Mark Morford has a column in today’s SF Chronicle about the new “Secret Spells Barbie,” a toy I hadn’t heard of because Sophia doesn’t watch shows where it would be advertised (yet) and we don’t watch commercials anyhow (gratuitous TiVo plug).
That’s right, it’s Mattel’s latest Wiccan-flavored mutation of the famous and famously obnoxious pneumatic blond dingbat, joining the likes of Barbie Loves Spongebob Squarepants and the Barbie Romance Novel Giftset and Princess of the Portuguese Empire Barbie and Spirit of the Earth Barbie (all genuine items, alas).
(Princess of the Portuguese Empire Barbie?)
When I read this entry I found myself thinking, Man, this is shooting fish in a barrel, but I had to say that I’m kind of happy that Mattel even came up with this idea. Why? Because it means the Fundies don’t control everything yet.
I would, however, recommend running out and buying this doll before the inevitable loud wailing starts and cries for boycotts and Mattel regretfully pulls the product from their shelves.
Does this mean that Barbie may yet forsake dull surfie Ken for that cute Harry Potter boy when he grows up into the wizard he expects to be?
because exposing your pre-pubescent child to a pneumatic plastic consumer-obsessed mutant in pink was really a family values thing up to this point.
At least Princess of the Portuguese Empire Barbie isn’t exposing her midriff in an outfit that would make a hooker blush.
Hmm…you didn’t see the Viking Barbie???
If the Secret Spells Barbie which has simularity to the Wicca religion is so bad the Viking Princess should be just as bad with her basis in Asatru the belief and workship of Odin and other Norse gods. Would that not fall under the same thing??
Why do people keep labeling the dolls as Wiccan as if Wiccans are the only magical people in the Universe. Why not label them Christian Ceremonial Magicians. My point is that these dolls simply portray teens who dabble in magic. Mattel wisely did not attach any religion to them such as Wiccan Barbie or Strega Barbie etc.
I am reminded about the “Tinky-Winky is gay” thing…remember it’s a doll, folks…just a doll…
Doing a speech on Barbie. Would like to know how I can download one of the first original Barbie commercials. There is also a Do anything, be anything commercial I would like to donwload. Help!
Thanks.
I think this is really a Diane LaVey Barbie. The hair is right; all it needs is some curves and a beautiful face. Hail Satan! Hail High Priestess Diane!
I hope Secret Spells barbie never is pulled off the shelf. It is a wonderful toy for kids’ imaginations to explore with. Barbie being a witch is nothing bad because witches aren’t bad, and people who follow the stereo-type of a witch are close minded, and need to open their mind up and take in new views
I think Mattel was just jumping on the Harry Potter bandwagon. I see nothing open-minded about it. Granted, yes, I do love Barbie. In fact, as a practioner of ancient high priestess activities, I’ve been on the hunt to purchase Barbies that represent the three god/desses I relate to most (Isis, Athena, & Odin). To my delight I found Princess of the Nile Barbie, Ancient Greece Barbie & Viking Barbie (ok, she’s not Odin, but close enough, lol) and I find them far more in tune with what I believe in than Malibu Barbie dressed up as Secret Spells Barbie! Heck, even the Halloween Barbies are cooler.
Also, I would like to add that I’m not a fan of the automatic association of “spells” with wicca. I don’t like labels, I don’t like religion, I don’t like group activities, but I do love researching ancient folklore, herbology, and such. There are many practioners of magic and we are not all Wiccan.