Gollywogs are IN

[callistra]

Golliwogs are everywhere!

The problem is, I want to buy one!

When I was a little girl, the only characters I liked in the Enid Blyton books were the Golliwog triplets. I thought they were so cool! I think I liked them because they wanted the same thing I wanted - a home with a cottage and flowers and a pretty fence... and because they went out and they got it! They had a sense of humour and they had fun!

Now, I think it's racially unwise for me to purchase a Golliwog. If I were Black, I would buy one as a giggle and a joke. But since I am Mrs Whitey McWhitebread, I don't think this is a good idea, and I'm a bit uncomfortable that they're sold at all.

If they are made in an African country, or the proceeds went to people in need of help, would it still be insensitive to purchase one? (I didn't actually look, I'm just wondering.)

What are your thoughts?

Comments

[bardiegrub.livejournal.com]

I have one but it was given to me by my black gf (who thought it resembled her) so I don't feel guilty about it.

[huckle.livejournal.com]

Isn't 'being ironic' a get out of jail free card? Can you buy one and tell everyone that its cool because you get it but are 'being ironic'?

[discordia13.livejournal.com]

Yes, buy one and enjoy the memories of your childhood.

The thing that drives me crazy is that people read into books, or nursery rhymes the most amazing amount of crap! It says more about them and their hangups than what they are trying to do to make the world a better place.

If we boycott Golliwogs, and the obviously gay Noddy and Bigears, we also need to ban Ernie and Bert, Fatcat, Percy and Humphrey, toy guns and cowboy outfits, bows and arrows, hell - have you _seen_ Wiggles slash? Those guys are NASTY! Where the hell do we stop?

Adults deliberately write in so much stupid meaning and spitefully corrupt the purity of other people's childhood. I say fuck em. Buy those toys. Their meaning to you is pretty much what the author intended and that is the best reason to do it.

[alias_sqbr]

I am Very Sleepy, but some vague thoughts:

I don't think there's anything wrong with you for liking the toy/character.

Unfortunately I think pretty much all golliwogs for sale are at best insensitive and at worst deliberately racist, since they were designed as a deliberate racist caricature. So buying your average golliwog would definitely be supporting something bad. Of course, many of the things we buy support racism etc, so you have to weigh up the costs and balances. Whether or not it's possible to buy one which also has a positive effect..I don't know.

A brief google for "black cloth doll" or "african american cloth doll" got lots of hits of dolls that don't look like racist caricatures to me (though they all seem to be made by white people which..hmm), though part of me feel a bit hinky at the idea of buying one as a golliwog, if that makes any sense.

EDIT: I'm looking at black Raggedy Ann dolls and being utterly unable to decide if they're ok or not. But I'd say they're definitely a step up: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16280584

This seller is African American: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29885822

[callistra.livejournal.com]

That was interesting until I got to this bit:

Item ships from: United States
ship to: cost: with another item:
United States $9.00 USD $9.00 USD
Canada $12.00 USD $12.00 USD
Everywhere Else $1,500.00 USD $15.00 USD

LOL
I think it's a typo though, the other one is not that expensive!

[alias_sqbr]

Hah, yeah, I had just noticed that myself, oops :D

[creativemeans.livejournal.com]

Just buy it. They were my favourites too. I identified with them the most cause they were girls!

[emma-in-oz.livejournal.com]

Pearl has two dollies and both are black. One came from Creative Native which has ABoriginal-made toys. It looks like a little Aboriginal girl. She also has a soft doll which came from Community Aid Abroad - I got one and a child in Africa got one when I bought it.