Welcome back, Colorado Barbie
In my latest column for the Colorado Sun, I repatriate The Great Pink Hope to the state where she was born. WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY PETER MOORE
CAREFUL READERS OF THE COLORADO SUN know that Barbie was the brainchild of Denver’s own Ruth Handler. Handler’s iconic creation is currently shining in Greta Gerwig’s feminist fantasia — called “Barbie,” naturally. (Note: It’s not called Ken; who cares about him, except him? Nobody!)
The movie hinges on Barbie’s multiple — but always pink — personalities, ranging from Nobel prize winner to president to astronaut to just plain weird. Now illustrator Peter Moore repatriates Barbie to her spiritual home state, where she can shine in distinctly Coloradan ways. She was born and bred here, and dang it, this is where she belongs.
For instance…
Lucy's first Barbie: 23 years ago, Hope and I were hiking with Lucy, 3, around Kennesaw Mountain. Sam was in the backpack. On the side of the trail, discarded, was a naked Barbie doll. She picked it up, fell in love with it, and carried it home. That Barbie lives on the mantle in her bedroom here in ATL, forgotten. Lucy lives in D.C., Barbie-less.
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