Singer Jamelia has long been outspoken about race-related issues and her questioning the lack of Black dolls in UK toy stores led to some accusing her of being racist.
The 36-year-old mother of two explored why there are so few non-white dolls available in the $4.27-billion UK toy industry.
“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 tells Jamelia on “This Morning” Wednesday, May 3.
“If they’re not seeing people that look like them achieve great things, they’re not gonna think they can do it,” Shayaam-Smith says.
Elsewhere in the segment, Jamelia visited stores and discovered non-white dolls, when available, were pushed toward the back of the shelf and out of sight, according to the Daily Mail.
Several watchers blasted Jamelia for the probe.
https://twitter.com/dazchad/status/859711154930823168
@thismorning @Jamelia Why are they teaching black children to only want to play with a black doll… That’s racist especially if it was the other way around.
— mellissa (@mellyjdee89) May 3, 2017
Children don’t see race in dolls, it’s idiots like @Jamelia who are obsessed by skin colour! #thismorning #pathetic #getagrip
— Jen (@JenPlops1872) May 3, 2017
@thismorning @Jamelia What a load of rubbish
— mandy barclay (@mandybarclay2) May 3, 2017
Still, many viewers had similar problems with finding Black dolls for their children.
@heatherfarquha1 @Zureedolls @thismorning @Jamelia This is a VALID topic that MANY of us black women can relate to. As a child i only had white dolls and im not even old.
— Rain drop (@mrsgiselle) May 7, 2017
@Jamelia What you highlighted was 100% accurate growing up in the 80s had to get black dolls imported from USA it’s only now that the UK is changing
— Tara Brown (@MsTaraBrown) May 6, 2017
Ive had to order black dolls for my girls from the US in the past. When you do find 1 in the UK they can be negative looking @Jamelia
— Heidi Curney-Miller (@Heidilouise75) May 6, 2017
I have two daughters and i've struggled to make sure they never had to own White dolls and I salute you raising the issue. #BiggerLove
— Rodney P / RiddimKilla (@RodneyP_UK) May 5, 2017
Several questioned the idea that Jamelia is racist.
https://twitter.com/MrJ_Jakobbs/status/860455514081308673
https://twitter.com/HeyYaa93/status/860410800317628417
The backlash that @Jamelia is facing for highlighting the lack of diversity in dolls/toys for children, just shows how racist the UK is.
— Kelechi (@kelechnekoff) May 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/chriswillclark/status/860797197993992196
A couple of people the pointed to the independent creation of Black doll lines.
Hi @Jamelia why don't you put up your own money and create a line of dolls to sell online seen as you see it as a big issue? Peace and love.
— showythegeneral (SHOWY) (@Joshuadageneral) May 8, 2017
I haven't watched Jamelia's piece, so please forgive me, but there are black dolls, usually made by African/Caribbean start-ups.
— Openly Black (@badgaltritri1) May 6, 2017
Jamelia responded to the on going debate Friday, vowing to continue to push for diversity and inclusion.
We've got such a long way to go, & I'm so very tired, but I'll never be tired enough to stop. The revolution will continue to be televised 😘
— Jamelia 🇯🇲 (@Jamelia) May 5, 2017
