ANN ARBOR, Mich. ÷ Holding a platinum blond Barbie doll, clinical psychologist Stacey Pearson of Counseling and Psychological Services said the doll is one way in which American society perpetuates the idea that "the standard of beauty is white and it doesn't leave room for the diversity of sizes."

"There is this proliferation in thinking that this is the ideal," Pearson said. "This is the message, and it starts at Barbie."

America's history of colonialism and oppression of minorities as well as the ways in which it affects views of minority women's bodies both in the past and present were the topics of a dialogue held Thursday in the Michigan Union.

American culture Prof. Andrea Smith talked about the history of sexual violence against Native American women and how it was a result of a colonial and patriarchal worldview. She said because Native Americans were depicted as being dirty and polluted, there was a view that sexually violating them was acceptable.

She added that women in particular became targets because of their ability to give birth. They were often mutilated or sexually violated throughout colonial history.