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Original poster

Why aren't non-white people depicted on birthday cards?

99 replies

whatever117 · 29/11/2011 18:53

I just bought my (black) mate a card and everything was hilarious and funny and really looked like her.

Apart from the colour. I have just got off the phone and we always joke (each year) that the cards would be spot on - and should we colour the figure in.

We actually had a serious chat than all humourous cards etc do not depict people of colour.

OP posts:
springydaffs · 30/11/2011 11:48

ok then porca, how would you like it if all greetings cards featured all black people? Always, no chance of getting any with white people

If you're white - or a 'whitey' that is

FellatioNelson · 30/11/2011 11:54

Whiteys? Really? Okaaaaay.............Confused

porcamiseria · 30/11/2011 11:55

first of all you can get cards with black people on them, just use google. secondly you can easily get kids books with mixed races of kids in them, in fact most do.

secondly I dont tend to buy cards "wth people" on them anyway, so slightly bemused bu this issue

I think there are important issues with regards to racism out there, the issue or racism in football infutiates me. But this is a non issue IMO

springydaffs · 30/11/2011 12:03

are you white porca?

brabbinsandfyffe · 30/11/2011 12:08

I agree that those cards are often a bit rubbish across the board. I do think things like portrayal of people on cards, books, adverts, tv etc is like a mirror to society; if black african, chinese, whatever people aren't reflected back from cards, tv etc it's like saying that group isn't important enough to include (despite being part of britain). Seems in a lot of ways, like telly and books, it's got a lot better but not everywhere. The fact that seeing that advert moved your dd to tears springy, shows this is important too.

porcamiseria · 30/11/2011 12:12

my race is none of your business! I happen to have an opinino that whilst racism is an issue, this is not the main issue to adress. I also think that to get someone a greeting card with their race on would be very patronising. lets agree to differ eh

LaitAuChocolat · 30/11/2011 12:36

Its definitely an issue. I dont buy cards with people on them for that very reason. Also, nappies and baby food, what is with that? Pity i think Pampers are rubbish or i would buy them simply because they do have babies of colour on them, its rubbish that other brands dont.

lesley33 · 30/11/2011 12:43

I understand it is important, but it is supply and demand. According to 2001 census only 8% of population is BME. And in many parts of the country the local BME population is much lower - although much higher in a few cities such as London. It makes sense business wise for shelf space to be taken up with the most popular cards. And that is more likely to be those depicting white people.

I am gay and it is exactly the same with anniversary cards for example. Any featuring people have a man and woman - unles you go to a specialist supplier or internet. But that isn't homophobia - it is just commercial sense.

porcamiseria · 30/11/2011 12:49

lesley go to moonpig! they have lesbian anniversary cards, you name it, they have it!

lesley33 · 30/11/2011 12:54

Thanks - will do!

LaitAuChocolat · 30/11/2011 12:57

Porcamiseria, would you feel patronised if you recieved a card depicting your race? Serious question, not spoiling for an argument......

wahwahwah · 30/11/2011 13:05

Or try Funky Pidgeon (if you can bring yourself - why are their ads so terrible?)

FirstNoelle · 30/11/2011 13:05

I find it annoying when it comes to my kids (mixed race).

Its not just birthday cards, though, is it? Dolls, cartoons, books - mostly depict rosy-cheeked blonde children. It definitely has a cumulative effect on non-white children and I definitely do not think it is a non-issue. No matter how much you instill pride in non-white children, they are always going against the huge tide of media and consumer goods that say that white, blonde, European looking is best.

And in many areas of London (where I live) the population is almost 80% non-white, so there really is no 'supply and demand' excuse there. And even if there were - do white people only want to see other white people in the media or in the goods they consume? Really?

I also have to say - it is NOT easy to find books depicting black or mixed race children. I canot just walk into Waterstone's and find them. I have to search online and buy from (usually American) specialist companies. Ditto with dolls. We had to wait about 60 years for them to bring out a black Disney princess, for God's sake.

Yes, there are bigger issues out there. But it doesn't make this a non-issue.

