It’s definitely that time of winter, when most of us are ready to punch it in the face…if that were possible, which it should be.
Between excessive sunshine in Sochi, snowstorms in the South, flooding in England, and of course that polar vortex thing, it seems that we could all use a break from the weather.
That means it’s just about time for this year’s Sports Illustrated swim suit issue. I know, I know, exciting stuff.
Before the cover model has even been revealed, there’s already scandal over this year’s cover wrap, which as you can see, features the doll, the legend, Barbie.
Because that’s not weird.
Don’t worry, it gets weirder. The cover wrap is being accompanied by an entire campaign and a hashtag: #unapologetic.
The hashtag is meant to inspire women to be unapologetic about who they are and what they look like. Do you really think the SI swim suit issue was the best platform for this?
This report from the New York Times sums up the bizarreness of this pairing pretty nicely:
Mattel has long contended with complaints that Barbie, with her lithesome figure and focus on fashion, is not a positive role model for girls. At the same time, Sports Illustrated is no favorite of some critics who believe that the swimsuit issue objectifies women.
Clearly they’re trying to send some sort of message, or make some kind of point, but I’m not quite sure what it is. It leaves so many questions:
Are they making fun of themselves? Are they making fun of the parade of (mostly) non-athletes that have annually graced the cover of their publication, which is supposedly dedicated to sports? Are they making fun of Barbie? Were any women allowed in any part of these discussions?
And Mattel, what exactly is your goal here? #Unapologetic, really? You all feel good about that choice? I know #sorrynotsorry was taken, but what about #wedontcare or #getoverit?
I realize this particular campaign may not be directed at the young girls of the world, but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening.
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Slate: The Problem Isn’t Barbie in the Swimsuit Issue. The Problem Is the Swimsuit Issue.
…bi-daily smile…
