well as have Barbie reflect the world around them,” the popular toy manufacturer said in a press release. “The Barbie doll with Down syndrome is meant to inspire all children to tell more stories through play.”
According to Mattel, the toy — part of the 2023 Fashionistas line, which champions diversity — is available for purchase from major retailers for $10.99.
I can attest to the importance of this, as my storytelling started with my Barbie dolls. I would even do haircuts and other design changes on my Barbies—I wish someone would have told me to preserve them as is, because they would be worth money someday. Nevertheless, the dolls served their purpose of sparking imagination, helped me to build and navigate my own world, and create new ones.
I believe this Down syndrome Barbie will do the same for all young girls, not just those with Down Syndrome.
Barbie releasing their first Down Syndrome Barbie should be an action that we all celebrate.
People with Down Syndrome are some of the best souls on the planet. They deserve to feel included.
— Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) April 27, 2023
Barbie collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to “ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome,” per the release.
“NDSS empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing resources, driving policy change [and] engaging with local communities,” Mattel added. “NDSS’s guidance and real-world experiences informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging. The close partnership ensured the Barbie team celebrated individuals with Down syndrome through a doll that would immediately connect with the community.”
According to NDSS, there is one in every 772 babies in the U.S. born with Down syndrome. This number has been significantly reduced over the decades because of abortion. How many of those 63 million aborted babies since Roe was instituted in 1973 were Down syndrome babies? Sadly, according to Human Life International, there are some countries who have eliminated Down syndrome birth rates in their country entirely:
A study of abortions in the United States from 1995-2011 found that 67% of women who were told their baby would have Down syndrome decided to abort. This number is much higher in other countries. BBC reports that 90% of women in England whose babies are diagnosed with Down syndrome choose to abort.
According to The Atlantic:
In 2004, Denmark became one of the first countries in the world to offer prenatal Down syndrome screening to every pregnant woman, regardless of age or other risk factors. Nearly all expecting mothers choose to take the test; of those who get a Down syndrome diagnosis, more than 95 percent choose to abort.
The article then goes on to say that, in 2019, only 18 babies with Down syndrome were born in the entire country.
We see that trend in other countries as well. For instance, the Life Institute reports that in Iceland, nearly 100% of babies with Down syndrome are aborted. And in Germany, more than 90% of babies with Down syndrome are aborted.
This is a tragedy of epic proportions. The idea of killing a child because he or she doesn’t live up to the parents’ or society’s standards is a form of eugenics.
It is a tragedy, and hopefully, this wise marketing move by Mattel will help flip the script. As much as we rag on the wokeness of corporations and their headlong descent into fiscal and societal madness, it is refreshing to see a company produce a product that encourages life, proper acceptance, and what a society should be.
This Instagram video made me smile, as this teenager with Down syndrome gets to see herself reflected in a doll for the first time.
WATCH:
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And for your Feel-Good Friday palate cleanser, this mother of daughters, one with Down syndrome, shares a day in the life that is enough to make you weep for joy. I know it did for me.
WATCH:
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On Thursday, Pastor Jay Stewart launched his Life Ride across the nation. On Sunday May 7, Orazie Cook and Praline’s Backyard Foundation hosts its Paws for Domestic Violence Survivors 1K/5K Run Walk. I encourage you to find opportunities to promote and celebrate the life that surrounds us in all forms. Or perhaps be a life-giving force to someone else, and bring a spark of hope into their world.
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