Transcript Differently-Abled Barbie a poem by: Denise

Medical Model- the person is “sick,”
“damaged” and in need of a cure.
 Social Model- negative attitudes and
exclusion by society (purposely or
inadvertently) are the ultimate factors
defining who is disabled and who is not
in a particular society. (wikipedia)
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A feminist poet who writes satires.
 Barbie is the pop-icon she uses in every
poem in her book called, Kinky.
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The ultimate definition
of perfection.
“I wish Barbie would
go away. There could
be no better method
for teaching the
worship of beauty and
perfection…Has she
ever had the slightest
imperfection?” –Focus
on the Family’s Dr.
James Dobson
Barbie symbolizes Society’s idea of
normalcy and perfection.
 Barbie is “the norm.” The picture of
perfection.
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The word “limp” has two meanings:
-walk with difficulty because of an injured
leg or foot (OED)
-without energy or will. (OED)
There is evidence that the author chose this
word to make a reference to disability.
A sail on a breeze-less day, refers to
something that is useless or has no function.
She is suggested that this is how “we,”
society sees someone with a disability,
useless, having no function or purpose.
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This scarred up Barbie
makes the girl feel
better about herself.
“We” feel better about
ourselves, and our own
situations after
comparing our lives to
the “pitiful, horrible”
lives of those who are
disabled.
The idea is, “I’m so
glad I don’t have
his/her life.”
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What exactly is a nob?
Nob-a person of
wealth or high social
position.(OED)
Knob-a rounded lump
or ball at the end or on
the surface of
something-(OED)
Did she mean to use
the wrong word? As
cunning as she is, I
believe so.
Finger-less fist:
 A hand that is not able
to be used.
 She may be stating
that her opinion of
people with wealth or
high social position are
like a finger-less fist, not
useful, don’t have
much of a purpose.
 This is a stretch: maybe
society itself is the one
with the disability?
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“We” as society, who are only comfortable
with sameness, create/believe/project
stereotypes that end up harming those
individuals who are disabled, because we
think they want and/or are in need of our
help. We want to coddle/comfort them so
we can feel better about ourselves. So we
can say we had a hand in making
someone who is different more like the rest
of us-hence we are once again
comfortable.
Mattel created Becky as
a way to reach out to
the disabled community.
To “help” children and
families with disabilities to
be more included in
pop-culture.
 But…stopped making
Becky after they
received many
complaints that she
couldn’t fit in the
housed, cars and play
sets designed for Barbie
and her other, ablebodied friends.
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Though this poem may seem to be overly
satirical, and has a lot of symbolism, the truth is
that these stereotypes exist. A lot of people
subconsciously believe and inadvertently act
the way that Duhamel suggests they do.
Mattel, is one example of people who really do
try to do something to create equality and
awareness to disabilities. Maybe they should
receive credit for isn’t it “the thought that
counts?” This acquisition of equality is easier
said than done, but as long as it is a work in
progress, then maybe as society, we will
eventually get somewhere.