During the first week of school this year, my 7-year-old niece's class had an All About Me activity. The children were encouraged to bring a personal belonging to include in their All About Me discussion. Niece decided to take her Maggie Raggies doll, Rebecca because, "It's the first doll Aunt Debbie gave me and because she looks just like me." This is what she told my sister. She added that she was going to tell her classmates that her Aunt Debbie makes dolls. My sister corrected her, "She doesn't make dolls. She writes books about them."
The morning of the All About Me activity, my sister asked Niece to rehearse what she was going to say. Niece informed that she did not need to rehearse because she already knew what she was going to say. I later learned from Niece that the event went well. The children "just sat there and listened," she said, as she discussed Rebecca. She was the only one who brought a doll. One child brought a soccer trophy, another brought a karate belt.
I purchased Maggie Raggies Rebecca from Tuesday Morning in 2005 when my niece was only a few months old. I sent Rebecca to my niece later that year as part of her Christmas package. She has since received countless other dark-skinned dolls from me. Occasionally at Niece's request, her mother buys other dolls for her as well. With the exception of one, I have only chosen black dolls for her in an effort to ensure she sees positive images of herself in her playthings. Her statement to her mom, "...because she looks like me," lets me know my goal has been met.
The above image of Maggie Raggies Rebecca by Zapf along with the doll's description and 2008 value are included in Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion. I was in the process of writing the book at the time the doll was purchased for Niece. Rebecca appears a little pale in my picture, actually a lot pale based on how the same doll looks in this online image. (Now I am wondering if there were two versions of Rebecca, a light brown and a dark brown.)
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The morning of the All About Me activity, my sister asked Niece to rehearse what she was going to say. Niece informed that she did not need to rehearse because she already knew what she was going to say. I later learned from Niece that the event went well. The children "just sat there and listened," she said, as she discussed Rebecca. She was the only one who brought a doll. One child brought a soccer trophy, another brought a karate belt.
I purchased Maggie Raggies Rebecca from Tuesday Morning in 2005 when my niece was only a few months old. I sent Rebecca to my niece later that year as part of her Christmas package. She has since received countless other dark-skinned dolls from me. Occasionally at Niece's request, her mother buys other dolls for her as well. With the exception of one, I have only chosen black dolls for her in an effort to ensure she sees positive images of herself in her playthings. Her statement to her mom, "...because she looks like me," lets me know my goal has been met.
dbg
Follow my Dolls for Sale blog
Please visit and "Like" The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen
What a great thing you did! So many times with children you don't alway see the fruits of your labor. I rewarding it must be for you knowing your goal was met. Congratz!
ReplyDeleteI was just speaking with a friend of mine who has a three year old. After spending the summer in Barbados with her family where she was relaxed and confident about approaching other children on the playground, her daughter has become much more aware of race and more hesitant socially than she was on the island. Rebecca is lucky to have an aunt who has made sure that she will always have positive images of herself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ladies!
ReplyDeleteI am a firm believer that in all things we should, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
dbg
Look at you, just spreading positivity and reinforcing a love of oneself and culture. You rock kind of hard, you know?
ReplyDeleteThanks Muff!
DeleteOften it truly is the little things that count toward instilling a sense of self love in our little ones and ensuring that it persists throughout their lives.
dbg
How sweet! Oh to be a fly on the wall during her presentation. I'm sure I would have teared up. I'm tearing up now. Way to spread the self love!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved being there, too.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a village... I am part of hers.
dbg
Hello from Spain: I must be rewarding it for you knowing your goal was met. You must be very proud. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteHello Marta. Thank you very much for your nice comment.
ReplyDeletedbg