I don't know if there's a point to this post, but I'm going to post it. It's just some thoughts I've been thinking. Let me start with this. I don't like to debate. I know this may very well spark some debate (if anyone sees it). But I'm going to say it anyway. I guess sometimes I've got to get a little uncomfortable.
A high school friend posted on facebook over the weekend about finding an african american doll was on clearance at Target, while it's caucasian counterpart was not. My initial reaction was to share her frustration. I wanted to think it was some ugly commentary of corporate America. However the more I thought of it... it speaks more of us as a society than it does Target.
I simply can't fault Target. Target is practicing simple economics. A company purchases items to sell in their store. They are out money until that item sells. They don't want items sitting on their shelves for months on end. They want to sell it and get their investment back (plus the obvious profit that keeps them in business). If an item goes too long without selling, they are going to focus on recovering their investment into that item (clearance!!) and open that shelf space up for something that will make them a quicker and or better profit.
It's really no different than the stroller I bought last month. I searched Amazon for the brand and model I was looking for. The red one was $30 cheaper than the other colors. Does that mean that amazon hates red? No. It means that color is discontinued, or not moving as well as the others.
So if if an evil corporation isn't the problem, who gets the blame here? I guess we do. How many of us have purchased a brown skinned doll? Have you? Until I became the parent of a bi-racial child, I can honestly say I hadn't. I didn't have them as a child. Then again, I live in rural, predominately white Idaho. This doesn't mean I think everyone is some sort of big racist. I think it's only natural for us to look for something we can easily relate to--especially in purchasing a doll for a little girl. Emma received a couple of soft, plush "my first baby dolls" as gifts. But when it came time for me to buy a doll for her, I looked at the plush cabbage patch. I looked for one with brown hair, brown eyes, aaaaaaaand a nice creamy latte tan skin. It looks like her. It's relatable. (I can't figure out the spelling of that word, maybe it isn't a word--did I just make it up??)
What's worse than a clearance doll, and I think what initially came to my mind when I read the facebook post was adoption fees. I know this doesn't jump into the minds of people who haven't been directly involved in adoption, but did you know that some adoption agencies reduce fees to place african american children for adoption? It's horrible. Or, at least it sounds horrible. Then again, it can be argued that the same rules of supply and demand apply. The fact is, there are less people willing to accept placement of a child from outside their own race, making it more difficult to place children of minority races. Once again, I'm outraged at first thought.... and then upon further examination, the blame falls in the same place. Us. Society.
I'm not trying to push my views on anyone, or condemn those who chose to adopt from the same race. It's just some food for thought. Our daughter is bi-racial. Most people who look at her don't see it, but we have to be much more deliberate with respect to race in our parenting.
No one has asked, but I'm sure someone is wondering... so I'm just going to say it. Our agency did not offer reduced fees for trans-racial placements. God just chose her for our family. Oh, and I went to Target today in search of the deal on the brown-skinned baby doll to buy for my girl, but it was already gone. I'm glad someone bought it!
But first, PICTURES!!! No, wait, let me back up.
