Time and time again our we are reminded that white privilege is ingrained within our society. When shopping for band-aids, make up, and nipple pasties society consistently reinforces that white is the normal; making it a struggle for the non-white majority to feel accurately represented in the society they live in. Yet, if you are someone that is born with a genetic skin condition our society labels as “weird”.
However, one artist in Missouri is trying to change that. Crystal Kaye is the artist behind doll manufacturer Kaye Customs. She has been creating dolls with black women in mind since she began her business. She has created dolls with Natural Hair, Twist, Bantu knots, Dreads, and male dogs with Thick Braids. Now she is seeking to expand the concepts of diversity further by taking a slightly different approach. Kaye is creating dolls with vitiligo and albinism.
Kaye’s dolls are more than just children’s toys; they are the future of the next generation. By creating these toys, it models to young children that the way they look is beautiful, admirable, and normal; as opposed to the stereotypical white Barbie my generation was raised with who looks extremely unnatural and does not represent any women, not even the white ones.
With future generations being raised with these dolls it will broaden their concepts of beauty and diversity. It is still only the beginning but this is a step towards a healthier and less body conscious world. Because everyone deserves to feel beautiful.