Barbie Chihuahua? Mexican Barbie Comes With Faux Passport and Chihuahua (PHOTO, VIDEO)
A new Barbie Chihuahua doll has sparked controversy after it emerged that the new "Mexican Barbie," manufactured by Mattel, came with a faux passport and her very own chihuahua.
Critics have immediately slammed the doll as promoting racial stereotypes and called for it to be banned.
Barbie dolls are commonly known for coming with a range of accessories to match the theme of the latest doll. Many Barbie dolls in the past have sported accessories such as handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, among others, but the Mexican Barbie has surprised many with what manufacturers thought would be appropriate.
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The Mexican Barbie comes with a passport - prompting speculation that the Barbie's creator, Mattel, is attempting to make some sort of political statement.
The controversial Barbie is dressed in a long pink dress and has long black hair that is tied back.
The Barbie also has a chihuahua under her arm, and most controversially of all she can be seen with a faux passport and "sticker sheet."
The divisive doll is part of Barbie's "Dolls of the World" collection line, which has been in production for 30 years. This year, new dolls representing new cultures have been manufactured.
Mattel spokeswoman Sara Rosales has attempted to explain and defend the Mexican Barbie in a statement, saying: "Girls enjoy exploring the world and learning about different cultures through play. The Barbie brand understands the significance of introducing new cultures to girls in a relatable way."
Barbie dolls were first manufactured in 1959 by Mattel, and were inspired by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, who reportedly used a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration for the now globally famous Barbie doll.
Here is a video featuring the revamped Dolls of the World collection from Barbie:
