GOLLIWOGS AND RACISM

" For the past four decades Europeans have debated whether the Golliwog is a lovable icon or a racist symbol. …

In this climate the Golliwog doll and other Golliwog emblems were seen as symbols of racial insensitivity. Many books containing Golliwogs were withdrawn from public libraries, and the manufacturing of Golliwog dolls dwindled as the demand for Golliwogs decreased. Many items with Golliwog images were destroyed. Despite much criticism, James Robertson & Sons did not discontinue its use of the Golliwog as a mascot. …

The claim that Golliwogs are racist is supported by literary depictions by writers such as Enid Blyton. Unlike Florence Upton's, Blyton's Golliwogs were often rude, mischievous, elfin villains. In Blyton's book, "Here Comes Noddy Again", a Golliwog asks the hero for help, then steals his car. … [ hahahahahahahaha … sorry, couldn’t help myself; generations ahead of her time. Does this make her a Prophet, may she rest in peace ... ?] … Blyton, one of the most prolific European writers, included the Golliwogs in many stories, but she only wrote three books primarily about Golliwogs: The Three Golliwogs (1944), The Proud Golliwog (1951), and The Golliwog Grumbled (1953). Her depictions of Golliwogs are, by contemporary standards, racially insensitive. An excerpt from The Three Golliwogs is illustrative:

‘Once the three bold Golliwogs, Golly, Woggie, and Nigger, decided to go for a walk to Bumble-Bee Common. Golly wasn't quite ready so Woggie and Nigger said they would start off without him, and Golly would catch them up as soon as he could. So off went Woggie and Nigger, arm-in-arm, singing merrily their favourite song - which, as you may guess, was Ten Little Nigger Boys.’

… The Three Golliwogs was reprinted as recently as 1968, and it still contained the above passage. Ten Little Niggers was also the name of a 1939 Agatha Christie novel, whose cover showed a Golliwog lynched, hanging from a noose. "

Why not go over and read it all:

http://www.golliwogg.co.uk/racism.htm

There are some more interesting pages on this site, including a shop, accessed via links on the L/H sidebar.

Morg

Note: Sometimes on the internet I use the name Taffiwog. No, I don’t think this is at all offensive. Is there such a thing as a Paddywog, or a Jockiwog? Are you all Wiggiwogs?

... I was only wondering is all.

Is it criminal to have a sense of humour these days, or is it only considered humour when you are a fully paid-up repulsively obese member of the politically correct brigade suggesting, in front of an audience of millions on the BBC, that people send "poo" through the post to BNP members?

At least we know who ate all the pies.
.