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Like many toddlers, Tyler Ver Vynck's little girl has a favorite toy: a small baby doll with a pink bow. However, his 2-year-old's love for her doll receives more attention than most kids and the item of choice that they can't leave home without because Journey is Caucasian and her doll is African American [2].
Tyler explained that six months after Journey first got this toy, it's still her "go-to" doll that never gets left behind when it's time to leave the house. "If you have seen my daughter out, more than likely you have seen her with this doll. She chose her because she was "pretty" (which is also her name.)," Tyler shared on Love What Matters Facebook page [3]. "The current situation in today's world has brought her quite the attention when out."
When people see Journey and Pretty out together, strangers approach because this sight is restoring their faith in humanity [5], one smile and sweet hug at a time. "From random people, black and white, coming up to her and saying anything from, 'That is such a great sight to see' to 'I wish this world showed unity and love like she does to that doll,' her clueless 2-year-old mind usually will just reply back with, 'Her name is Pretty,'" Tyler wrote. "Ultimately, she is holding nothing more than a doll, who so happens to be black. But wouldn't it be awesome if we all looked at each other 'more' as ultimately ... human."