Barbie Chronicles: Issa Rae's Playful Lessons on Race and Romance

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Issa Rae has been using the power of storytelling through the iconic Barbie doll long before her role as "President Barbie" in the highly anticipated film directed by Greta Gerwig.

In anticipation of the upcoming release of the "Barbie" movie on July 21, Issa Rae, along with her co-stars from the film, recently engaged in a discussion with People about the real-life influence of Barbie. During the interview, Rae openly shared her personal experiences and the valuable lessons she learned from playing with the iconic doll during her childhood.

“My Barbies were fulfilling scenarios,” she told People. 

Rae further elaborated on her personal connection with Barbie dolls, revealing that, in addition to various roles, they served as an early avenue for exploring intimacy and connection.

“They were also like sex-ed when I didn’t know what sex was,” she said. “As a kid, I just wanted to play and tell stories and make them kiss,” Rae remembers. “They were my opportunity to play God — Barbies were the Sims for me before I played the Sims.” 

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Though Barbies were an early source of creativity for the future creator and producer, Rae told the publication she was aware of the “stigma associated with Barbie.” Specifically, what Barbie does, and, for many years, did not represent in terms of womanhood, femininity, sexuality, and race.  

“I felt like there was a lot of pressure, image-wise, playing with white Barbie dolls and my parents making sure I had Black Barbie dolls so I felt represented,” Rae said. “Barbies made me aware of race at a young age.”

Ever since its inception in 1959, Barbie has been at the center of profound discussions regarding beauty ideals, femininity, girlhood, sexuality, fashion, and races. The iconic doll has continuously sparked conversations and reflections on these significant aspects of society.

“There was so much held on Barbie’s shoulders,” Rae noted.

Fans will see Rae’s childhood storytelling come full circle in the highly anticipated film. She told People she devised her role alongside director Greta Gerwig. 

“Greta picked my brain, [asking]: ‘If this were the child version of you, how would she dress her President Barbie? How would her President Barbie act?’” Rae said. 

The answer, according to Rae, “is who my childhood version of a President would be. I think that she commands a lot of respect.”

She added it is ultimately up to the “Barbie” movie’s audiences to decide.