Racist and Hateful? or Much Loved Toy

[imastawka]

Ebay have removed listings, worldwide, in the last couple of days

for Golliwog/Golly citing the 'hateful or discriminatory policy.'

Aunt Jemima dolls (mammy dolls)  have also gone

The weird part is, there was a sub-category in Dolls/Bears for Golliwogs

All things Golliwog have disappeared.

Books including ones by Enid Blyton have gone. 

It's ok to sell them, just don't put golliwog/golly in the title.

I have been informed that I need to be educated on the matter,

and have been given links to things like the Jim Crow Museum

 http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/golliwog/

My own opinion is, I love gollies.    I can see no relevance to them in Australia.

I think they are/were a much loved toy with no underlying racial tones.

A lot of people may be upset by the images, but I think Ebay has just made

them worth a lot more money on other sites.

I'm not looking for an argument, and you won't get one.

I would just like some more opinions.

It started on the Selling Boards

http://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Selling/Item-specific-Listing-Removed-Sick-Of-It/td-p/1834945

I would hope that opinions do not run too hot,  and turn into arguments.

[bromad01]

I had a Golliwog growing up and I loved her dearly. It had nothing to do with the colour of her "skin". I never thought of her in any other way other than a beautiful doll I loved. I so wish I still had her. I believe it really comes down to what's in people's hearts. If people look at the doll and think that it is racist because it has black "skin" that is just their opinion. Additionally owning a golliwog does not make the owner a racist. What would happen if an "African" person were to make a doll with light "skin"? would that then be classified as racist? 

[bromad01]

I disagree. I don't believe society has grown up at all, it's just . . . changed. I love golliwogs but I also understand that some people find them offensive and racist. You can still be compassionate and empathetic and love/own a golliwog. What about the "culturally inclusive" dolls that are being made now, with different skin tones, hair colours and styles, eye shapes etc? Are they too offensive and racist? Would it be considered racist if an "African" child/person owned a "European" doll? I believe it is really about what is in people's hearts that matters and how we treat each other.

[bromad01]

A golliwog is a "doll from another country"

[bromad01]

If an aboriginal paints a "cute" and "delightful" picture of a "European" is that also racial stereotyping? Or is it only racial stereotyping if a "European" paints the picture of the "cute" and "delightful" aborigines? 

[bromad01]

Thank you for your wisdom.

How right you are.

I love them all - golliwogs, gingerbread men and smurfs.

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.