NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Dolls have always been avatars for a child's imagination. Black dolls, however, had a much more significant role in fighting to help slavery and ending segregation.
Dolls made for the Willis family children, ca 1850-60Glenn Castellano
In 1965, the first Black G.I. Joe was unveiled. Two years later, the first Black Barbie. While that doesn't seem like that long ago, it actually took a long time to get there.
On this episode of Beyond Black History Month, listen as host Femi Redwood explores the history of Black dolls, their paradoxical purpose, and why they mean more to children now more than ever.
