January 23, 2009
-
Obama Girl Dolls
A toy maker is coming under fire for selling dolls with the names “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia.”
The dolls have the same names as the daughters of President Obama. According to the report, the two dolls “appear to be the only African-American dolls in the 30-doll Ty Girlz collection.” Here is the link: Link
Do you think it would be inappropriate to make dolls of the President’s daughters?
Comments (131)
i think it’s going a little too far
Inappropriate no. I find it very flattering. But they should have asked first…and Im not sure why they are the ONLY black dolls in their collection?!
i always wanted to make a doll resembling me,,,,, nothing wrong with a doll…..
Nope, Who the heck would want those dolls anyway? It isn’t going to be a life changing occurance in their lives… whats the big deal!?
……………………………………..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
People are THAT desperate for a profit?
.
.
.
They are public figures, but… I can only ask why someone would make dolls of them. @_@
It’s a little creepy…
no, and why does it matter if they’re the only african american dolls added? maybe the toy makers are just trying to make a variety, and make the moment in history memorable for young children. i don’t understand why this is bad.
I dunno. In one sense, it’s flattering. In another sense, it’d be kind of nice if they asked permission.
Oddly enough I’m dealing with a somewhat similar situation (though there’s one big difference) this morning.
whatever!
no
Gah! So many people are just looking for a reason to fight! Disgusts me. The dolls are a good idea and I’m glad that the doll collection now has some color in it!
First off, I think Sasha and Malia are absolutely adorable. Every time I see them, I just say, “Awwwww!” like I’m a grandmother or something. That being said, I don’t think you should make dolls in their image unless there was some sort of approval or agreement. Even then, the president and his family represent the United States. I don’t think there should be dolls of his daughters. They’re in the spotlight enough as it is. Let them be normal children.
I think thats just stupid, they are going way to far, just to make an impression. ugh. its pathetic.
@lonelywanderer2 - exactly!
No. There are probably a lot of girls who look up to them as role models.
Very odd…
What a coincidence? The are the only black dolls in the whole line and they just so happen to have the same exact names as the new President’s daughters, what?! Psh, what do they think we are stupid?
I don’t think they should have made the dolls without asking, they should have asked, and if they did ask — what is the problem?
There is going to be a lot of contreversy over the next four years with this family just because. It’s going to get pretty ridiculous. I think so.
No, that’s an awesome idea.
I can’t wait until they get pregnant at 15 and become the perfect role models for young American girls, just like Britney Spears and her little sister.
they should have asked first. but i bet the girls like the dolls?
Nope… I think it’d be cool to have a doll like that.
Now, let’s just hope sex dolls resembling the president’s daughter comes out. Then we have some problems..
we’re most definitely living in the age of capitalism
yes, i do believe this is inappropriate… not just from the viewpoint of President Obama, but more importantly (in my opinion), from the viewpoint of Dad Obama.
what do you think, Dan?
Not inapropriate, at least not on it’s face. But at least give the girls a cut of the profits if they’re going to capitalize on their image.
Damn corporate greed!!!
@DommieGirlLovie - This whole thing is just vultures grabbing before the body’s picked clean!
Nah…those dolls are more appropriate than some of the big boobed barbies out there.
@so_far_away16 - You are sick, twisted & wrong. Glad to meet ya!
Well, when someone goes into politics, especially at this level, their family being in the limelight to the extreme, comes with the territory.
I dunno tho.. I think I still rather the Palin dolls.
It’s only inappropriate if you’re a voodoo practitioner and you use them in rituals.
Wow….it’s getting a little ridiculous already.
i dont think so. whoever buys it, buys it
It think its cute but they are taking the presidential merch a bit too far. Everywhere you turn he’s on plates, shirts, hats, dolls, cakes, everything. People are opportunitistic and exploitive. I’d demand 70% of all profits with my face or my kids faces on them.
Peace.
I think as long as the Obama family says it’s okay, then it is. I mean, they are going to be role models for young girls everywhere, so it makes sense if they were dolls.
i think it’s flattering, and it’s only inevitable that they will become celebrities- after all, they are beautiful little girls and daughters of the president! they’re better than the bush whores, right? i think that it’s wonderful that they’re the first african american dolls- their father is the first african american (well, half) president, so it is a historic moment for the civil rights movement. there’s nothing wrong with making it important for little girls and boys. if anything, it’ll bring politics into their own lives, and i don’t think there’s any way that can be unhealthy. it’s not like they’re big-boobed barbies or creepy bratz…
@lonelywanderer2 - exactly! I can’t stand it.
it’s only inevitable that they will become
celebrities- after all, they are beautiful little girls and daughters
of the president.
