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?

I am white but I complained when I bought an item in a local (rural) shop and found the label had a small Golliwog on it (hadn't noticed until I got it home). So they are definitely still out there!

I am a black poster who has been on MN for a long time. Sadly the bullshit posted on golliwog threads seems to be getting worse, not better. All irritating reactions are present and correct on this thread, including white posters doubting that OP is real because, apparently, racism is over and they never see golliwogs for sale. Ok then.

OP, I am a lot older than you. (I remember what racism was like in the 70s -just- and 80s). And with the benefit of that experience, just wanted to say acquiescence gets you nowhere. You certainly do have to be considered in how you speak up for yourself, but always speak up. Eyes on the prize, etc. I am the ONLY black woman in my industry sector in the UK, so I know whereof I speak.

Also, sounds as though we need a black posters thread for these "normally only held with family members" conversations.

Sadly OP there's always been racism on MN but I've never seen anything quite like this. I hope you take a bit of comfort that MNHQ and the majority of posters on this thread are fully behind you.

This thread is utterly depressing.

OP I support you and think you couldn't be more in the right if you tried! This whole thread has made me seriously consider leaving the website; I don't want to hang around with ignorant, arrogant racists in real life and neither do I want to here.

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.

I agree and can't understand why HQ is not deleting the racist posts as well as the troll hunting ones.

It's an inanimate object. Get a grip

Oh good. Another post to add to the thick brigade.

Ffs @blue2701 it’s not an inanimate object it’s a symbol of racism. Educate yourself you fool

Can I just state to anyone wondering why one of my posts was deleted, I called someone a silly t**t because they aimed a pretty racist comment at me! Waiting for someone to come back with 'well one of your posts has been deleted too!'

IMO it was entirely called for (look at me having to justify myself again)

Anyway. Considering removing myself from this site as the amount of casual racism and ignorance here is unbelievable. I mostly post about my pregnancy (I'm 30 something weeks pregnant) and don't think I want advice from those who have views such as this. Regardless of what kind!

Just, no words...

well done Blue2701! Such penetrating insight!

LARLARLAND "Remember the Duchess of Kent wearing a ‘Black-a-Moor’ brooch at her first meeting with Megan Markle? She made a choice to wear that brooch that date, for what reason I do not know but the stupidity and insensitive of the woman, if it was ever in doubt, was utterly confirmed that day."

That was Princess Michael of Kent. The Duchess of Kent would never do such a thing.

I knew this thread would be distressing for you OP. So sorry. You can ask HQ to take it down if you want but I know that won't help.

Why do white people feel they have the right to tell black people 'well it's not offensive cus I said so?' If you aren't even going to TRY to understand then I'm sorry but you are rude, stupid and arrogant.

I'm white with mixed race family; one of my young cousins was caught in the bath by his mom once trying to 'scrub his black off' because of racist comments from the community.

You people on here with your ignorant comments should be ashamed of yourselves.

@JacquesHammer list of inanimate objects:

• swastikas
• machetes
• firearms
• Isis flag
• Nazi memorabilia
• golliwogs

'It's an inanimate object' is a bit of a silly statement and a very poor argument on its own don't we think?

'It's an inanimate object' is a bit of a silly statement and a very poor argument on its own don't we think?

You’re more polite than me, I think it makes the poster look like a fucking tool

Oh no, asking mn to take this down would just make me feel worse. Why shy away from the fact that mn is clearly full of racists. At least it is exposed now and I can make the decision to leave the site. I'm honestly shocked.

If it offers you any comfort, GoodNews, we were responding to a report made last night, rather than a more recent one. From what we can see this thread is not attracting reports other than for reasons of racism, and we very much hope we've deleted those comments now.
We hope that HR can resolve this for you asap at work.

OP put this inanimate object on your desk facing your colleague.

Thank you @HopeMumsnet - I've sent them an email, and spoken to my manager. My manager is equally as shocked. He's also sad I didn't raise it initially. He's raising a complaint also independently from mine as he appears to have had dealings with my colleague previously that I'm not aware of. We'll see what happens...

Ugh, this thread. We have a right wing racist bingo full house right here.

Refusing to accept insidious racism still happens.
Accusing the OP of not actually being black (WTF???)
Several choruses of "I have X Y and Z golly items / I don't think they're racist / they're not racist any more they're just a toy".
Engaging the "angry black woman" trope because the OP has the temerity to be assertive.
Assuming the OP is a golly troll because other golly-related threads have been posted in the past (on a hugely popular chat board that's been running for years...who'd have thought thread topics occasionally get repeated?)

It all fucking sucks. And I say that as a white woman who had a golliwog as a child in the 70s and ate Robinsons jam. Then I learned about their history and, funnily enough, realised that ignorant/innocent of the connotations that my parents probably were at the time, it was still a bit shit and not something I want to see perpetuated. I'm not nostalgic over my old golly, I'm glad he was consigned to the bin many years ago now. When I see comments about gollies on local FB groups, which I do occasionally because MN is not the only haven for closet racists and there is always someone who starts on the "it's political correctness gorn mad" tack, I ask them to wind their neck in and get with the programme. And if I were another colleague of the OP's I'd have thrown this grotesque little piece of shit in the bin myself rather than leave her to fight the battle against racism alone, again.

OP, I hope you get plenty of support from HR and good luck with your pregnancy.

As mentioned in a post I made earlier, a similar racist incident happened at my husband’s workplace with the perpetrator pleading that it was just ‘a joke’. Thankfully HR and the company management dealt with this matter appropriately.

Posters that just seem to regard this figure as simply harmless/ cultural etc are either indifferent to racism or imho hold racist values.

To the poster that can somehow imagine themselves to be black and not offended in the same situation, your views come across as being deluded!

Why shy away from the fact that mn is clearly full of racists.

I agree...I reported a post couple of days back on a different thread (mnhq removed it promptly - thanks MN) and was really shocked nobody else had commented on it. It's appalling

I like golliwogs. They remind me of the Enid blyton books of my childhood. And jam - sugar plantations never crossed my mind until I read the post above.

HOWEVER it’s very obvious that they are upsetting and offensive to people so there’s no way I would let my kids play with them or walk around with a key ring . As for displaying one opposite a black person - outrageous.

Your workmate is being provocative and trying to start something. Or is really, really stupid. You’ve every right to complain and I hope they take it seriously.

Good to see that update op. So sorry there has been racism on here. Stay strong !

Sending support to you OP! This thread is ridiculous and sadly quite eye opening. I think you’re in the right here and I’m sending you good vibes. Hope your HR department sort out your colleague ASAP.