The Program in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Earlier this month, Mattel launched its first Barbie in hijab. Designed after Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, this doll is part of its "Sheroes" series. Mattel portrays this doll as serving as an "inspiration for countless little girls who never saw themselves represented in sports and culture". Many Muslims and non-Muslims alike welcomed the doll as a sign of inclusion and diversity. In the words of Miley Cyrus, "Yay Barbie! One step closer to Equality! We HAVE to normalize diversity!"
APC Visiting Scholar Shenila Khoja-Moolji says “let's not be too hasty in celebrating such moves by for-profit corporations.”
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/dont-quick-celebrate-hijab-wearing-barbie-171126114202958.html