Pubdate: Tue, 12 Feb 2002
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2002 Cox Interactive Media.
Contact:  http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Shelley Emling

GHETTO DOLLS NOT QUITE IN CABBAGE PATCH MODE

New York --- Each doll comes with its own tale of woe.

There's New York Sammy, whose father was a drug dealer peddling Ecstasy to 
children.

There's East L.A. Lupe, abandoned by her mother after her father died in a 
gang shooting.

There's Confederate Tammy, a homeless girl from Nashville who was sold to a 
lawyer by her mother, a waitress who became pregnant after a fling with a 
truck driver.

With these personal histories, there's no mistaking Ghetto Kids Dolls for 
Cabbage Patch Dolls --- which come with their own adoption papers --- at 
this week's American International Toy Fair, the toy industry's biggest 
trade show.

Since they were unveiled on the Internet in September, Chicago businessman 
Tommy Perez, founder of Teddi's Toys, has sold hundreds of the $40 dolls.

But the father of two girls, ages 5 and 8, brought his dolls to the toy 
fair this week because he says it's time to get them on store shelves.

''I'm going to sink or swim with this doll,'' said Perez, 55, who is of 
Mexican and Native American descent.

Critics have said the seven Ghetto Kids dolls pander to racial stereotypes 
and that some of the personal histories are too harsh for young children.

For example, San Juan Carmen was left to fend for herself in a crack house 
by her drug dealer father and heroin-addicted prostitute mother.

Wearing clothes with holes, each doll is packaged with a small garbage can 
and a sticker that reads: ''Ghetto Kids live on the street. Provide them 
with the home they need.''

Originally Perez had included the personal histories in the dolls' 
packaging, but following criticism he transferred the stories to the Internet.

''Originally we made the doll to be somewhat controversial, and perhaps in 
our haste we created too much controversy,'' Perez said.

He insists the dolls' stories are realistic ones that will help parents 
communicate with their children on important issues such as alcoholism, 
homelessness and gang violence.

Perez's project director, Freddy Nawrot Jr., said the dolls prompt children 
to ask questions.

''We have a new Jewish doll coming out named Benji Schwartz that will cause 
children to ask questions about the Jewish faith, and so this is something 
that can clear up misconceptions,'' he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart