A Louisiana branch of Walmart recently made headlines for prices on Barbies.
Fair-skinned Barbie dolls were being sold for $5.93, while dark-skinned barbies were sold for $3. Walmart officials said the difference in the pricing of the Barbies was not intended to be a racial issue and said the darker skinned barbies were on clearence and that accounted for the lower cost, not the color of the skin.
Students at Lafayette reacted to the news of the different priced Barbie dolls.
“There just seems to be more of a demand for white barbies.” -Sam Wright, 12
“Barbies started off as white dolls and they promote them more. I don’t think it is a racial issue.” -Anne Park, 12
“It’s pretty obvious that they’re trying to make a statement, but I don’t think it is a racial issue. It could just be a sales tactic.” -J.D. Vanderzee, 10
“It’s probably because of supply and demand, and probably isn’t racial.” -Alyssa Barford, 12