True but it’s no excuse for using them for profit!!! B@stards!!
@and_everything_fades_to_black - Exactly what she said.
This is the perfect time to add the black girls to the white doll collection.
I find it flattering…although the dolls look nothing like them.
@somebody_u_know - lololol.
Isn’t it a compliment to Obama’s daughters? I think those dolls are cute. Didn’t the Olsen twins have dolls too? lol.
it’s a little much but the dolls are cute.
Yes, that goes too far.
How else am I supposed to masturbate?
I don’t think it is.
Its cute & its nice that little girls are looking up to those girls. Better then others out there….
@Rchick2006 - I agree. They don’t look like them at all! But they are cute still!
It’s a little weird, but I have to admit that those are two adorable little girls! {The dolls, not so much. They look pretty generic to me}
What little girls wouldn’t want that?!
I think it’s awesome for them!
i dont think its innapropriate. a little odd maybe…
First of all, I think it’s so random.
And secondly, they don’t even look like them.
So at the end of the day, it’s weird!
Scary…
I don’t know about appropriate, but it’s a bit ridiculous.
I always wanted a doll in my likeness. Not a voodoo doll.
i think the more important question is why should i care?
Seriously, who DIDN’T see that one coming?
No, that’s not inappropriate at all. I don’t see why it would be.
Its a bit creepy but eh, a company can do what they want if they were given permission to produce them. They should really add more dolls of all racial backgrounds though, so its a little less noticeable by those who think racism is around every corner. >_>
@Dare2BDiferentt - Not all girls in the spotlight are as dumb as BS, do you even pay attention to anything not featured on MTV? o_o;
They’re only three-quarters black, that’s so not even really black. They’re almost just as white as they are black so it’s totally racist of you to even talk about it.
no but they probably should have gotten permission and signed some kind of deal where the girls get money from sales and put it in their college fund or something.
It’s kind of weird.
a person has a right to decide whether or not their likeness is used for someone else’s financial gain…any attempt to do so, without contractual permission, may actionable…if done with the family’s permission, i see nothing wrong with it…good question, Dan…have a great weekend….animal
ps…one of your readers needs both math help, and diversity sensitivity training…the Obama family is multi racial, and multi cultural, like a great percentage of Americans…a quick check of one’s own ancestry might yield some surprises…there are a lot of us mutts, out there…we don’t need anyone to attempt to pigeon hole us, nor do we need anyone’s permission to live…we are here, and have as much right to self esteem as anyone else…besides, i saw nothing racist in your question
I want a TY doll named “Beyonce”!!
i would be honored to have a doll after me. but it’s probably more complex of an issue than im reading into. maybe they shoulda got permission first.
he’s using them to get money off of them. that’s where it’s not fair. the daughters need a cut from the profits. he’s using their likeness
yes
If people don’t want dolls made in their children’s likeness, they should probably not pursue a high profile career. That, or not have kids. lol
Don’t people normally get some sorta monetary kickback when a doll is made in their likeness? By law?
yes
Nothing wrong with a doll (just so long as they’re not the kind that blow up…).
Those dolls are cute. Why not make them? I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of it. <33
No, it’s kind of flattering. They are role models to other little girls.
they should have asked permission.
public figures or not.
XoÂ
At least they aren’t sexed up dolls in hooker clothes. That being said, they are a bit too much in my opinion. I’m not a parent, but I can imagine that Michelle and Barack wouldn’t want their daughters to be capitalized upon.
I do think it’s a good thing that people are beginning to be so interested in people that actually make a difference though. Instead of dolls that resemble celebrities that get pregnant, do drugs, go to rehab, and crash out before they’re thirty, people are focusing on a political family.
I see nothing wrong with it. We already make dolls of other famous people, why not them, too?
I don’t think it’s horrible, because the dolls don’t really look like anyone. They are a plain cloth doll. I don’t think it’s a big deal.
Good freaking grief.
We could at least TRY to let them have normal childhoods and adolescence.
Inappropriate? No. Stupid? Yes! I like the guy as president, in only a few days he has already taken action against some of the stupid things Bush did. But, I could care less about his kids being made into dolls.
It’s obvious that these two names were not picked randomly out of a hat (OMG what a coincidence they have the same names as Pres. Obama’s daughters!) I read somewhere that these dolls are competing with the Bratz dolls, and we all know that these things give an unrealistic picture of how little kids should dress, etc. etc. Not that these dolls seem like that, but the whole point is, why are they doing that without his permission? It’s kinda creepy.
