The latest 'Girl of the Year' from dollmaker American Girl is making history

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The latest 'Girl of the Year' from dollmaker American Girl is making history

Transcript¹

A doll named Corinne Tan is American Girl's latest "Girl of the Year" — the first of Chinese descent. The company says her story will teach kids about standing² up to racism³, among other lessons.

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

Makers⁴ of American Girl dolls have made their latest move in racial representation. It's a fraught⁵ topic for toy companies who've struggled for years with criticism of the messages their products send. For example, is Barbie too thin or too blond?

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And do dolls look like the kids who play with them? Years ago, the American Girl line included a Chinese American doll who ended up in my house. She was discontinued, drawing protests. Now the company is promoting a new Chinese American character, who was labeled the company's Girl of the Year. And her fans include Mina Fedor.

MINA FEDOR: Growing up, I actually didn't have many dolls that looked like me. Yeah. I would have loved to have this kind of doll when I was growing up.

MARTINEZ: Mina is 13. She's an eighth grader from Piedmont, Calif. She comes into the story because Mattel, the company that owns the American Girl franchise⁶, sent money to a group she's part of. The company is donating $25,000 to a student-led nonprofit. The group wants schools to teach one day a year of Asian American history.

FEDOR: So important to celebrate our stories. We feel like that sort of funding could definitely help with some of our campaigns and pursuits in education.

INSKEEP: Now, what's all this have to do with a doll? Corinne Tan, the new AG character, is depicted⁷ facing some realistic issues in daily life. The dolls come with books that tell their stories. And in one, a boy in mid-pandemic tells Corinne she has kung flu.

FEDOR: She actually stands up to xenophobia during her story. And Girl of the Year dolls have often highlighted social issues.

INSKEEP: Like any well-rounded doll, Corinne also has stories of skiing and a rescue puppy, which of course lead to doll accessories that AG would like you to buy. But along with those accessories, the company is selling social awareness⁸.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

4 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 fraught   

adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的

参考例句：

• The coming months will be fraught with fateful decisions.未来数月将充满重大的决定。
• There's no need to look so fraught!用不着那么愁眉苦脸的！

6 franchise   

n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权

参考例句：

• Catering in the schools is run on a franchise basis.学校餐饮服务以特许权经营。
• The United States granted the franchise to women in 1920.美国于1920年给妇女以参政权。

7 depicted   

描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述

参考例句：

• Other animals were depicted on the periphery of the group. 其他动物在群像的外围加以修饰。
• They depicted the thrilling situation to us in great detail. 他们向我们详细地描述了那激动人心的场面。

8 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。