LaitAuChocolat · 30/11/2011 13:13

FirstNoelle there is a Princess Tianna in probably every room of our house, i am trying to buy every variation! Its sad how happy I am about the first black Disney princess, When I bought the first one the black girl behind the counter was hopping from foot to foot with excitement because she had bought one for herself!

nickelbabe · 30/11/2011 13:13

my sister (who is white) has a black friend, and whenever they sent cards, my sister has to send a card with a black person on, and the friend has to send a picture with a white person on.
It takes my sister ages to find cards to send.

they think it's really funny.

manicinsomniac · 30/11/2011 13:18

Why isn't it 'appropriate' to buy someone a card with a person of a different ethnicity to themselves on it??

I'm not sure if I've ever seen cards with a range of people on or if they're always white.

It's just not something I notice or would consider when buying someone, of any ethnicity, a card.

And my children are mixed race. Still couldn't tell you if all the cards they receive have white children only on them. Nor, I doubt, could they.

I do agree that there should be cards available with a range of people on, just because there are a range of people in the world. But I wouldn't pick a card to match its recipient!

lesley33 · 30/11/2011 13:30

FirstNoelle - Yes it does extend to other things and it does matter. But it is a supply and demand issue. Manufacturers do not produce cards or books or dolls for a part of London with 80% BME people. Manufacturers produce goods for at least the UK as a whole and sometimes much wider. So the overall UK BME population does have an affect on supply and demand.

So if research shows that most people want to buy cards showing people of the same ethnicity of themselves, then manufacturers will produce cards with nearly all or all white people. These will then be distributed nationally including to some areas where white people are in the minority. National manufacturers do not tend to be that good at responding to local needs like this because it doesn't make sense financially.

That is where independent businesses come in. They do respond much better to local need and if your area is atypical to the national make up, independent shops are always the ones to seek out. And if you live in an area with a large BMe population and independent shops don't stock cards, etc with BME people - then ask them to. As others have said on this thread who do live in areas with a large BME population, their local shops do stock lots of cards with BME people.

ShengdanRoad · 30/11/2011 13:32

"Its sad how happy I am about the first black Disney princess"

It is quite sad, to be honest. To think that the achievements of the black community are summed up by a fucking Disney princess.

MardyBra · 30/11/2011 13:50

In the interests of inclusiveness, maybe more advertisers could go the way of the kids in junior apprentice who did the photoshoot with a black actress playing the mother of a white baby. Hmmm.

InPraiseOfBacchus · 30/11/2011 13:56

A tricky one. Many figures on cards are highly styalised - just sort of scribbly representations of humans, and thus it would be in danger of looking a bit pious if they were 'coloured in'. I agree, though, there are a few brands which could very well make the effort!

wahwahwah · 30/11/2011 14:08

And the ones with red hair are generally alcoholics, shopping mad or chocoholics. Or mad old bats.

So it is generally very easy to find a suitable one for my red-haired sisters then!!

LaitAuChocolat · 30/11/2011 14:29

It is quite sad, to be honest. To think that the achievements of the black community are summed up by a fucking Disney princess

Shengdan, you may think this but i most definitely do not. i'm just glad I can buy my black daughter a black doll in a mainstream shop and dont have to place a 'special' order to have it delivered from half way across the world.

FirstNoelle · 30/11/2011 14:34

Me too @LaitAuChocolat.

Before I had my children I had no idea how hard it would be to find books, toys, media etc that was reflective and inclusive of them. I was also very naive about the effects of being faced with such a dominant mainstream culture and its messages about blackness. I thought that by us being good parents, instilling cultural pride in theme etc we could combat that. Yet my DS still says occasionally that he wishes he was white Sad (and has no real understanding of why he wishes it). I find that very sad.

FirstNoelle · 30/11/2011 14:34

in them not theme!

AmberLeaf · 30/11/2011 14:44

There are definitely cards etc available depicting black people, my mum was buying them in the early 80s!

Obviously they will be easier to find in shops in London and large cities, but you can easily get them online now. That includes books with black characters too.

Re disney princesses, Shengdan you may think it sad, but lots of people I know were very pleased that they were able to buy their little girls a doll that looked a bit like them after so many years of not being able to.