Michigan State Police received a wave of criticism from women staffers after the department posted a photo of a blonde Barbie doll in a police uniform on its X account. Hours later, the image was taken down and the department issued an apology to their "female members."
Texts obtained by the Detroit Metro Times showed women law enforcement members slamming the image as offensive.
In a group text thread, Capt. Jennifer Johnson called the post “embarrassing” and “insulting.”
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“I’m livid,” she wrote. “Our troopers go out there everyday and risk their lives and we are telling potential recruits it’s all sun shine and rainbows and make believe????”
But during that same week, the Barbie craze was being embraced by other state leaders, including Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“This Barbie is the 49th Governor of the great state of Michigan, and just like @Barbie, fuchsia is my power color,” Whitmer’s post read along with an image of a brunette Barbie doll. “I’m committed to fighting for a state where every Michigander, no matter their background, can thrive.”
Other state lawmakers and agencies put out posts featuring Barbie dolls with empowering messages.
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An unidentified MSP official, in a group text, alluded to the empowerment that Barbie represents but still didn’t like the message the image sent.
The department's X post included the message: “This Barbie is ready to serve the state of Michigan!
“It’s supposed to mean ‘girls can do anything,’ the official texted. “Oh, so that must mean I should be a bimbo with long blonde hair, an eating disorder, and have NO gun in my holster?!?!”
Another unidentified MSP official suggested the Barbie posts were suspect.
“Kinda makes you wonder who got paid,” the text read.
Read the full report over at Detroit Metro Times.
