A couple weeks ago Nick and Mattel released this teaser for a new, 'tweenaged Dora....
...and parents FREAKED OUT!!!!!
"NEW YORK – When toy maker Mattel, working with Nickelodeon, announced earlier this month that a "tween" version of Nick's beloved "Dora the Explorer" cartoon character would be unveiled in the fall, the response was overwhelming ... overwhelmingly negative.
Dora the streetwalker. A sexed-up version of a children's icon. A poor example for kids.
Those were just some of the terms tossed around the blogosphere after Mattel released a silhouette of the "new" Dora, whose image was drastically changed from the endearing tomboy look Dora fans grew to love, with her bowl-cut hairdo, T-shirt and red shorts. This new Dora appeared to have long flowing hair, and was wearing what seemed a scanty skirt, emphasizing her long, shapely legs."
Well, everyone freaked out so bad, Mattel and Nickelodeon decided to un-tease their teaser---- "No no!! She's not wearing a short skirt, she has on leggings! She's modest! She's wholesome!! She's..."
....BORING!!!!
I'm sad that things out in the world for girls either have to be incredibly negative:
...or so goody two shoes, there is no room for inspiration or self expression. It's the same sort of thinking that turned this:
...a unique and recognizable icon, into...
...this.
I mean, what is this?? Honestly, I was born too late for the original Holly Hobby, and I can't tell you what she was supposed to be, but that drawing, that bonnet, that signature silhouette was a strong ICON that became a recognizable, repeatable GRAPHIC that did nothing more than attract little girls' eyes.... successfully. Hello Kitty is that way today.
Why is all that is available to girls either horrendously negative, or so homogenized and wholesome it's boring beyond belief? If you gotta make Dora a 'tween, why does she have to have a neutral, boring expression? A slight, gentle smile and wide open eyes---- with nothing behind them. Why can't she have a strong personality? She sure doesn't LOOK like an explorer, she just looks like.... a girl. A plain,"nice" girl.
Is it true that all Mom's want for their daughters is to be vapidly, evenly NICE?? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for niceness-- I like to think I'm a nice person, but I also like to think that you can be nice and have a PERSONALITY. Why does nice hafta = LAME! What does Dora and Holly Hobby do when they're bullied at school? What if Diego won't stay out of her room and messing with her stuff? Does she joke around with her friends? Oh wait... I forgot. Girls aren't funny! And they certainly aren't cool.
What do you think???
*****UPDATE****
I drew this in, like, 30 seconds, but why couldn't she be cooler? Doesn't this seem more like an "explorer?" Doesn't she look adventurous??
**ANOTHER UPDATE**
Someone pointed this awesomeness out:
Rainbow Brite as of 1-09---- look for her in stores this Christmas. Can't wait.....
Will the world PLEASE stop destroying my childhood?? PLEASE?? Why this fantastic take on Rainbow Brite from Stef Choi?
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