Cashier Chides 2-Year-Old Girl for Buying Black Doll — and the Girl’s Response is PERFECT

Meet Sophia. She just finished potty training (go, girl!) — and when she was told she could pick a prize at Target for her big accomplishment, she knew just what she wanted:

“She kept going back to the doctor doll, because in her mind, she is already a doctor,” Sophia’s mom, Brandi Benner said. “She loves giving checkups, and if you come in the house, she’ll tell you that’s the first thing you need.”

Dr. Sophia, who will be 3 in July, was so excited about her new doll that she clutched her until they reached the register to check out. You wouldn’t think in 2017 that the fact she happens to be a white child who picked a black doll would be an issue, but alas…

The issue came up right away, when a store cashier asked Sophia: Wouldn’t she rather have a doll that looked like her?

*Sigh*

But Sophia didn’t miss a beat, telling the cashier:

“She does (look like me)! She’s a doctor; I’m a doctor. She is a pretty girl; I am a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? See her stethoscope?”

If I could heart that a million times, I would.

Benner credits the TV cartoon “Doc McStuffins” with teaching Sophia the word “stethoscope.” However, she credits Sophia for knowing what is important: The doll’s skin tone didn’t matter. To Sophia, she and the doll share the same career goals.

Benner was relieved she didn’t have to defend her daughter’s choice and thankful that Sophia wasn’t bothered by the cashier’s inappropriate question.

“If she was another child, that could have discouraged her,” Benner said.

Nick and I told Sophia that after 1 whole month of going poop on the potty, she could pick out a special prize at Target. She, of course, picked a new doll. The obsession is real. While we were checking out, the cashier asked Sophia if she was going to a birthday party. We both gave her a blank stare. She then pointed to the doll and asked Sophia if she picked her out for a friend. Sophia continued to stare blankly and I let the cashier know that she was a prize for Sophia being fully potty trained. The woman gave me a puzzled look and turned to Sophia and asked, “Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?” Sophia finally found her voice and said, “Yes, please!” The cashier replied, “But she doesn’t look like you. We have lots of other dolls that look more like you.” I immediately became angry, but before I could say anything, Sophia responded with, “Yes, she does. She’s a doctor like I’m a doctor. And I’m a pretty girl and she’s a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?” Thankfully the cashier decided to drop the issue and just answer, “Oh, that’s nice.” This experience just confirmed my belief that we aren’t born with the idea that color matters. Skin comes in different colors just like hair and eyes and every shade is beautiful. #itswhatsontheinsidethatcounts #allskinisbeautiful #teachlove #teachdiversity #thenextgenerationiswatching

A post shared by Brandi Benner (@leilani324) on Mar 31, 2017 at 1:39pm PDT

We think Sophia will make a fine doctor, indeed.