Is this dress offensive?

[freezingpompoms]

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.

Cool I'll wear my Klan tshirt next time I come round for tea then, I've had it altered so you can still see the Swastika tattoo on my chest.....🙄

I think you've exhausted that line of argument now, Bpdqueen.

Totally agree

OP in a hurry so sorry if this has been said 10x before - buy a permanent textilemarker and make the offending eyes bigger.

If a username contained a word/phrase which a member of a minority group found offensive towards their group? Then yes, the person with the name should.

I've got "A whole new world" from Aladdin in my head!

Ear worm fail!

What nationalities does it depict then?

It’s cute but I would err on the side of caution.

my rule of thumb is if you’re not sure if it’s offensive then it probably is 😂

I'd think you were a dick but I wouldn't cry over it and demand you changed

What isn't offensive about those eyes? Explain it clearly to me.

Several people of East Asian heritage have said that they would find it offensive .
No erring needed

This is why I don't trust your judgement. Those are awful and unacceptable views that should not be tolerated.

The point is, the "oh I'm not offended" is a completely pointless argument. It just means that you don't find that particular thing offensive. It's not an actual defence or justification of anything. It's just wasted air/energy typing it.

But this whole cancel culture isn't just about minority groups everyone seems to look for things to get offended over it seems to be anything and everything

@SueResnes @Passthechocolatesplease @Sally090807 Yet East Asian people and parents of East Asian kids are saying that they don’t feel comfortable with this. Why do they have to keep putting up with stereotypes and racism because people don’t bother to listen, or learn? It’s not people being offended by nonsense. It’s people being offended because the racial abuse they get is often related to the size of shape of their eyes.

That shouldn’t even be something I have to explain..

I suspect many people would find the entire ride offensive. I’ve never been on drugs, but with the song and colours it might be a bit like it. But we go on it every time..

@BewareTheLibrarians totally agree with your post, your explanation is extremely clear and specific, thank you for sharing you and your children's experiences. I'm sorry they have been on the receiving end of racist bullying.

Other people's lives are none of my business

The only thing I’d find offensive is the eyes and I wouldn’t allow my DD to wear it.

I personally would keep it though if you have the space, as I do think looking back in 5/10 years people will be horrified that it was ever made.
You’ll also remember making this thread and it will remind you of this time.

Have you read through the whole thread?

Where people have explained why they are offended by the depictions of characters supposedly representing their race?

Do you really think those people are 'looking for offence'? Or did you just not read through the thread yet?

You weren't asked if you were offended by the dress. The OP asked if the dress is offensive.

I think society would do well to stop using the word 'offensive' at all.

It's not offensive, it's racist.

The problem is not that someone might be offended, the problem is that it reduces entire racial communities to dangerous stereotypes that undermine social and cultural histories and reinforce unjust hierarchies of power.

Let's call things what they are.

I will confess I said I thought it was cute earlier in the thread - but tbh I hadn't noticed the eyes (the picture is small on my phone) - I just saw traditional style clothes.
Now I am not too sure....

And my response to the post was when did everyone get so soft

For gods sake!!!! Seriously

OP why not do as others have suggested and use a sharpie to put dots under the lines so it looks like the others? Job done.

Its a very cute dress and would be a shame to not use it.