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Original poster

Is this dress offensive?

423 replies

freezingpompoms · 20/01/2023 14:58

This dress was bought in America 20 years ago. It's a Disney Small World dress that depicts differing nationalities. It's age 2-3.

Someone said they didn't think it's very PC so I just want to check. I'm happy to be told either way.

Is this dress offensive?
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Cheesetoastiesz · 20/01/2023 16:54

freezingpompoms · 20/01/2023 16:52

The question now is 'what do I do with the dress?'

what do you do with old clothes normally?

Baconand · 20/01/2023 16:54

I'm quite hard to offend and pretty laid back about this sort of thing but I don't think I'd put DD in it actually and wouldn't buy it.
I'm not exactly offended but I can see it might cause offence and so I'd not want to use it.

CandlelightGlow · 20/01/2023 16:55

Stripperyone · 20/01/2023 16:53

I don't think it is. I think It's depicting diversity which is a good thing. However I am aware many people won't see it that way, and for that reason I'd feel uncomfortable with a child in my care wearing it

Depicting diversity is good but portraying different ethnicities through the eyes of white centric racial stereotypes is not. It doesn't have to be either/or, you can represent without being offensive. That is encouraged.

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FineHairHatesDamp · 20/01/2023 16:55

I would put my child in it, but It’s A Small World is one of my favourite rides at Disney.

snowlolo · 20/01/2023 16:55

Colderthanever · 20/01/2023 16:04

People actively look to be offended now. They really do. Intent and context is now ignored, if they can find a reason they will be offended.

the hat wouldn’t have me giving a second look, it’s not supposed to be some culturally accurate document.

An East Asian person has literally come on here and said that they would be upset by it.

I'm sure this wasn't manufactured to be offensive, but as PP have said, it's definitely 'of its time'.

I would cringe inwardly if I saw a kid wearing it and would certainly think the parents lacked cultural awareness/ sensitivity.

NameChange005 · 20/01/2023 16:55

I think I wouldn't.
The only people who can say if it is offensive are those front he cultures depicted. And they have said they do.
Wear it indoors, but I wouldn't wear it out.

Peasepuddingbloodycold · 20/01/2023 16:56

I would put my child in it, Even when people have explained that the representation of their ethnicity is problematic, and why?

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 16:56

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 20/01/2023 16:47

I think the Japanese child looks like a caricature, so might be offensive to someone of that heritage - I say 'might' as I'm not of that heritage, but I'd probably avoid giving it to a child to wear, to be safe.

Exactly.
I am white so I don’t get to decide whether Japanese people etc feel is offensive.
I am uncomfortable with those images and wouldn’t put my child in that dress anyway but the fact that several posters have said as a person of East Asian Heritage have said it’s offensive confirms it

Bpdqueen · 20/01/2023 16:58

When did everyone get so soft 🙄

Original poster
freezingpompoms · 20/01/2023 16:59

@Cheesetoastiesz sell on Vinted tbh, pass on to friend, charity shop or bin of raggy.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 16:59

happyinherts · 20/01/2023 16:19

.... Not hearing logical arguments. The embroidery third along is that of a Geisha girl. That is how they are depicted. How can anyone find it offensive - it's a dress for a 2 year old. Sad that it attracts so much negativity.

It’s not a “Geisha girl” ( which isn’t actually a thing anyway).
The fact you think it is shows exactly how qualified you are to have a valid opinion on the subject

FineHairHatesDamp · 20/01/2023 16:59

freezingpompoms · 20/01/2023 16:52

The question now is 'what do I do with the dress?'

I’d buy it if you’re selling.

Doyoumind · 20/01/2023 17:00

It's not OK. I don't know why people are rushing to say it's fine and it's cute. Those eyes are not fine.

needthiswilderness · 20/01/2023 17:00

Omfg at the white people on here thinking they know better than POC about what is and is not racist. You are literally being massively racist RIGHT NOW. Excuse me if I don’t trust your judgement. Sort yourselves out!!

CandlelightGlow · 20/01/2023 17:00

If you're not going to use a garment for the sole reason that it's racist I wouldn't pass it on for someone else to wear fgs..

Cheesetoastiesz · 20/01/2023 17:01

Doyoumind · 20/01/2023 17:00

It's not OK. I don't know why people are rushing to say it's fine and it's cute. Those eyes are not fine.

Because they’re racist

Calphurnia88 · 20/01/2023 17:01

Stripperyone · 20/01/2023 16:53

I don't think it is. I think It's depicting diversity which is a good thing. However I am aware many people won't see it that way, and for that reason I'd feel uncomfortable with a child in my care wearing it

There's depicting diversity, then there's depicting racial stereotypes. This falls into the latter.

I think the fact you wouldn't want a child in your care to wear it (I wouldn't either) speaks volumes.

If you think something might be offensive, chances are it probably is.

Cheesetoastiesz · 20/01/2023 17:01

Bpdqueen · 20/01/2023 16:58

When did everyone get so soft 🙄

When did everyone start to give a shit about not being offensive?

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2023 17:01

Bpdqueen · 20/01/2023 16:58

When did everyone get so soft 🙄

Fucking Hell.
Toughen up people, stop being upset by racism

hatonacat · 20/01/2023 17:03

You’d probably get quite a lot of money for it.

Now I’ve got the song in my head..

Doyoumind · 20/01/2023 17:03

CandlelightGlow · 20/01/2023 17:00

If you're not going to use a garment for the sole reason that it's racist I wouldn't pass it on for someone else to wear fgs..

Are you being sarcastic? I can't tell. Are you actually saying people should consider wearing racist clothing?

eatdrinkandbemerry · 20/01/2023 17:04

I wouldn't have given it a second thought 🤷‍♀️.
I wouldn't put my daughter in it but only because it's not the style I'd buy

Bpdqueen · 20/01/2023 17:04

Cheesetoastiesz · 20/01/2023 17:01

When did everyone start to give a shit about not being offensive?

Show quote history

I don't think iv ever been offended by somebody's clothing. What others wear is none of my business and I would never dictate what someone can and can't wear

GlassBunion · 20/01/2023 17:05

I wouldn't put my child in it.

Doyoumind · 20/01/2023 17:08

Bpdqueen · 20/01/2023 17:04

I don't think iv ever been offended by somebody's clothing. What others wear is none of my business and I would never dictate what someone can and can't wear

Show quote history

There's nothing anyone could wear that would make you raise an eyebrow? If that's true, I'm not sure it's something to be proud of.