Barbie Blunder

July 27, 2023

My Gen Z son has long told me that when I get self-righteous, I should look inward – because I’m probably wrong.  Now Gen Z informant B.D. has gently told me that I missed the mark with my recent blog post and “Barbie” review.  

I was too dogmatic about it – almost angry.  It should have been a warning sign.

Until further notice, I maintain my points about commercialism and profit.  However, when writing my last post, I forgot entirely about the character, Allan.  

It’s not surprising that I forgot Allan.  As an outsider, Allan is the counterpart to “Weird Barbie,” but instead of being loud, Allan is subdued.  They are both observers and commentators who explore gender in unique ways, but are only “seen” when they’re needed for something by the others.  They’re essentially invisible.

Thinking back to the movie, I admit that I didn’t understand Allan.  But I’m told that many genderqueer young adults are hailing Allan as a new transmasc role model.  It makes sense.  Allan deserves the spotlight.  It’s time for those who have been traditionally invisible to come out of the shadows, and take up the space they deserve.

It’s intriguing how many different opinions there are about this movie, often from people whose views tend to align.  I’m curious about why.  And I’m curious about how much these differences are generational.  

I’m also curious about the degree to which people’s childhood associations with Barbies have informed their opinions about the movie.  I was never a doll person, and I particularly detested Barbies.  They always felt decidedly anti-feminist.  It intrigues me that Greta Gerwig is a millennial, born at the end of the second wave of feminism.

Can and should Barbies be reclaimed?  Have they already been?  I don’t know.  But Gen Z continues to educate me about gender – and myself.  Point(s) taken.