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AIBU?

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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
Laiste · 19/11/2024 11:04

I thought the morris dancers black faces were imitating soot on their faces from the mines. Something about miners needing to beg (wages low) but staying all sooty as it was illegal to busk and they were less likely to be recognised.

I could be wrong!

The last time i saw some they had used blue instead to avoid upset.

Stuck1001 · 19/11/2024 11:04

Morris dancing and 'blacking up' is complicated. I wouldn't jump to say it was racist. It is certainly controversial but the history of the practise isn't clear:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface_and_Morris_dancing

I don't think it has much to so with poor quality and arguably slightly tasteless ornaments.

Blackface and Morris dancing - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface_and_Morris_dancing

JC03745 · 19/11/2024 11:04

So are the blue faced Morris dancers being racist towards smurfs now? 😂

beeeeeeez · 19/11/2024 11:03

Just quick note - blacking up in context of border morris isn't blackface per se. It was originally done as a (fairly crap) disguise, so that the men could get a bit riotous and their bosses wouldn't recognise them. I'd argue it's cultural to places where border morris is still danced. YMMV. Ta.

INeedAnotherName · 19/11/2024 11:02

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 10:39

To me it's just turning those statues into a racist stereotype.

(Re. blacking up: one example is that the local Morris dancers still do this locally, but it's actually very common in local carnivals and festivals too.)

Show quote history

Mr Ellis says the tradition of using black face paint derived from when poor farm workers in the 1400s would use soot to disguise themselves so they could beg - which was illegal at the time.

https://news.sky.com/story/morris-dancers-ditch-black-face-paint-and-swap-it-for-blue-following-racism-concerns-12292902

Morris dancers ditch black face paint and swap it for blue following racism concerns

The tradition is believed to have derived from poor farm workers in the 1400s using soot to disguise themselves so they could beg.

https://news.sky.com/story/morris-dancers-ditch-black-face-paint-and-swap-it-for-blue-following-racism-concerns-12292902

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/11/2024 11:02

GardenNope · 19/11/2024 11:01

Yes I'm guessing that something like the Disney Polynesian village had a lot of culturally appropriate input? But I've no idea (and I can't see anything like this on images of that place, so don't know why this is a comparison).

Show quote history

Perhaps post this on Twitter directly to Wilko and see what they say.

Original poster
GardenNope · 19/11/2024 11:02

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.

Oh jeez yes, I could tell you exactly which of my family members would buy it...

OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 19/11/2024 11:02

@MorettiForMargo and 100% they should avoid the "it's a small world" ride.

Original poster
GardenNope · 19/11/2024 11:01

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/11/2024 11:00

I think the litmus test would be asking on a larger platform where Polynesians might be able to tell you if they are offended by it. I honestly have no idea as a white European with no ties to the area.

Yes I'm guessing that something like the Disney Polynesian village had a lot of culturally appropriate input? But I've no idea (and I can't see anything like this on images of that place, so don't know why this is a comparison).

OP posts:
Wishfives · 19/11/2024 11:01

@SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament but it's great when you do find one! 😂

Whitefluffycloud · 19/11/2024 11:01

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 10:18

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

Me too! Iv thought about it so often I sometimes wonder if I really hate them or secretly love them

SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament · 19/11/2024 11:00

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 10:58

@Thefaceofboe I'm not sure but it's great, if you AS me I think 85% of my comments say edited! (Also if you press the edited on someone elses, you can see what they previously wrote)

It's always so disappointing when it's a spelling error rather than a dramatic rewriting of the post.

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.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/11/2024 11:00

I think the litmus test would be asking on a larger platform where Polynesians might be able to tell you if they are offended by it. I honestly have no idea as a white European with no ties to the area.

Spuddling · 19/11/2024 10:59

Shall we ban Toby jugs? They are an affront to ugly old white men.....

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 10:58

@Thefaceofboe I'm not sure but it's great, if you AS me I think 85% of my comments say edited! (Also if you press the edited on someone elses, you can see what they previously wrote)

Amarige · 19/11/2024 10:57

It's an ornament. It's not racist.

Perhaps an actual Polynesian person might not like it or perhaps they will be pleased to see something of their culture for sale here in the U.K.

janeeeyre · 19/11/2024 10:55

Here's the Facebook group for Ripped off @ The Range
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2827636494166486

Thefaceofboe · 19/11/2024 10:55

Wishfives · 19/11/2024 10:34

@Thefaceofboe for future if you realise you've made an error you have 5 mins to edit your own post ( I'm always making spelling errors!)
Use the three dots to the top right of your block, drop down menu choose edit

Edited

What?? Since when? 😂

thanks for that!

Æthelred · 19/11/2024 10:55

I reported the whole thread as hate speech.

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!)

EasyComfortDishes · 19/11/2024 10:54

There’s a part of the country where trivialising Polynesian culture is commonplace?
Trying too hard mate. Next thing you’ll be telling us your Nan died of having Polynesian culture trivialised.

Cakencookieobsessed · 19/11/2024 10:54

It's not based on a real person. You're just taking offense because it's brown.

janeeeyre · 19/11/2024 10:53

It's awful, it does look it's from the 1970s and something you wouldn't create/sell now. No idea why they thought it is appropriate. Wilko used to be good before it went into administration, cheap and the quality was fine and great for household/everyday stuff without breaking the bank but now The Range has taken on the name, they sell the same low quality, tacky stuff. I tried a couple of times and stopped shopping there as even the Wilko branded stuff was much worse quality than previous Wilko, and especially since I found out that they treat their staff very badly and the guy who runs it has quite a reputation for being bad to work for. There's even a Facebook group for how it's almost impossible to get a refund for faulty expensive items like garden furniture from The Range.

SharpOpalNewt · 19/11/2024 10:51

YANBU. I'm surprised to see something like that these days. Looks like an illustration from an Enid Blyton book in the 1930s.