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

Have you asked any Polynesians?

I see a Morris group from Ledbury have switched their facepaint from black to green ... presumably with the intention of offending the Irish?

Reminds me of this guy (watch to the end)

So, people who bring back local artifacts from their travels aren't allowed to display them in case they are accused of cultural appropriation? Figures of Buddhas, Vishnu, Shiva, Greek gods etc?

I won't be buying one. And not that bothered but it could be interpreted as offensive to some.

I haven't been for a couple of years but at the Rochester sweeps festival they used to black up for obvious reasons .

Ah that's the opposite of what I'm saying, a local traditional artefact of a Buddha from a Buddhist country is the "real deal", whereas this soap dispenser from Wilko (for example) is just using the image of Buddha for aesthetics and decor. This isn't a great example because soap dispensers aren't a traditional craft. But hopefully I'm explaining my point a little bit - very tired today!

OP, I am also shocked at this. I jus5 don't know how nobody somewhere along the chain didn't react to stop the product from making it to the shelves.

Funny you should say that....

The Asda gnomes caught my eye a while ago.

OP, Asda have a range of French gnomes - they are wearing stripey Breton tops, red berets, one has a french poodle on a lead, and another is carrying a baquette.

Would you say they are also racist?

The issue I often have with cultural misappropriation is that some people will get offended if, for example, a white person styles themselves with cornrows, a hairstyle traditionally used for Afro hair.

However, these same people would get offended by people portraying black people as wearing cornrows as they say (as you're saying here) that's it's stereotyping.

So, how can both be true? Do we have to just ignore cornrows then, and pretend they don't exist? If white people can't wear them, but we also can't portray black people as wearing them for fear of being called racist.

It's a simplistic example, but I'm sure you can see my point.

As an aside, I am mixed race, and the black side of my family / black friends never give this much thought. Often the people claiming misappropriation are not the ethnicity in question.

I was going to say it’s as bad a golly toy.

Don’t live anywhere near these stores but I’d be shocked to see that for sale anywhere in 2024.

I personally think it’s awful but since I am white British I would rather listen to somebody from Polynesian culture. If they were offended I would understand why. I don’t think it’s my position to judge iyswim.

Get a grip

Honestly, I don't know whether it is racist or not as I don't know enough about Polynesian culture, despite having been there. I think that assuming it to be racist because of parallels with Africans/Gollywogs etc would be putting two different races into the same basket. I think that only Polynesians would really be able to say (and I expect that there would be mixed opinions there too).

Well I'm one and this isn't racist.

Absolutely!

But you forgot to add that the offence was vicarious and on behalf of other people whose culture the OP is ignorant of.

I always wonder who buys the gnomes Asda sells!

That would be my friend's daughter.

Aged 3, en-route to the toy store to spend her birthday money they stopped at Asda for a sandwich or something or other. Gnomes at the entrance to the store.

"I want him Mummy." Solemnly pointing at a gnome the same size as her.

"Ahhhh not today luvvie, c'mon hurry up, we've got to get to the toy shop!"

"No. I want HIM mummy."

"Mummy doesn't have enough pennies sweetheart, c'mon off we go!"

"I have pennies. I have birfdy money. I want him mummy."

"Yes, but you won't have any birthday money left for toys, darlin, so off we go!"

"I don't want any toys, mummy. I just want him. He's all I want."

"You want THIS giant gnome, Nova? From your BIRTHDAY money?"

"Yes, Mummy. I love him. I really, really love him." Intense. Serious. Furrowed brow, pouty lip. It could kick off any second.

Friend exits Asda with "George" in the trolley and a very happy 3 year old. Why is he called, George, Nova? "Because he's George at Asda OBVIOUSLY!"

Less than a month later, Nova is sadly staring at George who now resides in the garden through the raindrop streaked french doors.

"George is lonely, mummy. He misses his wife."

"I'm sure he's fine, Nova."

"No. He misses Georgina."

"I think you're just making that up, sweetie, good imagination though!"

"NO mummy. There was a LADY gnome at Asda. Next to George! We HAVE to go back for her!"

Now my friend had to go to Asda, in torrential rain, with a toddler, this time leaving with another giant gnome happily sitting beside her in the back of the car.

And this escalated, for years. They wanted a child. And a dog. And GRANDPA Gnome. Santa Gnome. Naughty Gnome (the one with his bum out) Every time I went round for coffee my friend would stare at them all lined up grinning at her in the garden and she'd say "I hate those fucking gnomes'".

They mysteriously disappeared during a house move. "Must have got lost on the way to the new house, Nova." Which just so happens to be very far away from Asda.

They had some tiki plant pots in the summer that were from the same range but nicer.

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.

ALL tiki's have big eyes and exaggerated mouths - they ALL look animalistic / mythical / non human.

That would be because they are mythical. If they are racist then it was the Maori / Polynesions who made them "racist".

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiki

Oh for heaven's sake, it's not supposed to be a human being! It's certainly not supposed to be a Polynesian person. It's a cheap plastic riff on tikki masks and decorations as garden tat. It's tacky, it's tasteless but it isn't racist.

It doesn't show appreciation for Polynesian culture and folklore, but neither do all the buddha ornaments respect the belief and traditions of Buddhism.

If we started on the number of things culturally appropriated for cheap western gewgaws we could start with dreamcatchers and work our way through.

Are you Polynesian?

If not then the offense is not yours to have so stop telling others how to feel.

Honestly, I can tell you I'm sick to the back teeth of able people correcting me and telling me how I should feel about my disabilities. Women hate men correcting them on women issues and I can guarantee in the same vein different cultures really don't need British usually middle class white mumsnetters to bat for them on 'racism' either.

The loudest voices are usually the least aware/informed.

Now if someone from a culture says they find it mocking/appropriation thats different and supporting their voice being heard is fine but someone making up offense in their own head then causing huge drama over something thats not their place to speak on takes away those cultures voices and is ignorant/tedious at best and actually racist in itself.

Agreed. I can’t believe people still think this is okay in 2024. Sigh.

@GardenNope How are these very different?

Also how many Polynesians go shopping in our local Wilkos too care 😅

Honestly there are loads of places that sell them and the native products many sell too tourists are just alike. Get a grip the woke culture your gripping so tightly to has started to fade and quite rightly so.
Also is it okay to sell caricature statues of white people, just asking?

It’s hideous, yes. Racist? No. I think people who think it’s racist are the ones being racist.

Why wouldn't Polynesians go shopping in their local wilkos!?

Really? You are both non polynesian and ignorant about the imagery/cultural context but you have decided to take offence at it on behalf of the culture about which you know nothing?