"Golliwogs"

[DebsyDoo]

I dunno,
All the response these comments have generated seems to pale into insignificance somehow . . . . after watching the series on UKTV History - Auschwitz(currently on @ 5.00pm each evening) about the Nazi extermination camps during WWII.

An example from this evening's programme, where 4,000 children (aged 2 - 14) were forcibly taken from their parents (bad enough) & then all gassed as one.

As politically incorrect as these "Golliwog" comments may be, surely this puts it into perspective ?

It does for me . . . a golliwog to me is still a toy from my childhood, or the emblem on the front of the jam I used to have on my toast in the mornings !!

[B00]

Yeah, I watched it this morning- makes sobering TV viewing huh?

[DebsyDoo]

Yes, Boo - I stumbled across it Monday, I think - been watching it every day since.

It's really interesting, but also disturbing to see just what people are capable of doing to others - through misguided loyalty

(or is it "brain-washing")

[joggerjayne]

I suspect that part of the trouble is that some people are determined to be offended. They can't wait. It would ruin their day if they didn't find something to offend them.

[DebsyDoo]

Mmmmm, probably !

God, they must lead some boring lives !!

Personally - I couldn't be bothered !

[raysparx1]

So many bad things happened during the war, things that are forgotten for instance how many of you have heard of
,,,Oradour-Sur-Glane in France? what the nazis did to the people of that village was just so awful

take a look here.
http://www.oradour.info/

[pastafreak]

Historically...the 'golliwog' was based on characters from the 19thc black and white minstrel shows. White men would dress up in 'black face'.....an exagerrated idea of a black man.These shows-tho humerous...were not complimentry to Blacks.....and specifically Slaves

' From the start minstrelsy helped perpetuate the stereotype of the black slave: lazy, dumbly guileful, noisy, flashily garbed, but essentially happy. Make‐up exaggerated the stereotype, the blackface not resembling any real Negroid features.'

I am sure that anyone who knows of this history would not really want it perpetuated......and on that basis maybe their feelings should be acknowledged

[Gormless]

I agree pasta. Britain should start with an official apology for slavery (sliding tactfully around the roles of native African and Arab traders in the sorry business), �1000 compensation to every black person in this country, and increased contributions to Ghana, Zimbabwe, Somalia, etc.

I also think that Carol T should personally pay loads and loads of damages, not sure who to, but let's start with the Brixton Boys innit.

[Ethel]

I have not forgotten the victims of war, but that doesn't mean I can't have an opinion about current affairs.

[DebsyDoo]

V. Interesting, Ray.

Pasta, forgive me if I'm wrong - but I thought the 'toy' pre-dated the shows ?

Also, if you listen to the way they refer to each other in "Rap" lingo - it's far worse than anything a "white" person could say (without getting sued!)

Ok, Gormy - does that mean for every 'mixed-race' child born in the country since the original negro's were invited here in the fifties (etc) ????

I'm all for it - my daughter could do with some cash to help pay off her student loan !!!!

[Gormless]

Yes Debsy, to anyone Black or half-Black. It wouldn't cost more than a penny on income tax.

[pastafreak]

No...the shows date from the 1840's in America.....and were quite popular in the 20's and 30's. The dolls were based on a childrens book from 1895 I think.

[dustypuss]

gormless this might interest you

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/article s/2007/02/15/abolition_liverpool_apology_featu re.shtml

[Gormless]

Apologies aren't enough dustypuss, sorry. What it needs is significant financial reparations, ongoing and keeping in line with inflation, enhanced possibilites of political power, and specially designed exams for descendants of previously enslaved citizens.

[DebsyDoo]

Thanx, Pasta - I didn't know that, but to me it was just a toy still !

Wow, Gormy - if that could've been "dished out" at birth, invested - it could have possibly paid for her university education, instead of leaving her with a �20k+ debt - before she even started work !

How this country rewards those who try eh ?

[raysparx1]

Yes Gormless of course it does. am I so guilty of the sins of my forefathers?, have the africans that sold the slaves to take no blame? have pity on us please.

[DebsyDoo]

Why "specially designed" exams ???

You're not insinuating that they are of a "lower" IQ are you ?

[Gormless]

Britain rewards based on skin colour and culture.

Education and skills are rightfully secondary considerations.

[dustypuss]

gormlass

Have you swallow a dictionary

[DebsyDoo]

Also, bit of "useless" information here - did you know that the term "Two-Bob" (referring to someone worthless) is actually an adaptation of the African Toubob - which was what the natives who helped the slave traders were called by the rest of the people ?

[dustypuss]

your right gormlass if your White you,v got no chance