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Original poster

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

230 replies

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 09:57

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

Single Solar Tiki Water Sports Ornament in Assorted styles | Wilko

Shop for Single Solar Tiki Water Sports Ornament in Assorted styles at wilko - where we offer a range of home and leisure goods at great prices.

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/single-solar-tiki-water-sports-ornament-in-assorted-styles/p/8087004

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
EmmaMaria · 19/11/2024 11:53

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 10:05

I am not sure that I agree with a lot of claims of cultural misappropriation, but how is this not racist? How is this anything other than a depiction of a Polynesian person, in a 'gollywog' style?

Tiki's aren't depictions of people though!

Personnally, I think it is gross on so many levels, but racist - no.

(Goes and hides wooden carved Tiki from New Zealand in case the OP pops in for coffee...)

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 11:51

Viviennemary · 19/11/2024 11:48

Yes it's pretty vile. I think it should be withdrawn from sale.

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Pop them a quick email then

Maia77 · 19/11/2024 11:50

It's a typical American cartoonish interpretation of Polynesian/tiki culture. I don't necessarily think it's racist, but I also don't feel super comfortable seeing these kinds of ornaments.

ImJustAGirlInACountrySong · 19/11/2024 11:48

Oh dear op.... you've had your arse handed to you on a plate! Not the thread you hoped for!

Viviennemary · 19/11/2024 11:48

Hoppinggreen · 19/11/2024 10:18

Its fucking awful for sure, and may well be racist as well.
At the least its a stereotype

Yes it's pretty vile. I think it should be withdrawn from sale.

ChishiyaBat · 19/11/2024 11:48

What about kokeshi dolls, are they racist? Asking for a friend😂.

SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament · 19/11/2024 11:48

PuppiesProzacProsecco · 19/11/2024 11:45

It's a guy who lives opposite my office. His garden is a year round horror - a gift that keeps on giving.

He also has a couple of 3 foot high Betty Boop statues and a large horse sculpture (a la Joey on Friends) in the picture window at the front of the house.

He has a very naff personalised numberplate and picks his nose whilst driving his Range Rover too.

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Does he keep the Betty Boop's outside?? Those things are worth a pretty penny.

Pluvia · 19/11/2024 11:47

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 10:05

I am not sure that I agree with a lot of claims of cultural misappropriation, but how is this not racist? How is this anything other than a depiction of a Polynesian person, in a 'gollywog' style?

It's a horrible thing and the fact that apparently people will spend £18 on it confirms that my decision never to enter The Range was a good one. But I've seen a number of Polynesian canoe and other carvings and it's not that far from removed from the real thing. It's a jollied-up cartoon version of some of the images on you can see here on Maori canoes. Terrible taste, certainly, but racist?
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/maori-carving-canoe.html?sortBy=relevant

Maori carving canoe hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

Find the perfect maori carving canoe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/maori-carving-canoe.html?sortBy=relevant

larkinthebark · 19/11/2024 11:47

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

Waitingfordoggo · 19/11/2024 11:46

OP do you feel the same way about Buddha statues? A lot of people have those in their homes/gardens, including comical/irreverent ones where the Buddha is misrepresented for comic effect. (I saw a Shrek one, for example).

I don't know if any of these things are racist or offensive because I'm not Polynesian nor Buddhist but interested in what you think re Buddha statues.

PuppiesProzacProsecco · 19/11/2024 11:45

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 10:18

@Lochroy I always wonder who buys the gnomes Asda sells!

It's a guy who lives opposite my office. His garden is a year round horror - a gift that keeps on giving.

He also has a couple of 3 foot high Betty Boop statues and a large horse sculpture (a la Joey on Friends) in the picture window at the front of the house.

He has a very naff personalised numberplate and picks his nose whilst driving his Range Rover too.

SassK · 19/11/2024 11:40

'Tis a noble and terribly worthwhile thing you are doing OP. In fact, your post has given me great comfort and renewed hope for the future of mankind. Thank you.

TulipTuesday · 19/11/2024 11:40

BIossomtoes · 19/11/2024 11:17

I imagine she means dark Morris dancers which have roots in ancient pagan tradition.

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Yeah I thought that might be what op was getting at.

BIossomtoes · 19/11/2024 11:40

holju · 19/11/2024 11:32

I used to work in complaints and I'm completely sure they will have taken this seriously. They definitely won't quote it on the office whiteboard, and they absolutely won't laugh about it in the pub on Friday.

😂

holju · 19/11/2024 11:32

I used to work in complaints and I'm completely sure they will have taken this seriously. They definitely won't quote it on the office whiteboard, and they absolutely won't laugh about it in the pub on Friday.

Errors · 19/11/2024 11:31

UpUpUpU · 19/11/2024 10:07

I cannot say it provokes anything in me.

Just don't buy one and move on with your life?

This

Alphaalga · 19/11/2024 11:29

He ain't paddling fast enough to be a racist.

SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament · 19/11/2024 11:28

OP, why won't you answer the question about where you live? Play fair.

Coulddowithanap · 19/11/2024 11:27

OP are you Polynesian or do you usually get offended on other people's behalf?

SidekickSylvia · 19/11/2024 11:27

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 10:43

Which part? Cringing at the blacked-up Morris dancers?

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Wow. I'm an immigrant to the UK, and even I know the history of the Morris dancers face paint.

Zebedee999 · 19/11/2024 11:27

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 19/11/2024 11:00

I'm with you on this... If I saw this in someone's house I would assume they were racist.

No need to admit in public you're utterly bonkers.
What happens when you see a clown, do you bleat that is racist against white people seeing themselves portrayed as a buffoon with a painted face and acting daft?

Everanewbie · 19/11/2024 11:27

I think you need to park this crusade now OP. Its tacky rubbish and at worst is slightly culturally insensitive of traditional Polynesian artwork. But 'Racist' is a big call, and you'd better be nailed on sure before branding that accusation around - its a serious one and can do a lot of damage to people.

But I'm sure, in the grand scheme of things, Polynesians aren't losing any sleep over some wanky bit of plastic in the tacky section of a budget warehouse. Please correct me if I'm wrong if there are any Polynesians out there rather than offense archaeologists with some kind of white guilt complex.

How long did you spend interrogating the websites of various budget retailers before stumbling on this beaut?

C8H10N4O2 · 19/11/2024 11:27

so @GardenNope are you:

  • Actually Polynesian and knowledgeable about the cultural references?
  • Wilko sales and marketing team?
  • White and performing outrage on behalf of us poor minorities (without asking first)?

Sometimes I wish we could do Polls

BTW - Morris blackface long predates the golliwog face (which is a particularly vile racist caricature) and its references to caricatured performance and dance. Some groups have chosen a different colour to avoid misrepresentation/confusion with the racist caricature form of blackface.

TroysMammy · 19/11/2024 11:26

It's an ugly ornament. Who loves and buys something like this or do they hate the recipient of the gift that much? It's on par with a tacky holiday souvenir a bit like the one I bought my elderly parents, who I love, of 2 tortoises shagging. My parents have a tortoise and I wanted to see the look on my Mother's face when she realised the tortoises weren't playing leapfrog.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/11/2024 11:26

IamChocLover · 19/11/2024 10:15

Don't forget to tell them how much your house is worth!

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😂😂