Arts·Commotion

How the new documentary Black Barbie reframes the doll's history

Culture critic Syrus Marcus Ware discusses the film, and what the industry still needs to do in order to value its Black consumers.

The Netflix film, about the impact of three Black women at Mattel, is available to stream now

Six Barbie dolls stand and sit in various pink outfits.
A still from the Netflix documentary Black Barbie. ( © 2024 Netflix, Inc.)

Netflix's new documentary, Black Barbie, tells the story of how the doll brand's first Black Barbie came to be in 1980.

Culture critic Syrus Marcus Ware joins guest host Amil Niazi to talk about the film, as well as the work the industry still needs to do to value its Black audience.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 14:25): 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Syrus Marcus Ware produced by Ty Callender.