By golly! Eskimo debate moves on to gollywogs
Hot on the tail of the Eskimo lolly debate is one even more contentious.
An African American living in Auckland has complained about seeing golliwogs in local shops.
Desmond Jefferson says golliwogs show an even more offensive depiction of black people than do the lollies of Eskimos.
Speaking to TV3’s Sunrise this morning, Mr Jefferson said “I don’t want to offend anyone in New Zealand as I know a lot of people are very fond of the gollywogs and it’s a completely innocent doll and story here, but the history behind it is rooted in racism.”
Toy maker Kate Finn has created brand new dolls, called “gollies” but Mr Jefferson says this is no less offensive.
“Most New Zealanders don’t know the history of the piccaninny stereotype” he said.
Mr Jefferson's offence lies at the heart of the “degrading and demeaning” caricature of African Americans which the gollywog represents.
“This piccaninny stereotype has never, ever had a good connotation to it, it was only meant as a slur.” He said.
Crabtree and Evelyn, the store Sunrise purchased the gollywog from declined to comment.
Eskimo debate rages on:
Inuits come to the defence of the word 'Eskimo'
Eskimo lollies slammed as racist by Canadian tourist
Eskimo lolly deemed offensive to the Inuit
No name change for Eskimo sweets
What no more Eskimo pies?
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