Page 4 | To think this product at The Range/Wilko is just plain racist?

GardenNope · 2024-11-19T09:57:42+00:00

I've been complaining about this range of products since I saw them in my local store a few weeks ago. I keep getting fobbed off with no response, or 'we aim to provide products for all tastes'. This just seems to me like a blatant racist stereotype of Polynesian culture. But the company doesn't seem to agree at all. Am I losing my mind here because it seems very blatantly wrong to me? [[https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/single-solar-tiki-water-sports-ornament-in-assorted-styles/p/8087004 https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/single-solar-tiki-water-sports-ornament-in-assorted-styles/p/8087004]]

Viviennemary · 19/11/2024 12:48

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 11:51

Pop them a quick email then

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I won't be buying one. And not that bothered but it could be interpreted as offensive to some.

RampantIvy · 19/11/2024 12:34

Sia8899 · 19/11/2024 10:55

I think it's trivialising their culture as it's a badly done copy of something traditional that's been turned into a novelty item. I wouldn't say it's racist but I'd put it into the same category of appropriation as things like mass-produced dream catchers, where traditional beliefs and crafts are turned into pretty or fun decorations. (Although I think this ornament is hideous so wouldn't call it pretty or fun!)

So, people who bring back local artifacts from their travels aren't allowed to display them in case they are accused of cultural appropriation? Figures of Buddhas, Vishnu, Shiva, Greek gods etc?

Hyperion100 · 19/11/2024 12:31

Reminds me of this guy (watch to the end)

Gonners · 19/11/2024 12:29

I see a Morris group from Ledbury have switched their facepaint from black to green ... presumably with the intention of offending the Irish?

Hyperion100 · 19/11/2024 12:26

Have you asked any Polynesians?

Cosyblankets · 19/11/2024 12:24

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 10:25

I suspect you are right, and we will basically return to the days when it was absolutely fine to throw around sexist and racist tropes.

I live in a part of the country where 'blacking up' is still very common and I genuinely do find this product offensive.

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Which part of the country is this?
This ornament is hideous but it's not racist.
If people don't like it they won't buy it. I don't like it but not because i think it's racist. It's just ugly

RedRobyn2021 · 19/11/2024 12:21

Wtf I agree with you

WAMozart · 19/11/2024 12:20

The word “Morris” is derived from “Moorish” so I don’t find the soot explanation very convincing. Reminds me of Dutch friend’s daughter telling me that Zwarte Piet had a black face becomes he comes down the chimney, and then showed me a picture of her local parade and all the Zwarte Piets were wearing Afro wigs and Jamaican football shirts.

OutVileJelly1 · 19/11/2024 12:19

There is always going to be people who have nothing better to do than constantly ride round on their high hoss

Negligence1 · 19/11/2024 12:18

@GardenNope I don’t see it as racist. Would I buy it? No, not because of racism, but because it is pretty ugly. I also don’t get the golliwog vibe, it’s nothing like a golliwog.

If you are looking to complain about golliwogs etc., take a look on Amazon, if you haven’t already.

PassingStranger · 19/11/2024 12:17

What does is this racist even mean, the word is quickly banned around today. Yabu.
Think about what you really mean.

AConcernedCitizen · 19/11/2024 12:17

Your ignorance of Polynesian culture while doing your absolute best to be offended is hilarious. Please keep it up 😅

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 19/11/2024 12:14

KitMounj · 19/11/2024 10:01

Reminds me of Crash Bandicoot.

The oogabooga mask!

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 19/11/2024 12:14

Imagine being so white and privileged that you have the time to get offended by everything

Lochroy · 19/11/2024 12:13

@Lavenderfarmcottage please can you just go and Google tiki mask.

holdmecloseyoungtonydanza · 19/11/2024 12:12

Oof, that doesn't feel appropriate for the times, I agree.

Pusheen467 · 19/11/2024 12:12

KitMounj · 19/11/2024 10:01

Reminds me of Crash Bandicoot.

That's what I thought!

ThatCoralShark · 19/11/2024 12:12

Lavenderfarmcottage · 19/11/2024 12:08

Don’t know if the other posters have looked at all these photos. Fairly racist if you ask me, big light up eyes and a laughing face that looks animalistic/mythical creature/non human.

I’m no Polynesian or racism expert and don’t know have any any racist imagery expertise/contexf for this ornament. However, as a casual observer I personally agree with it’s very racist and share your shock that this is being sold in 2024. The ornament is de humanising and a stereotype of a race, the large eyes and laughing Bafoon expression make the character resemble historical anti black racism imagery and caricatures from America. Many of these images aimed to poke fun and depict stereotypes and characteristics such as laziness, and being beneath white people.

It’s not supposed to look human as it is not.

Calliecarpa · 19/11/2024 12:11

Lavenderfarmcottage · 19/11/2024 12:08

Don’t know if the other posters have looked at all these photos. Fairly racist if you ask me, big light up eyes and a laughing face that looks animalistic/mythical creature/non human.

I’m no Polynesian or racism expert and don’t know have any any racist imagery expertise/contexf for this ornament. However, as a casual observer I personally agree with it’s very racist and share your shock that this is being sold in 2024. The ornament is de humanising and a stereotype of a race, the large eyes and laughing Bafoon expression make the character resemble historical anti black racism imagery and caricatures from America. Many of these images aimed to poke fun and depict stereotypes and characteristics such as laziness, and being beneath white people.

head desk Lots of PP have already confirmed that it's a representation of a god, not a person. Of course it looks 'non human'!

KenAdams · 19/11/2024 12:10

Are you Polynesian OP?

Lochroy · 19/11/2024 12:09

@RedToothBrush has it! OP is the buyer from The Range who bought a container load of these from China last spring, and they haven't sold, so now she's using the pile of mn to get rid of them to make room for Xmas stock with out having to discount the price.

Lavenderfarmcottage · 19/11/2024 12:08

Don’t know if the other posters have looked at all these photos. Fairly racist if you ask me, big light up eyes and a laughing face that looks animalistic/mythical creature/non human.

I’m no Polynesian or racism expert and don’t know have any any racist imagery expertise/contexf for this ornament. However, as a casual observer I personally agree with it’s very racist and share your shock that this is being sold in 2024. The ornament is de humanising and a stereotype of a race, the large eyes and laughing Bafoon expression make the character resemble historical anti black racism imagery and caricatures from America. Many of these images aimed to poke fun and depict stereotypes and characteristics such as laziness, and being beneath white people.

To think this product at The Range/Wilko is just plain racist?

Sunbeam01 · 19/11/2024 12:06

Have a day off

SassK · 19/11/2024 11:57

larkinthebark · 19/11/2024 11:47

Is it any worse than a Buddha ? Or a garden nativity? A WHITE inflated snowman?

There's a veritable feast of options throughout the year (Halloween, Christmas) for the professional offence taker. The OP gets extra kudos for a lesser spotted summer opportunity (the garden Tiki beach bar).

We're turning into a nation of killjoys 😕 I was watching re-runs of Still Game recently, and pondering when the busybodies will render it ageist.

Is it any wonder we have the Karen/Kevin style stereotypes? OP proving the point perfectly that stereotypes tend to be based on truth!

PuppiesProzacProsecco · 19/11/2024 11:57

Other than the being brown, this is similar to Irish leprechaun themed tat available all over the place. Is that racist too OP?