Barbie Savior, la cuenta satírica de Instagram que se ríe de los salvadores blancos

La polémica que ha desatado la bloguera e influencer catalana Dulceida en su viaje a Sudáfrica ha logrado poner sobre la palestra una problemática bien conocida por el entorno de los voluntarios y las ONG: el complejo del salvador blanco. Esta costumbre, cada vez más extendida entre los visitantes del primer mundo que viajan a países con problemas con el ánimo aprovechar el contexto del drama humano para retratarse como personas solidarias, también es conocida por el nombre de volunturismo: voluntariado a cambio de unos cuantos likes en Instagram. La dudosa ética de esta práctica, acusada de racista, irrespetuosa y narcisista, es conocida y criticada por los voluntarios que no necesitan compartir sus experiencias en las redes.

Con el ánimo de criticar y acabar con este complejo del salvador blanco, el Fondo de Asistencia Internacional de los Estudiantes y Académicos Noruegos (SAIH) lanzó en 2016 el proyecto Radi-Aid, que cuenta con numerosas acciones para concienciar sobre el voluntariado responsable. La que más éxito ha tenido ha sido el de la cuenta en Instagram Barbie Savior, que cuenta ya con más de 153.000 seguidores.

Orphans take the BEST pictures! So. Cute. #whatsyournameagain #orphans #wheredemorphansat #kingdomcome #blackbabiesarethecutest #strangers2secondsago #attachmentproblemsarentcute #notazoo

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 29, 2016 at 9:02 PDT

Dear child, You inspire me. You inspire me to be the best person to myself and I guess everyone around me, even my frenemies. But mostly myself. The best thing I could dream of is to become successful, to have a big family in a big house in beautiful white suburbia. When I asked you what your biggest dream was you said “to dance”….(such a hysterically quaint dream that surely no privileged child has ever had) one of the most happiest moments in your life was definitely when you met me and my friends (but mostly me) and you asked me when I was coming back. I am sorry to tell you that there is a very small chance we are ever going to meet again. I have a lot of other children to take selfies with. It keeps me busy. Something you may not know about saviors is that we can see the future…in two years you are going to meet a grown up man that you have never met before, you two are going to have a child, and if you are lucky he will stay with you. But he will probably leave you alone with your child in your small home made of mud and trees. You will probably sell your body to someone else to earn money for your child. And then, a white woman will come to your child and give her the best day of her life. Just like I have given to you. Ah, the circle of life. I could keep on talking, but I want you to know there is hope. It’s me. But I have to catch a bus….. #dearwhitesavior #kenyanot

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 22, 2018 at 12:29 PDT

Today I sacrificed my daily beauty regimen (using my Rodant in Heels™️ product line) to visit the local “hospital” (if you can even call it that!) to love on and care for all of my sweet African angels. It provided me the perfect opportunity to snap some selfies with the less fortunate, even with poor lighting. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned over the years is taking selfies in Africa is NOT for the faint of heart…it’s an art form. One I have perfected, along with my super toned thighs. There is a social media guide floating around for people who try to volunteer just like me, so I’m glad there is now something out there to help you all learn how to be more like me! #exceptnot #dontbeaB #readtheguide #hateuscuztheyaintus #pagingdoctormcsavior #selfiesquats #mypaindoesntcomparetohers #butjusttobeclearimstillsuffering4jesus #icanbeyoursaviorbaby #icanselfieawaythepain #asavioraday #keepsthegeniusaway #jerrycansoverbedpans #operationbarbiesavior #codepink #praythreehailmarysandcallmeinthemorning #gunnagetcheckedoutwhileimhere #itstartedtoitch #challengethestereotypes #radiaid #rustyradiator All jokes aside, we are thrilled to have worked with our friends at Radi-Aid on our social media guide. Link in profile. Don’t be a B.

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Nov 27, 2017 at 11:18 PST

La cuenta narra las vivencias de una Barbie voluntaria en diversas zonas empobrecidas de África. De manera satírica, este perfil simula a la perfección el día a día de numerosos voluntarios blancos al llegar a cualquier país africano. Con extrema frivolidad, la Barbie es la cara de todos esos presuntos buenos samaritanos que buscan hacerse muchas fotos con la miseria humana de telón de fondo.

“Una de las mejores lecciones que he aprendido a lo largo de los años es que hacerse selfies en África NO es para los débiles de corazón … es una forma de arte. Uno que he perfeccionado, junto con mis muslos súper tonificados”, dice en el título de uno de los montajes fotográficos obra de los autores de la cuenta.

