03.26.07
Nothing But the Truth: Fifth Post (Prejudices)
I really like Patty and how she finally asked her mother for what she wanted. Katie, however, is really bothering me. The idea of getting past the prejudices one faces because of one’s looks and background is a major theme in this book, but unfortunately it only seems to go one way. The Asian prejudices are mostly broken down and stripped away from the Asian-American characters to show how they are more than they seem, but the more we see Caucasian Katie the more the “Malibu Barbie” stereotype is reinforced. She is completely surface with no depth at all. She is every negative image pulled up by the idea of a spoiled, blond brat and Headley seems to be making no effort to make her anything but Malibu Barbie. It kind of undermines the message of being more than what you seem. It’s quite frustrating because in so many other ways the book is so wonderful!