Sociality Barbie might be gone from Instagram, and God might have left Twitter, but it seems there are many creative people out there who are having a lot of fun creating parody accounts on social platforms. The latest to catch our attention is Barbie Savior – a parody of those who suffer from White Savior Complex.
Going to parts of rural Africa (or any other part of the developing world), making a self-congratulatory attempt at helping the local population and recording the process, has in itself become a bit of a parody. I am not being cynical here, and I am not questioning people’s intentions, when they travel half-way around the world to join a project of some sort. It is of course important that people are willing to help others and take part in worthy projects.
It’s just that the process has somehow become slightly condescending in that many tend to sensationalise, over-sentimentalise or fetishise it. It’s this idea of the “benevolent white man/woman” which is of course rooted in colonialism. It’s a very long discussion that I am not about to have, but White Savior Barbie does open it.
If you like our stories, there is an easy way to stay updated:
Follow @wersm
And this new Instagram account featuring a Barbie with White Savior Complex parodies this. The bio simply states the honest truth… “It’s not about me… but it kind of is.” It is actually about the creators themselves, who draw inspiration from their own experiences in East Africa.
They are two young white women who have had the experience of being “white saviors” and are poking fun at the behaviours they feel they are guilty of.
As one explained,
The account is bound to create some backlash – and I am really expecting it to be honest – but this is also a necessary part of the discussion that is being opened here. The founders have a message to all those who could be offended…
What do you think? Are YOU offended by this?
Huffington Post: ‘White Savior Barbie’ Hilariously Parodies Volunteer Selfies In Africa
[wysija_form id=”5″]
More from Social Fun
This Pen Will Help You Save Your Job This Summer
How do you follow your favorite team during the FIFA World Cup and not lose your job? The answer is …
Adobe Brings Back The Lost Lettering Of The Original Bauhaus Designers
Adobe is bringing back the lost lettering of the original Bauhaus designers, through a series of five type fonts, available …
First Look: All The 150+ New Emoji For 2018
157 new Emoji are being released on June 5. But you will have to wait a little bit longer before …