While their friends in the U.S. are busy catching Pokemon, they are busy catching babies! #GottaSaveThemAll #BroGo #bromaticentrance #babybackpack #thebrosareback #babyErgbro #babywearingforbroginners #wearallthebabies #wearalltheorphans #butwhoislefttowearthenorthfacebackpacks #savethenorthface #thisonewilldefinitelyworkforTinder #helloladies #babyprops #babygotback #wheredemorphansat #brorphans

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Jul 14, 2016 at 10:44 PDT

As many of you know, I was hospitalized not long ago due to a completely non preventable illness. But everything happens for a reason!! There are no trained medical professionals or hospitals in Africa, so I am drawing on my vast amount of knowledge gained during those few days to cure and heal those around me! #myloveistheirdrug #doyouhearwhatihear #heartsoundslikeafrica #auscultationcelebration #nohesitationswithmypalpations #prescriptionconniption #obnoxiousdiagnostics #beingfromthewestdoesnotamedicalprofessionalonemake #inconvienenttruth #surprisingweknow #wakeup

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el May 24, 2016 at 9:32 PDT

As millions celebrate Easter all around the world today, it dawned on me that there are children in this world who have never seen, much less tasted, the sweet, delicious delicacy of a Peep. The very thought made me tear up. My heart was broken and I knew I had to do something. This year, I have decided to design a Donate Your Peeps campaign. As we all know, Peeps never expire, making them the perfect solution to so many problems here. The crisis seems big, but the answer is small. And tasty. #giveapeepfoundation #peep4peep #makeapeepaboutpeeps #forpeepsake #wheremypeepsat? #problemsolving #africa #myafrica #whitesavior #whitesaviorpeep #peephope #peeptweet #ppl4peeps

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 27, 2016 at 9:39 PDT

Los creadores de este perfil aseguran en su página web que llevan “más de una década estudiando, viajando y trabajando en el extranjero”. La cuenta “comenzó como una broma”, dicen. “Comenzó como un lugar para expresar nuestras frustraciones. Nuestra pequeña cuenta de Instagram, sin embargo, causó bastante revuelo. Estaba claro que tocábamos un nervio en el viejo tema del complejo del salvador blanco”, explican.

I came across this beautiful creature all by himself. Solitary. Destitute. Nobody to care for him. So, obviously, there was only one thing to do! ADOPT HIM! Meet Aslan! My heart loves him so. (No animals were harmed in the capturing of this moment. Only loved. Fiercely.) #fiercelove #alwaysroomatthetable #fourpawstwohandsoneheart #loveothers #loveonorphans #loveonlions #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 17, 2016 at 1:26 PDT

All of this travel and jet lag has left me feeling less than beautiful BUT my beautiful heart is beating louder than it ever has before. In fact – it is beating now to the rhythms of Africa. In less than 24 hours He has revealed so much to me of His heart for these poor orphans. I am here as a vessel to save and to serve little girls just like this one. As soon as I set foot into the orphanage today, this sweet spirit came running towards me. She would not leave my side all morning so we sat together in the shade. As she laid in my lap, her brown hand intertwined with mine, I knew this is exactly where God wanted me. To love the least…the orphaned. I am here to love on all these little ones who have no one that loves them. All they have is me. What a beautiful picture of the gospel. #loveothers #loveonorphans #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #povertyporn #oneheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup #orphans #orphanage #orphancare #God #barbiesavior

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 13, 2016 at 3:21 PDT

The hardest part of leaving home to come rescue Africa was having to part ways with my loving and supportive boyfriend, Ken. He has faithfully supported me in my mission and fully understands that right now I must put my relationship with Africa above all else, even him. I was moved to tears when he told me he got the same tattoo as me in my honor. Te amo, Ken – always and forever. #tradingkenforkenya #reallife #sacrifice #mylossisafricasgain #brokenheart #worthit #inkisforever #illmoveonsoon #beautifulbreakup

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 22, 2016 at 12:24 PDT

«We are Africans not because we are born in Africa but because Africa is born in us.» #truedat #divinedecor #sultanofsnark #gonativeorgohome #iamafrica #holyhomelife #authenticafrican #love #imhome #meanttobe

Una publicación compartida de Barbie Savior (@barbiesavior) el Mar 24, 2016 at 10:35 PDT

La denuncia de la cuenta Barbie Savior se completa con un proyecto que toma un cariz más serio: The Social Media Guide. Consiste en una guía en la que se explican los cuatro principios básicos que una persona debe seguir a la hora de embarcarse en un voluntariado sin caer en el ego y en la falta de respeto que suponen las prácticas que critican.