From: "cyber diva" <cyberdiva16-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: barbie (fwded with permission)
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 14:24:16 PST


From: Shamita Dasgupta <sddas-AT-andromeda.rutgers.edu>
Subject: ["Manavi" <manavi-AT-worldnet.att.net>: Join our campaign against 
Mattel]
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 11:33:36 -0500

November 25, 1998

Dear Friends:

        Have you taken a look at Mattel's new Barbie doll?  Please do
(http://www.barbie.com/collectors/pshow/pshow_h/h_20648.html).  This new
product, available in December 1998, features "Fantasy Goddess of Asia
Barbie."  The doll is one of the International Beauty Collection series.  
I
will not insult your intelligence by describing the doll's looks or 
attire.

        I call your attention to the exoticization that Asian women have
historically suffered in the West.  I call your attention to the racist
violence that is integral to and a result of this grotesque fascination
with Asian "femininity."  I call your attention to the stereotypes that
each of us carry as a consequence.  "Fantasy Goddess of Asia Barbie" is
obviously designed to satisfy the White male gaze that has promoted
trafficking of Asian women by legitimizing industries such as the "mail
order brides."

        Manavi is launching campaign to stop production of this doll.  
Please
write a letter of protest in your own words to the President of Mattel,
Inc., and mail it to:

Mattel, Inc.
333 continental Blvd.
El Segundo, CA  90245-5032

        If you need more information about this campaign, call our 
offices
(908-687-2662) to get our next newsletter.  Thank you for your concern.

                                                        Sincerely,
                                                



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com