Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Die Betsy Wetsy, Die

Nude Barbie dolls
Image via Wikipedia

















This week the St. Catharines Standard ran an editorial about a Mom whose daughter has cancer.

(Barbie worst role model when battle's life or death, Mon., Jan 12, 2012)

The Mother is putting pressure on Mattel Toy Company to make a bald Barbie.  She figures that it will be a doll with which her daughter will be able to identify.

She has started a face book page and is evidently getting quite a lot of support.

The editor was appalled by the idea.

I was appalled, too.

At first.


Then I remembered the day that I executed Betsy Wetsy.

It happened in my bedroom when I was seven.

 I marched her right up the imaginary scaffold and put the noose around her neck and let her drop.

I can't remember if BW had any last words.

 She dangled and swayed in mid air while I changed roles from cruel executioner to sorrowful family member.

Blumpy, my stuffed elephant, and I sobbed piteously.

 I remember being so satisfied with the performance, that poor Betsy Wetsy was executed several more times that day.


Play is the work that children do to help make sense of their world.

And sometimes the world can be a dark place.


Bald Barbie might not be a bad idea.





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4 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, I can see a market for bald Barbies. But if Mattel doesn't make one, the kid can always just shave a regular Barbie, eh?

Jane said...

I'm not sure how I feel about this request (blackmail?). As for your murderous tale, that was hilarious!!

Chris said...

Definitely a bald Barbie. Why not. It's a good idea, and yes, she can still look glamorous and youthful. If Mattel doesn't do this then a toy manufacturer of younger looking dolls, should.

Anonymous said...

I don't see the problem with a bald Barbie. My daughter got a doll as a gift for her birthday. At first glance the doll looked just like her, it had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Then I noticed that she was dressed like a street walker! I certainly don't want that to be what my kid relates to!