Overview

Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis is not merely a book but a call to action-a rallying cry for societal introspection and transformation. With meticulous research and unflinching honesty, Dr. Karyne E. Messina offers a roadmap for reclaiming our integrity and forging a more just and equitable future. Engaging, insightful, and indispensable, this book is essential reading for anyone invested in the fate of our nation and the preservation of our collective identity. In Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis, Dr. Messina ingeniously uses Barbie to symbolize the multifaceted identity crisis gripping America. Barbie's transformation from Lilli reflects the complexities of stolen identity and cultural appropriation, mirroring the broader societal struggle with individual and national identity.Just as Mattel co-opted Barbie's identity from a German toymaker, America grapples with a loss of authenticity and integrity in its own narrative. Dr. Messina's exploration of Barbie's evolution serves as a poignant allegory for the broader issues at play, inviting readers to contemplate the profound implications of identity theft and cultural commodification. In essence, Barbie is our metaphorical lodestar, guiding readers through the labyrinthine complexities of America's identity crisis.Through Barbie's lens, Dr. Messina illuminates the interconnectedness of personal and collective identity formation, shedding light on how societal pressures and external influences shape our sense of self and continue to perpetuate racism and patriarchal structures-that can hamper our ability to build an authentic sense of community free of tribal isolationism.

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9781736238813

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"""A brilliant examination of what Barbie says about our collective psychology and what we need to do to improve it."" - Dr. Robert M. Gordon, Ph.D. ABPP ""This deceptively slim volume is a big book, one about identity crisis and the challenges and discomfort involved in regaining or achieving authentic identity. Dr. Messina argues persuasively that Barbie's identity crisis mirrors the one now roiling our nation, and that this identity crisis interferes with solving major problems. In putting the nation on the couch, she nonetheless remains optimistic that we can as a nation take our cues from Barbie and move toward a brighter future."" - Wendy Jacobson, MD ""Dr. Messina deftly capitalizes on the current Barbie zeitgeist by making comparisons between the iconic Barbie doll, Barbie, the 2023 major motion picture, and what many Americans are experiencing in their lives right now: unexplained feelings of loneliness and despair. This is a poignant wake-up call."" - Dr. Harry Gill, Ph.D., MD ""If you left the movie Barbie thinking profoundly about the doll's impact on women, as well as sexism, misogyny, and patriarchy - then you will enjoy Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis: The Sad Truth about A Land Fraught with Racism, Patriarchy, and Glaring Hypocrisy by Dr. Karyne Messina."" - CK Westbrook, author"

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