Black dolls, then and now

A exhibition in Paris of historical black dolls from the United States raises the question of black dolls today in France: Where can parents find toys that look like their children, if they are not white? And why does it matter?

Black dolls on display at the Maison Rouge in Paris, through 20 May 2018 Marc Domage/Maison Rouge

(Click on the photo to listen)

Voices in this piece:

- Carole, author Les Etoiles Noires (The black stars) blog about diversity in children's book

- Mathilda, 10-year-old in Paris, who likes to play with black Barbies

- Nora Philippe, filmmaker, and currator of Black Dolls exhibit at the Maison Rouge (through 20 May 2018)

- Patricia Williams, professor, Columbia Law School, has written about the 'topsy-turvy' dolls in the exhibit

- Elsa Dorlin, philosopy professor, University of Paris 8, specialist in racism and slavery in france