Golliwogs...

[GoodNewsTwo]

A colleague of mine today put a small golliwog figurine on her desk. Said she's always liked them and that she doesn't see an issue. I explained that some people (myself included) find them offensive and dated, and think they are too controversial for a workplace setting. As a black woman, I don't really like to sit and look at it all day. I'm sure many people wouldn't regardless of their ethnicity/race. AIBU to ask her again to remove it? I don't want to be 'that girl' who has an issue with race (I don't) - on this occasion, I just feel extremely uncomfortable.

wwyd?

Not sure how to feel after this thread!

It seems crazy that she needs to have it with her at work at all? Can't she work without it? Barmy!

Having been told that you find it offensive (even if she disagrees with that and does not understand your reasons) it makes sense for her to take it away. It is not as if it is an essential piece of kit for her to work!

@GoodNewsTwo

I think you're really brave for speaking out. And I agree, not saying something is often bad from a psychological point of view.

There's also the importance of reporting these kinds of incidents (especially in regards to hate crimes and issues of assault/sexual integrity). Important for the internal climate of companies and in some cases also for statistical and ultimately political reasons...

I still remember when I was asked by my boss "whether I had just flushed a n*" after coming back from the loo...

Or when I was working with a raging sexist who was way to handsy. And I nowadays really do wish that I had said something...(Most of these things happened when I was younger and still going to uni/worked pt. Or when I clerked.)

Anyhow, I hope it goes well!

OP, I also believe that your colleague is blatantly racist and the doll has nothing to do in a workplace. Or anywhere else except feeding a big fire. Please complain to your manager and/or HR.

If you've missed these threads, fair enough. Good for you, really, because they are disgusting cesspits, and every time we have one, and I read through the morass of justifications for displaying degrading racist caricatures, I'm ashamed to be an MNer.

Agreed. This thread has it's share of those awful posts too. Happens every time and is so offensive.

OP I'm certain that HR will get it immediately and the item will be removed. Hopefully the colleague will have a formal warning too. They would in my workplace. In fact it would be taken to a very senior level.

I saw golliwogs for sale in a shop in Cornwall a couple of months ago. Proper bacon-sandwich-dropping moment that was. 😳
Then again there was a house around the corner from the shop called ‘Labour in Vain’ complete with sign depicting a white person trying to scrub the colour off a black person.
Can’t help thinking you wouldn’t see these things in London. Thank god.

They are in a St.Ives gift shop.

@KissMeBoris but you're not black so:

1. it's not up to you who takes offence or not
2. you won't fully understand, but you'll do well to try.

I personally wouldn't have it on my desk, bit if I was black I wouldn't take any offence at it.

God they just get more and more stupid.

It's a cultural symbol, whether we like it or not.

A cultural symbol of what?

@KissMeBoris

How do you know you wouldn't feel offended if you were black?

That's like a bit like a man saying he'd "appreciate the compliments" if he was a woman...

And anyhow, culture doesn't automatically justify. Especially not in the workplace!

@kissmeboris with all due respect piss off with your comment. If you were black you would have grown up with a lifetime of racism. You aren’t so you haven’t so you couldn’t possibly know how you would feel. And they aren’t cultural. Golliwogs aren’t part of anyone’s history or culture. They were just in a couple of kids books and on a jam jar until they were twisted by racists to keep black people down. So fuck off with your cultural symbol as well.

Its an historical item... I get why people might have one in their house because it was their nans as a child and has sentimental value or whatever..... but it is NOT a childrens toy now days. Nor is it something you could happily have at work. People know they are offensive and racist even if they are not seen that way by the owner, people should at least have the awareness to understand that they can and do make black people understandably uncomfortable. Not something which is at all appropriate to have in a workplace. She is a bit nuts if she thinks it is.

How can anyone non black know how they would feel if they were black? Can you really empathise with the racism, abuse, prejudice, oppression, physical abuse such as being spat at, being called a 'wog' etc etc? Then tell me that you wouldn't be bothered by a golliwog figurine? @KissMeBoris I think that was a bit of a naive statement to make...

They are not part of British culture anymore than any other toy or promotional item is.
Something being popular doesn't mean it's part of our culture.
Jimmy Saville was big in the 60s and 70s too maybe I should put a model of him on my desk and see how that goes.

I can get why some people see it as racist, but they need to direct that anger towards genuine issues that affect the black community. Are young people getting stabbed and shot on the streets of London over Golliwogs? Get real

So you’re presuming to tell a black person what you - as a non-black person - wouldn’t find offensive and what you’d care about?

That’s some fine arrogance you’ve got

Just because something is cultural doesn’t make it ok. So is FGM, cross burning and forced marriage.

Are young people getting stabbed and shot on the streets of London over Golliwogs? Get real.

Bloody hell, so casual racism is okay because nobody is getting stabbed? In that case I'll put my swastika back up, because although it'll piss some people off and might get the sack, nobody's getting stabbed...

I mean come on! The fact that some black people are involved in serious violent crime doesn't make every other race issue null and void.

Just when I thought this thread couldn't get any worse!

I don't know what disgusts me more - the golliwog on the desk or the offensive posts on here that MNHQ has had to delete.
OP I'm very sorry that you have had to deal with this. Don't give up!

Hi everyone,
As our colleague explained some time ago, we do not have any qualms about this poster, bearing in mind that we can see what else she posts under other names. We have made several deletions and we would really appreciate it if the troll hunting and casting of aspersions could stop.

Thank you @HopeMumsnet

This is the most shocking thread I've seen in a while. Eye opening. Saddening.

Can't believe people are STILL reporting this thread and me for being a troll! What does on have to do to be taken seriously?

Probably one of the worst threads I've seen on MN regarding racist comments.

Really really horrible and upsetting for the OP. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

@GreatDuckCookery I just... no words... mn is a different place for me now!