Discussion
I was talking to work colleagues the other day about the little fella on the marmalade jars. I remembered as kids we referred to him as a gollywog. In my mind, that described the character, rather than being derogatory towards colour. I've never really thought about it that way.
Anyhoo, a colleague takes offence and accuses me of being racist and I get hauled into the managers office where I am asked to explain my comments.
I pointed out the context of the discussion and how what I believed he was called. I was let off with an informal warning to be more careful around more 'senstivie' souls.
Now, my question is as I still don't understand. Does Gollywog refer to that particular character on the jar, or is it a general derogatory term. I admit to being naive here as I've never ever been called a racist before and was pretty staggered that someone that barely knows me would make that judgement.
Tried reading about it on the web, but as per usual on all things web, there is conflicting information.
Anyhoo, a colleague takes offence and accuses me of being racist and I get hauled into the managers office where I am asked to explain my comments.
I pointed out the context of the discussion and how what I believed he was called. I was let off with an informal warning to be more careful around more 'senstivie' souls.
Now, my question is as I still don't understand. Does Gollywog refer to that particular character on the jar, or is it a general derogatory term. I admit to being naive here as I've never ever been called a racist before and was pretty staggered that someone that barely knows me would make that judgement.
Tried reading about it on the web, but as per usual on all things web, there is conflicting information.
They are called Gollys nowadays.
The offensive bit was removed when PC arrived.
Personally they will always be Gollywogs and to me have nothing whatsoever to do with a persons skin colour but that is probably what they are supposed to represent.
I had one as a kid which had big pearl coloured buttons for eyes. It used to scare the s
te out of me and I never liked it really.
The offensive bit was removed when PC arrived.
Personally they will always be Gollywogs and to me have nothing whatsoever to do with a persons skin colour but that is probably what they are supposed to represent.
I had one as a kid which had big pearl coloured buttons for eyes. It used to scare the s
te out of me and I never liked it really.
I'm with you on this one. When I was a kid you could get little gollywog badges and other bits and pieces if you collected enough Robinsons jam tokens. It never crossed my mind at the time that there was any derogatory racial associations to the character.
But... time's moved on and for whatever reason that character has become unacceptable and one has to be cautious about even mentioning the word 'gollywog' for fear of upsetting someone regardless of the context of it's use.
No doubt we'll be accused of being racist just for this thread!
But... time's moved on and for whatever reason that character has become unacceptable and one has to be cautious about even mentioning the word 'gollywog' for fear of upsetting someone regardless of the context of it's use.
No doubt we'll be accused of being racist just for this thread!
wormus said:
It's not really appropriate and there's a reason it was removed from the jars a long time ago. There was also a furniture polish called " Brown" but it no longer exists for the same reason. Doesn't make you racist, just naive.
It's not racist one bit nor does it make you naive! Brown" but it no longer exists for the same reason. Doesn't make you racist, just naive.Edited by wormus on Monday 23 December 20:05
It's just a sign how bad this country is becoming. It's pathetic and quite sad really!
jimbop1 said:
wormus said:
It's not really appropriate and there's a reason it was removed from the jars a long time ago. There was also a furniture polish called " Brown" but it no longer exists for the same reason. Doesn't make you racist, just naive.
It's not racist one bit nor does it make you naive! Brown" but it no longer exists for the same reason. Doesn't make you racist, just naive.Edited by wormus on Monday 23 December 20:05
It's just a sign how bad this country is becoming. It's pathetic and quite sad really!
No you are not being racist. Just an over sensitive soul you've upset.
The little fella on the marmalade jars was always referred to as a Gollywog. When I was growing up, my Nana knitted me what she called Gollywog and I treasure it.
It was never meant has offensive or racist however you need to tread very carefully in todays PC gone mad world.
Fact is Gollywogs are part of human history, nothing will change that.
The little fella on the marmalade jars was always referred to as a Gollywog. When I was growing up, my Nana knitted me what she called Gollywog and I treasure it.
It was never meant has offensive or racist however you need to tread very carefully in todays PC gone mad world.
Fact is Gollywogs are part of human history, nothing will change that.
These people who take offence need to look up the word "pejorative" in the dictionary and understand it.
Simply saying a word does not make it racist AT ALL. What DOES makes it racist is the INTENT of the person using the word. If it's used to deliberately insult someone or to refer to someone in a negative way, then yes, that is racism.
Simply saying a word does not make it racist AT ALL. What DOES makes it racist is the INTENT of the person using the word. If it's used to deliberately insult someone or to refer to someone in a negative way, then yes, that is racism.
As a kid, I just thought it was a character name, I certainly didn't pick up on the colour of said character snd the reference to "wog"
And you got a warning, I'd have refused to accept the warning.
I can't stand the "N" word, find it a very derogatory term, and always find it odd that so many rappers use it so freely or am I missing something?
And you got a warning, I'd have refused to accept the warning.
I can't stand the "N" word, find it a very derogatory term, and always find it odd that so many rappers use it so freely or am I missing something?
You are absolutely not being racist in any way, that's ridiculous. Anyone pulling the racist card on you is not 'sensitive' at all, they're just looking for an excuse to make you look bad and make them feel oppressed - and that's very poor form in a social situation in an office if you ask me. If you call someone a GW or a W, then of course, that's racist, but the little guy on the jam jars was called a GW - that's the name of the toy! Now it's a racist toy from a bygone era, for sure, but it's not racist to identify it - racism is a form of hatred and so therefore requires a person to be a victim. To be honest you weren't even calling the toy a GW, you were identifying it as 'GW', the fictional jam jar character.
Edited by RobM77 on Monday 23 December 20:23
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