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?

Even the name for the doll is horrible and belongs to another time. Consign these things to the dustbin of history.

I believe you, OP.

I'm white and a friend bought my son an absolutely massive Golly when he was born. I have no idea where she got it from (who sells them these days?!). I didn't have a clue what to say.

I don't think my friend's racist and she knows I'm not, so I've just assumed that she didn't understand the significance and viewed it as another cuddly toy. My husband and I were both just and it is currently living in our loft; I have no idea how I'm going to get rid of the damn thing.

I'm guessing that all these people who don't know anyone who thinks golliwogs are ok don't live in small towns. I live in York and there's a doll shop which has them in the window display. Occasionally someone will complain, and then the owner of the shop will be in the local paper doing a sad face because political correctness is ruining her livelihood. You would shudder to read the comments you get under these articles on the website.

So yes, OP, I can easily believe that there are people like your colleague who don't realise how offensive these dolls are. If you hadn't said that she's normally nice to you, I would be inclined to think it was a deliberate attempt to upset you. In any case, a quiet word with your manager is required. He ought to be able to ask her to remove the golliwog without letting on that you complained, if you think it would be awkward otherwise. Yeah, I know that shouldn't be your problem but realistically, as pp has said, it would be easier for you to get a reputation as "the difficult one" than a man who made the same complaint.

I could just about excuse ignorance (though I’d wonder if she’d been living in a cave for the last 20 years) but once she was told it’s offensive and didn’t put it away immediately, I think it’s time for a trip to HR. Also, if you are in a union, it’s time to speak to your union rep. This sounds like blatant racial harassment to m (again once she was informed it was offensive and did nothing).

I can’t believe people are saying this is no big deal.

I don't believe this is made up. Not much different to recently going on a date with a guy who had a Golliwog keyring (I'm black). It happens.

It seems to me that many things I thought were unacceptable (like racism) are rearing their ugly heads...

I never thought in my lifetime I would see facism again, would never have dreamt someone like Trump would become president of the USA, also it seems that a kind of anti-political correctness is infecting some people - those types who defend golliwogs, blackface, Tommy Robinson etc etc

I always thought MNers were above all that, shocked & angry at the few callous & ignorant responses on this thread but also pleased with the majority of sympathetic responses to OP.

Well said tierraJ

Sorry, the other thing that irks me is the 'its just a harmless doll'.... 'I'm not racist' rationale. If you're happy to display an item that you know offends an entire race of people then you are racist! Fortunately, some more sensible people seem to be commenting now.

"It’s well established that they are considered offensive these days, yet goady fuckers still start wide-eyed posts asking about them to try and provoke a bun fight over racism."

SO well established that the toy stall in the covered market in Durham doesn't display these things for sale to contemporary children? I walked through that market and got an eyeful of a massive golli. Glad it's all sorted for you, DuchessThingy. .

OP, your colleague is thick and ignorant if she remotely thinks it is OK. And worse if having been questioned by you over it, doesn't instantly remove it and apologise. And send herself on a course.

Hector if you felt uncomfortable about your keyring when your black friend was over, HINT, your key ring was probably the cause. So yes, get rid of it.

OP I wasn’t having a dig
Or saying you were wrong to post
Not at all . Your colleague is and possibly malicious (or something very ignorant)

I was trying to explain initial reactions as people wrongly thought it was a troll as you were clearly taken aback

Would you believe that in 2018 people still defend them

Sadly

And OP I am ashamed that I never complained about it at my workplace

I hid the fuckers instead ( Black Peter sweets)

I should have said something and I will
Next time

It really shouldn’t fall to black people to be the ones to complain.

@goodnewstwo... Would you feel comfortable explaining to your colleague why these dolls carry negative connotations? If so, maybe a gentle chat with her, explaining why you are uncomfortable?
If that fails & she keeps it on display, raise it with your manager. If it’s still not removed then HR. As a previous poster suggested, if you’re in a union contact your rep to inform them asap, so it’s noted should it need to be taken further.

Sorry you’re finding yourself in this position.

The problem is that people just like you MN lot (white women) put these stupid dolls out.

Lumping all the ‘MN lot’ together really isn’t going to help. Several of the ‘MN lot’ have agreed with the OP’s point of view.

You get bonus points, OP, for actually being or pretending to be black and offended by one. That adds a twist to the usual story.

What the fuck did I just read? This thread is vile.

@InionEile maybe you only see it on mn because BLACK people like me are often scared in rl to say something for fear that they'll be labelled as having an unnecessary issue. Seriously, I don't want your sympathy.

Sorry, excuse my cynicism, GoodNews. The golliwog issue is just such a meme on here and unlike the other issues you mentioned upthread - DH not helping with housework, affairs etc - it is never something you see or hear about outside of MN.

Racism is certainly an everyday occurrence and we’re all aware of the horrible attitudes that some people persist in but golliwogs?!? Really?!

There are evidently some nasty pieces of work out on this thread though stuff was deleted by the time I saw it.
Yes there will still be workplaces where bigots claim not to know what's so offensive.
I hope you can approach your manager and get it resolved OP.

OP, I'm sorry for some of the horrible responses you've had on here and for your incredibly offensive colleague.
In my opinion it goes without saying that the doll is racist and totally inappropriate.
I'm shocked no one else in your office has complained too.
If your manager isn't around, I'd raise it with HR instead.
Hugs.

@Unfinishedkitchen

You deserve to be banned for that.

Report me 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Cough

... So, you read it and thought I meant 'you lot are all racist'. I actually said ...' people like you MN lot' (meaning intelligent, rational, modern, etc). When such a person has a Golliwog it fucks with the brain and you're unsure of how to act.

Interesting you read it that way.

Don't get why people who have such a problem with this issue being raised bother to comment on it. I see lots of stuff on here I can't be arsed with, but I just ignore it. It just makes you sound really bitter and sad.