Its very weird, but it definately gives the ty collectors something new to ponder.
I think to a little girl that would be awesome.
Although I think the company should have asked someone for permission, just out of common courtesy.
Thaaaat’s pretty creepy.
its creepy, and i dont see why a doll should be made of them, its not like they are hannah montana
No.
Clearly the only real concern here is voodoo.
I think it’s CRAZY but not WRONG. As long as they aren’t insulting…
ehh i don’t think it’s that bad.
kinda cute, actually.
Where’s the raised eyebrow emote…
This will do:
I don’t know… It’s just dolls, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable drawing even more attention to the girls. They are just little girls.
lol at least they’re not blowup dolls
No, it is gonna happen,at least they are cute.Margaret Truman took a vicious beating from the press as did Chelsea Clinton.
Thats kinda cool!
Barack Obama is not the new god.
His daughters do not need barbie dolls that ressemble them.
without their permission? Yes, definitely. If you’re going to sell a doll based on their image they should at least get a say in it along with some of the proceeds.
Voor geld verdienen iets te doen..
who gives a shit?!
Personally, I think the American Girls Doll Collection would benefit by it. Print up the story for history and make the dolls – they could sell millions if it was done right.
i think itz flattering the grrrlz cud be either delightid or appalled but either way i bet a bucha grrrrlz around the werld ar gunna want them i on the other hand wud lykea barak doll orra levi johnston doll mmmm sweet
hey how are you
i hate you so much
I think mabey they are a little odd but i mean we have hannah montanah dolls! So its kinda the same
Hoenstly, I don’t think it is innappropriate. I think it is a super exposed form of flattery and respect.
At least they didn’t make dolls of Bush’s daughters.
That’s awesome!!1!
His daughters shouldn’t really be public figures. They didn’t do anything spectacular, and they certainly aren’t running the country.
People treat Obama like a celebrity and this is just kind of wrong….
I really don’t see the big deal. Obama and his family are in the limelight now so stuff like this is going to happen. Is it a little creppy? Sure. Do I think its funny? Hell yes but its certainly not the worst thing someone could do, and it probably won’t be the last either.
no and yes
No. There are dolls all over based on the likenesses of various politicians. Politicians’ kids… well, their likenesses are also public, I suppose.
no. because people could use dolls as voodoo dolls and that won’t be good
@MManhoff1 - P.S. Sarcasm, duuude.
I see nothing wrong with it. Of course, a classy company would give them a cut of the profits (or pass it on to a charity of their choosing) rather than making up that nonsense about the dolls having nothng to do with the Obama girls.
Barack Obama has attained celebrity status. Oh lawd.
yes. they didn’t ask for permission and the dolls, who are supposed to be a 10 year old, and a 7 year old, have boobs.
That is sick.
They are black.
D: Wow. That makes OTHER countires look down on us even more.
obama sez we have to put away childish things and that most definitely includes dolls
That’s ardorable!
they “aren’t” the presidents daughters. they just have the same name. because those names are beautiful.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28791058/
LOLOLOL
Not really. I don’t see why it would be such a big deal.
when I read that article, I thought it was a little ridiculous. don’t get me wrong, the Obama girls are highly adorable, but it’s a kinda creepy “coincidence.” and the girls are 10 and 7. could we stop exploiting our children?
at their age, yes. if these girls were at least 13, i could see it.
Sasha and Malia are names.Just because the president has kids with those names doesn’t mean nobody else can use those names. I’m sure there are hundreds of other Sashas and Malias in North America. Sure, the company probably chose those names because of the president, but it’s not like the president has a copyright on them. Ty has every right to make the dolls and use those names.
is it just me, or do other people also fail to see an issue? there’s nothing negative implied from creating these dolls. your closing question at the end of your post is irrelevant.
The names remind me about them ladies of the night.
Only when the family had approved of it.
These are stupid.
Obama is not a celebrity.
He is our president, and is even very new at that.
Marvalous Malia should be holding a camera.
But yeah, thats just weird
They say that it is coincidence, and that they just chose names because they were pretty..LIES
No
that’s one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
Awkward yes.
Inappropriate no.
It is a little bit creepy to have the first dolls that are black just because of the obama girls.
omg, that is ridiculus!
Somewhat, yeah. But I’m not surprised.
ARE THEY VOO DOO DOLLS?
Yes, I think so. Just because their father is the president doesn’t mean they should have little girls across the country playing with them as dolls.
But I guess it depends how they feel about it and how their parents feel about it.