To be shocked with what I found in mothercare

[Lehman]

Im from the uk but have recently moved to Brisbane. I was pleased to find they have mothercare over here but shocked to find they are selling gollie dolls. I thought they stopped doing these years ago.

Moron?

Has it come to that? That's a shame.

A golliwog is not just 'a black doll'. If you honestly think that it is, then that weakens your argument more than anything I or others could say.

Well, leprechauns are racist as well as Cornish piskies and what about those tamo'shanters with fake orange hair that ridicule the Scots. Calling an Irish person Mick or Paddy is offensive and racist because (maybe) it suggests they are ill educated labourers. Calling people irish tinkers and white trash is racist, the term 'servant' might have the same connotations as slavery so is racist so must be placed by the term homehelp or cleaner (forget civil servants - they should be renamed). Baa baa black sheep should be renamed (and was for a time in the 1980s) for obvious reasons. Asking for black coffee definitely should be outlawed - we should be asking for coffee without milk. Not liking the smell of curry or the taste of garlic is racist. Expecting people to learn the language of the new country is racist. I could go on forever.

Brilliant. Keep going, mirry2

All valid and well thought out points.

Oh, by the way, golliwogs are racist.

Oh you are quite right tethersend I forgot about golliwogs

Kittyandthefontenelles- spot on. I didn't realise my writing talent and insightful observations were so apparent.

Apparently I've been censored...

i am hoping it is not for tis bit...

Ghulliwogs were rag dolls made by Egyptians for their kids. They came over to this country by the simple expedient of being purchased by soldiers based in Egypt at the time bringing home toys for their kids...

Nothing racist.

Somehow they have become embroiled in to the racist angle. Same as baa Baa Black sheep... a poem celebrating the colour of the black sheeps wool (which meant it could be used by the villagers rather than being taken off them in taxes. Black wool can't be dyed so was basically the shepherds to do with as he pleased.

Tethers I almost like you

"Somehow they have become embroiled in to the racist angle"

It really is a mystery, isn't it?

As for baa baa black sheep- I'm surprised it's taken this long. Hilarious.

Don't forget to mention Winterval at some point

MIL tried to give DS a gollie doll once.
Uuuum...no thanks!

Golliwogs are not outlawed.
Nor is Baa Baa Black sheep
Or Black bin bags
Or Blackboards.

Please note upthread I asked for real examples of PC extremism.

(shall we just get the Christmas being banned out of the way now as well?)

Lots of things dont start out by being offensive.
Spastic didnt start out by being offensive.

It is now.

So if we go with the version of Ghulliwogs being an ancient form of baby amusement that doesnt stop then being turned into Golliwogs and used to insult and torment generation of black children.

But I suppose the pure joy of a little white child on being presented with this essential item trumps that every time

Has anyone said 'gay used to be such a naice word before it was stolen by those queer chaps' yet?

Only it seems that sort of thread

Crossed post with Tethers.

Ooh I hadn't heard of winterval so had to google - my my tethers, you are a one for stirring .
Personally I believe that celebrating Christmas is racist because it offends the pagans.
Come to that I don't much like snowmen because they're an emblem of racism against white people, especially those with with long orange noses.

Do you think you are a.being funny
b.being clever
c.being original
d.making a valid point
e.a bit desperate and out of your depth

oh mrsDv don't be angry. I'm having fun!

Mirry, I am not sure you have grasped the point here. Snowmen are not used to parody and ridicule white people. Golliwogs were used to mock physical aspects of black people. They were described as grotesque, ugly, frightening etc, portrayed as the bad guys in books and cartoons. A bit dangerous, but not too bright. And with such a nice wide smile to entertain our children. Because when blacks golliwogs are not being hideous criminals, they just can't wait to sing you a nice song, ma'am, cause they got rhythm.

But you, they are cute. So that's ok. Not even a generation on from the minstrels and people have forgotten.

Yes, not you.

Oh love dont be silly, I'm not angry.

Please, dont flatter yourself.

LOLZ

How can thinking someone is angry be flattering?
and no need to patronise me either Mrs dv. I like your posts.

Psammead i had to re read your post - I thought you were saying I'm cute - but sadly no such luck.

This is great- it's like the thread that argues itself so you don't have to. I think I might go out for a bit.

Maybe you are cute, I reserve the right to withhold judgement on that one.

Golliwogs were used as racist symbols in certain counteies though. And such things should not be forgotten or written off as being harmless fun.