TV host asks for diversity in children’s toys, gets slammed for being racist

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On Wednesday, during singer Jamelia’s “This Morning” show, Jamelia explored the lack of racially-diverse doll options available, and her segment was slammed by critics, ironically, for racism.

Looking specifically at the $4.27-billion UK toy industry, Jamelia looked into why there were so few options for dolls that looked like little girls of color as well as why those dolls that were racially diverse were not featured as prominently in stores.

“I’ve spent years searching,” one mother said in the segment. “It’s self-representation, if you see yourself then you’re part of the world.”

— Marvel VP blames diversity & women for slump in sales — 

“There may be, like, one Black doll on the shelf so, if it happens to be a Black one, [then] ‘Yes, I’ve got one!’” Deena Shayaam-Smith, one of the mothers interviewed, said, later adding, “If they’re not seeing people that look like them achieve great things, they’re not gonna think they can do it.”

However, Jamelia was slammed for her segment, with many accusing her of racism for teaching black children to only play with black dolls, while others questioned her reasons behind the probe, accusing her of putting forward an issue that didn’t have any legs with the advent of heroines like Moana and others from big names like Disney.

Check out some of the online reactions below.

https://twitter.com/dazchad/status/859711154930823168

https://twitter.com/LewisYiddo/status/859707999673253888

https://twitter.com/mellyjdee89/status/859708553564762112