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AIBU?

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Original poster

Golliwogs...

544 replies

GoodNewsTwo · 03/09/2018 17:44

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?

OP posts:
Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 03/09/2018 20:37

Well said @CrabbyPatty

Havaina · 03/09/2018 20:37

Based on previous threads about Golliwogs, I agree with a pp who said there is a fake innocence about having these dolls.

OP, who was she responding to when she said 'she's always liked them and that she doesn't see an issue'?

CoughLaughFart · 03/09/2018 20:39

Interesting you read it that way.

I think it’s pretty obvious it could be read exactly that way.

immortalmarble · 03/09/2018 20:39

It’s called racism Crabby, if it helps Confused

NotUmbongoUnchained · 03/09/2018 20:41

Some utter cunts on this thread!

I started a thread about Golly’s a Few months ago OP, as I was genuinely shocked at seeing one. I had no idea hey were still being sold. Some bellends in that thread too!

InionEile · 03/09/2018 20:42

Fair enough, it could be that the golliwog issue is such a major taboo that nobody I know in real life would ever mention it to me. Seems strange though that MN would be the destination of choice for every person who is struggling with a golliwog issue in their lives to come here to vent about.

JacquesHammer · 03/09/2018 20:42

Some of the responses on this thread are fucking revolting.

OP I’m so sorry. You are of course NBU. If she’s refused to remove it when you’ve asked politely then you must escalate.

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 03/09/2018 20:45

Oh here we go. These threads always go so well. Hmm

For what it's worth I dont find them offensive, I just see them as another exaggerated looking rag doll like those cabbage patch ones, now those are terrifying, but they're not really appropriate to have at work. They do have a very controversial history and it's just asking to upset someone.

JayDot500 · 03/09/2018 20:45

Also @Cough in the workplace (anecdotally) it's usually white women who do things like this, that was why I wrote 'white women' in brackets.

A team member who manages a team of mostly black people bought some chocolate back from Spain. She's a bit of a health freak and she bought dark chocolate. So anyone who has seen this sort of chocolate in Spain knows where I'm going with this.

I literally had to hold people down and stop them from contributing her. I had to play it down because imo it was a stupid, ignorant, mistake. She got off lucky, so many people were offended and I sat there for a good while hearing their views. They unanimously thought she was trying to be humorous. Maybe she was? I work closely with her, and even though I played it down, I have to wonder if it was some cruel joke.

Havaina · 03/09/2018 20:45

@HectorlovesKiki

Of course you should throw way your racist Gollywog key chain you daft bint. The fact that you hide it from your black friends should have given you a hint.

JayDot500 · 03/09/2018 20:48

@CoughLaughFart

Oh it's obvious is it? So basically I'm now the lady with the Golliwog who actually didn't intend offence but it was taken.

Things getting switched up nicely.

Havaina · 03/09/2018 20:49

@JayDot500

I literally had to hold people down and stop them from contributing her. I had to play it down because imo it was a stupid, ignorant, mistake. She got off lucky, so many people were offended and I sat there for a good while hearing their views. They unanimously thought she was trying to be humorous. Maybe she was? I work closely with her, and even though I played it down, I have to wonder if it was some cruel joke.

Wtaf?! Black people aren't offended by being given dark chocolate ConfusedHmm

Did you dream this?

ShirleyPhallus · 03/09/2018 20:50

Black people aren't offended by being given dark chocolate

Dark chocolate translates from chocolate negro in Spanish. I assume this is what that poster was referring to.

JayDot500 · 03/09/2018 20:51

Yes @ShirleyPhallus

RomanyRoots · 03/09/2018 20:51

Our market sells golliwog products, cups, magnets, keyrings, tea towels etc. it's a popular stall.
I have them from my childhood as we collected them from the jam jars. They weren't considered racist back then.
Hoping to sell mine and give the money to the kids, not sure if they're worth anything.

Havaina · 03/09/2018 20:56

Oh I see. I suppose if the chocolate box said 'chocolate negro' that is quite bad.

I speak some Spanish and negro/negra just means black to me in a Spanish context but I can see in an English language context it could be quite offensive.

Havaina · 03/09/2018 20:58

RomanyRoots

Let's also call gypsies 'gyppos' shall we? After all that word wasn't considered offensive once upon a time.

MyLearnedFriend · 03/09/2018 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redexpat · 03/09/2018 21:02

This thread is an eyeopener. The collective gaslighting happening on here is astonishing. Although pleased to see lots of reasonable people saying report to your line manager. I think Im finally going to download why im no longer talking to white people about race.

RomanyRoots · 03/09/2018 21:04

havaina

you must be very old if you can remember when gypo was offensive to some travellers.
it was around the 16th century Grin

besides, you seem to think I support the sale, I just commented they were still available and explained how I had come by my figures.

MyLearnedFriend · 03/09/2018 21:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 03/09/2018 21:06

These threads never end well
Ever

Sorry OP

Benjaminbuttonschild · 03/09/2018 21:06

Complete dickheads on this thread tonight.

For those who are cynical of the OP either a) report her or b) ignore/hide this thread entirely. It's not hard is it?

I believe OP, I've never seen a golliwog thread on MN before using it for years.

Fredkites · 03/09/2018 21:06

All of you who say "This must be trolling because I'VE never seen a golliwog or anyone who would display one" - you are just as bad as the dickheads who say "I don't believe in all this catcalling in the street, it's never happened to me, women must be making it up."

There's posts on here saying that they are sold in lots of different specific outlets. So you haven't seen them? Lucky you. Or you didn't notice, because you didn't have to, because of your privilege.

There are evidently plenty of people who can't handle the cognitive dissonance of loving gollies as a child, later realising they are racist and suddenly having to review their perception of themselves (But I'm a GOOD person!!). Their solution to this uncomfortable psychodrama is to pretend gollies aren't racist after all, and everyone except them is wrong for overreacting. Everyone happy except "the politically correct minority taking offence and spoiling it for everyone else".

It's really transparent how it happens. I've never seen it in real life! but I can listen when I'm told.

I believe you OP. Go to HR - I'd really hope other colleagues would be allies and make the point themselves, too.

MyLearnedFriend · 03/09/2018 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.