What was she thinking?! TW Racist Memorabilia

[CleaningWoes]

My partner's sister thought it appropriate to gift these to my 12 year old daughter for Christmas. What on earth was she thinking?? I'm horrified as is my partner. Our daughter had no clue what they were. I'm scared to even bin them in case they somehow fall out and up in the street. WTAF

Don't panic, just wrap them up and dispose.

Just wrap them up and bin them and avoid the racist knobs that gave them to your DD

I'd hand her them back.

Otherwise double black bag into the outside bin.

Wow, what's almost worse is someone thought it was ok to make and sell them

Out of nowhere? What on earth?

Could they have belonged to an elderly family member? Could be worth asking as there may be some reason behind this. Obv not saying it makes it in any way appropriate but I'd want to understand her reasoning

Eek that's awful.

Where in earth did they come from? Can you burn them?

Wtf was she thinking? Is she obviously racist normally?

I literally have no idea. The parents have been passed away for a number of years. Normally if she comes across something she has from them, photos etc, she would give to my partner. My friend's mum said these look like the Robinsons jam collectables from years ago. I remember you could collect the labels to get little pin badges but I don't remember these figurines. I was quite young at the time so maybe that was a thing. I'm not making excuses for his sister but part of me thinks she's actually downright clueless and just has no idea what she's done. Even with the racist connotations aside why would you even look at these things and think oh my niece would love those.

It's a collectable doll nothing more. Poor taste in some circles and not really a child gift. People (including Black) collect them and they can be valuable. Check before throwing away. Sell them to somebody with an interest and buy something suitable for your daughter with the money.

Could presents have been mixed up and that meant for somebody else?

I've just replied to another poster which answers some of your questions. As to whether she's normally racist, I've never had reason to think so. They live about 300 miles away from us so we rarely see them but I've never had cause for concern.

Give them back to her. They are collectors items and are part of the Robinson promo from the 70s

They absolutely shouldn't be collectable, and I doubt very much that black people collect them, given what they represent!

Don't sell them @CleaningWoes - throw them in the bin where they belong

Gift them to The Slave Museum, Liverpool. I had something similar and they were happy to take the offending items off my hands.

I wouldn't feel comfortable selling them to be honest. They are banned on Ebay for example.

Hand them back to your sister.

There are many reasons people may collect them. An interesting piece here:
journalofantiques.com/features/black-americana/

Why haven't you asked the giver?
I would text/WhatsApp them to ask what went through their mind.
Utterly bizarre

I'm black. I know and am related to a lot of black people. I can categorically say that the majority of black people do not collect or approve of these awful things. There will always be outliers, but it doesn't justify the caricaturing of an entire race of people. The racial slur 'wg' came from these dolls. Look up the Enid Blyton book 'The Three G***gs' and look at their names. If you do a bit of research you will soon learn that they are more than just collectible dolls. OP I would bin immediately.

It's my partner's sister. I don't have much to do with her at all unless she's visiting which is probably about one weekend every couple of years. He speaks to her maybe once every couple of months and he's a bit socially awkward so he's never going to bring it up. He also would not entertain returning them to her. The irony is it cost her over £7 in postage to send these monstrosities plus another couple of awful things that will never be used, though not racist. She would be better just sticking a fiver in a card for my daughter and being done with it. Or in fact better just doing nothing.

I think they are poor taste full stop not just in some circles. I wouldn't feel comfortable selling them, although I know some people still collect them it doesn't make them any less racist.

OP you are right to be appauled. However you (or your partner) do need to say something to his sister.

I can't imagine any of the black people I know having a collection of these either. They are truly awful things.

@CleaningWoes

Your partner needs to have a word then.
Family WhatsApp group, see what the rest of the family think?!
I would because it's such an inappropriate "gift"
Ppl are weird but this is extra

The Slavery Museum in Liverpool say they are accepting donations on their website which would be an excellent thing to do with them.

I will definitely not be selling them that's for sure.