not to know if "brown sugar" is offensive.

[Charis1]

I am taking some gifts from work colleagues to a friend in hospital tomorrow. We had a collection, and one person bought the gifts from us all. We have some nice toiletries and things, but are in a toiletry bag with a picture of a teddy on it and the caption "brown sugar". I thought that term sometimes used in a racist context, so am reluctant to hand this over. but not sure if I am being paranoid and overly politically correct.

Please help!

I wouldn't find white sugar offensive but maybe odd on a toiletries bag

Ive never heard of it as a racist term.....isn't it slang for heroin or cocaine or something?

i thought you were asking about the Stones song, that is definitely offensive and always amazes me that it gets played
the teddy just sounds a bit odd

The Stones song is about drug use.

I think its a term someone uses when they fancy a coloured/brown skinned person.

Ok, just looked at the actual Stones lyrics, maybe not about drug use and yeah offensive.

Yes, having googled, it's the title of a very racist song.

Would be racist if used in this context I think

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=brown+sugar

Urban Dictionary says 'An attractive black woman/heroin'

So maybe a bit dodgy...

well, I am quite happy to go out and buy a new toiletry bag to replace this one, I just need to be sure of myself when explaining to the others why I rejected their choice, or be sure it is ok to give the original as a gift. i just have to feel sure one way or another.

would other people give it, or replace it?

Coloured is offensive!

Am I the only one who needs to see the bag to decide? Where did the bag come from, is it like a gift bag?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brown-Sugar-Special-Friend-mug-Brown-Sugar-Teddy-birthday-card-gift-bag-/252042051677

I don't know if this link will work. I can't find a picture of the bag online, and the actual bag isn't here for me to photograph, but here is a mug with basically the same design on.

Fair enough thorn . Didn't like to use the word from the Urban dictionary which is "black person" so possibly should use BME . What word should I use.

It's obviously the name of the teddy bear, because it's brown and sweet.

I'd take it as the name of the teddy bear. I think it's probably fine. Is the person you're giving it to black? If not, it might not even occur to the person that it's potentially offensive.

Is your friend BME? If so, I wouldn't give it, unless I was sure that they wouldn't be offended. If they aren't, I don't know - how well do you know them?

Oh Ffs . Where does it end? I have a golliwog on display in my French dresser

Damn it. I'm going to the kitchen cupboard right now to throw away that pack of racist brown sugar. I will vow never to bake sweet treats again.

Now wondering if that's why avon stopped making brown sugar body scrub? The bastards.

Is your friend BME? - yes she is, and she is feeling pretty rough right now, not in the mood to laugh off some clumsy ignorant mistake by her colleagues.

I guess I swap it and deal with any upset that causes the person who chose it.

I love my golliwog collection Regina

what does that mean auntilin?

But would you give a toiletry bag with a golliwog on it to a coworker?

I'd say get a new bag just in case. Better safe than sorry.

I have never heard brown sugar used to mean anything other than brown sugar!
On the mug you have linked it looks like the bear's name.