to find it a bit annoying my mil gave dds golliwogs for christmas?

[mrsshackleton]

Mil is very right wing and hates all political correctness so among other things has presented my two dds with two gollys.She says they're not golliwogs they're jolly gollys and every child loves them, which of course the dds do. We're staying with her in the country now and I am saying to dh there is no way we can take them back to London as we will offend our friends having them lying round the house. He says if we don't take them, mil will be upset (she will). What do other mnetters think? I can see that a black doll on its own isn't intrinsically offensive but I also think it has connotations that could upset people and I know my mil has given them to be deliberately provocative. Ah, merry christmas every one!

[cheeset]

I hate pc. I personally dont have a problem with them.

I would feel a little uncomfortable if they were lying around the house when my friends kids(sri lankan mix) were here.

Saying that, the kids wouldnt know or associate anything bad about them, it's the adults.

[cheeset]

Forgot to add, bit of a weird present and not sure if YABU.

[VictorianSqualor]

They're toys, traditional toys, that only became an insult when the PC brigade jumped on them.
I really can't see your friends being particularly bothered by them and if they are then I'm sorry but tough.
The whole world has gone PC mad, the people who get offended, or more often offended on someone elses behalf, by such harmless toys are the reason we all have to trip over our toes to watch what we say.
There is a great deal of difference between being racist and tactless than being someone who cares about others feelings but isn't on the PC band wagon.

[KIMIfullofhopefor2008]

When DS1 was born someone my DH knew gave him a knitted golly for DS, DS loved it to bits.
The lady who made it had a black son in law and mixed race grandchildren (who all had gollys).

I must admit it never left our house but it is just a toy.

DS1s now lives in the loft,

[NadineHumbug]

I've seem them in a shop local to us - they cost an absolute fortune (for what they are)

[MrsWeasleysmagicmincepies]

I loved my Golly as a child.

Whilst you are explaining to her about PC and offending your friends could you please ask her where she got them from???

[kindersurprise]

My gran used to knit gollywogs and since she also gave them to my mixed race cousins, you can assume that noone was in the least bit offended.

When my DD was born, my mum wanted to buy her a gollywog and I asked her not to. Tbh, I do not know the whole history, I am sure someone else will be along soon to enlighten us. I just felt awkward about having one (especially living in Germany, my friends would think I had gone mad)

[ejt1764]

My uncle gives every child born into our family a golly - we have been given 2 - 1 for ds, and 1 for dd. I have to admit that they've been stashed in the loft ... they're not my type of thing, but will probably be worth a bit when ds and dd are older ...

why not do that?

[NKF]

She's given the presents to be annoying so that means they're not innocent in her eyes. I'd lose them on the way home.

It's not just the PC brigade making mischief. Black children used to be called golliwogs by white children who hadn't been taught better manners. They may just be dolls but they have uncomfortable connotations.

[rainbow71]

I've just attended an anti-racism practice course for childminders etc. and they showed pictures of different dolls in different colours/clothes etc. included was an old golly doll which we were shocked at. We were all told that these dolls are completely acceptable as they depict all different colours and we should not deferentiate between colours and so it is ok to have these dolls and let the children play with them. They are only to be called golly's though. (it's the word wog that is offensive and is not to be used). Your friends should be pleased your children are allowed to play with different coloured dolls that will then make her children feel comfortable and accepted in your house.

I hope this helps.

[christmascatkin]

Think the term golliwog is seen to be offensive now and they are supposed to be called gollies. Don't have any more info than that i'm afraid!

[christmascatkin]

Xpost!

[nanninurse]

??

[EddieMonsoon]

I think that black dolls are fine if its only a representaion of racial diversity, but gollies or golliwogs as they were originally are reminiscent of the black and white minstrel show which would now be considered appalling. They were designed as figures of fun against black people and are very backward-looking ie black people as slaves and clowns

[kindersurprise]

ok, quick google turned up this page on why Gollys are considered racist. Must admit that I do see the author's point, the Enid Blyton quote is particularyl offensive.

I think thta I would manage to "lose" the Gollys

[EddieMonsoon]

I agree, lose the Gollies

[soopermum1]

i don't think the dolls are racist or imply that the giver is racist. however, i would feel a bit umcomfortable with them. if DC's really love them it's a shame to take them off them. maybe just keep them in the house and if anyone comments then explain they were a present. chances are, with so many after xmas toys, they won't be spotted unless they're given pride of place on the mantelpiece.

[myrrhthamoo]

I would 'lose' them on the way home - they are much more than 'just' a doll, they have all sorts of negative connotations and I wouldn't be happy having them in the house.

[mumeeee]

I agree with cheeset.Your children will just think of them as toys to play with they won't associate anything bad about them.
But if you feel really uncomfortable with them then lose them.

[cornsilk]

The dolls aren't racist in themselves. Just get your chn to name them themselves and that's it.

[WanderingHolly]

I was in my teens before the connection between gollies and black people was made to me - it hadn't occured to me to make an association.

Yeah, traditional toy and all that... but there is something that makes me feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't hand one out as a present, tbh. And I gave a child a Bratz this Christmas, so I think I'm fairly opened minded about dolls!

[Aitch]

the dolls aren't racist, no, they're inanimate objects, but their looks stem from a racist stereotype. i think they're quite different from having a black or asian doll, and personally i'd let them disappear.
interestingly, Upsy-Daisy is black or mixed-race in INTG but her dolls were white, which i thought was piss-poor.

[Blu]

A doll that was invented as a doll version of the 'minstrels' - a horrible racial stereotype of black people?

No, hopefully your children will not make the hideous connection with what these dolls are, since times have changed, but cartooninc stereotyped image of black is their origin, so no wonder you feel a bit uncpmfortable about them.

I would lose it.

[revgreen]

It doesn't really matter if they and considered acceptable or unacceptable in the wider world, if they make you feel uncomfortable then you should get rid of them. You could always put them in the loft or something so you can get them out when mil visits. fwiw I think they are offensive as they were designed to be offensive and although children won't know this as we don't have minstral shows anymore. I think most children wouldn't think of them as being human iyswim, more like goblins/elves etc. so it wouldn't occur to them that they were racist.