To think this product at The Range/Wilko is just plain racist?

[GardenNope]

I've been complaining about this range of products since I saw them in my local store a few weeks ago.

I keep getting fobbed off with no response, or 'we aim to provide products for all tastes'.

This just seems to me like a blatant racist stereotype of Polynesian culture. But the company doesn't seem to agree at all. Am I losing my mind here because it seems very blatantly wrong to me?

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/single-solar-tiki-water-sports-ornament-in-assorted-styles/p/8087004

Yes it's pretty vile. I think it should be withdrawn from sale.

Oh dear op.... you've had your arse handed to you on a plate! Not the thread you hoped for!

It's a typical American cartoonish interpretation of Polynesian/tiki culture. I don't necessarily think it's racist, but I also don't feel super comfortable seeing these kinds of ornaments.

Pop them a quick email then

Tiki's aren't depictions of people though!

Personnally, I think it is gross on so many levels, but racist - no.

(Goes and hides wooden carved Tiki from New Zealand in case the OP pops in for coffee...)

Other than the being brown, this is similar to Irish leprechaun themed tat available all over the place. Is that racist too OP?

There's a veritable feast of options throughout the year (Halloween, Christmas) for the professional offence taker. The OP gets extra kudos for a lesser spotted summer opportunity (the garden Tiki beach bar).

We're turning into a nation of killjoys 😕 I was watching re-runs of Still Game recently, and pondering when the busybodies will render it ageist.

Is it any wonder we have the Karen/Kevin style stereotypes? OP proving the point perfectly that stereotypes tend to be based on truth!

Have a day off

Don’t know if the other posters have looked at all these photos. Fairly racist if you ask me, big light up eyes and a laughing face that looks animalistic/mythical creature/non human.

I’m no Polynesian or racism expert and don’t know have any any racist imagery expertise/contexf for this ornament. However, as a casual observer I personally agree with it’s very racist and share your shock that this is being sold in 2024. The ornament is de humanising and a stereotype of a race, the large eyes and laughing Bafoon expression make the character resemble historical anti black racism imagery and caricatures from America. Many of these images aimed to poke fun and depict stereotypes and characteristics such as laziness, and being beneath white people.

@RedToothBrush has it! OP is the buyer from The Range who bought a container load of these from China last spring, and they haven't sold, so now she's using the pile of mn to get rid of them to make room for Xmas stock with out having to discount the price.

Are you Polynesian OP?

head desk Lots of PP have already confirmed that it's a representation of a god, not a person. Of course it looks 'non human'!

It’s not supposed to look human as it is not.

That's what I thought!

Oof, that doesn't feel appropriate for the times, I agree.

@Lavenderfarmcottage please can you just go and Google tiki mask.

Imagine being so white and privileged that you have the time to get offended by everything

The oogabooga mask!

Your ignorance of Polynesian culture while doing your absolute best to be offended is hilarious. Please keep it up 😅

What does is this racist even mean, the word is quickly banned around today. Yabu.
Think about what you really mean.

@GardenNope I don’t see it as racist. Would I buy it? No, not because of racism, but because it is pretty ugly. I also don’t get the golliwog vibe, it’s nothing like a golliwog.

If you are looking to complain about golliwogs etc., take a look on Amazon, if you haven’t already.

There is always going to be people who have nothing better to do than constantly ride round on their high hoss

The word “Morris” is derived from “Moorish” so I don’t find the soot explanation very convincing. Reminds me of Dutch friend’s daughter telling me that Zwarte Piet had a black face becomes he comes down the chimney, and then showed me a picture of her local parade and all the Zwarte Piets were wearing Afro wigs and Jamaican football shirts.

Wtf I agree with you

Which part of the country is this?
This ornament is hideous but it's not racist.
If people don't like it they won't buy it. I don't like it but not because i think it's racist. It's just ugly