Point taken. I actually just meant your response of bad reviews was a bit over the top, sorry for not making that clear.
Obviously the owner/manager of the store didn't think much of the toy, but as you've made your feelings known, hopefully they will wise up and change their display.
I really hope you don't go around leaving bad reviews about the shop, especially if it is a private, family run business. With this toy, they made an error, but it's no reason to basically bad mouth them. Private business should be encouraged, especially in Australia.
I'm torn over this. On one hand, I understand why golliwogs are offensive; on the other, I also think they're damn cute and I kinda like them. But on the first hand, the shop having them up was probably a bad move, considering the connotations; but back to the second hand, are you sure this is the correct comm to put this in? It doesn't seem like bad_service for them to have these dolls up. Race!fail? yes.. bad_service? I don't think so.
There was no book matching it. I'm looking at the photo I took of it on my phone and seems to be just there propping up random adults and children's books.
Hm, interesting that it seems related to the infamous 'blackface' from the mid 19th century. It also seems related to Zwarte Peit, as well as this original "Golliwogg" character created in a children's book.
Agree with another commenter, both you and the shop owner are right - it's both racist, and not.
I'm not that commenter, but some things are subjective, including racism. What one person finds to be gravely racist, another will see only as cultural or even as simply unintentional. In general, anything that has the potential to offend will offend or not offend on a personal spectrum.
As an example, I recently saw a Youtube video featuring a survivor of Auschwitz dancing with his children and grandchildren at various concentration camps, to the tune of "I Will Survive". There were many reactions to it -- some people felt like it was a very positive, affirming experience that celebrated the joy of life and the determination that overcame that awful place. Others felt it was offensive and disgusting. They were dancing literally on the graves of those who died in the camps and did not escape.
Both points of view are valid. It is both offensive and not offensive.
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Obviously the owner/manager of the store didn't think much of the toy, but as you've made your feelings known, hopefully they will wise up and change their display.
I really hope you don't go around leaving bad reviews about the shop, especially if it is a private, family run business. With this toy, they made an error, but it's no reason to basically bad mouth them. Private business should be encouraged, especially in Australia.
May I ask the context of the display?
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There was no context to the display as far as I can tell. They were just stuck randomly among various children's and adults books.
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So I think it's appropriate. Definite WTF for me.
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it was a bit strange to see that.
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And that person told me that fadexintoyou.livejournal.com/ made it
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Agree with another commenter, both you and the shop owner are right - it's both racist, and not.
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Not being sarcastic by the way.
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As an example, I recently saw a Youtube video featuring a survivor of Auschwitz dancing with his children and grandchildren at various concentration camps, to the tune of "I Will Survive". There were many reactions to it -- some people felt like it was a very positive, affirming experience that celebrated the joy of life and the determination that overcame that awful place. Others felt it was offensive and disgusting. They were dancing literally on the graves of those who died in the camps and did not escape.
Both points of view are valid. It is both offensive and not offensive.
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