Paradise Point gift store Avalon Home and Gifts co-owner says selling golliwog doll not ‘racist’

A Gold Coast store selling golliwog dolls has defended the move. Bulletin readers, meanwhile, have chimed in with their thoughts. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

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THE co-owner of a Paradise Point gift store selling golliwog dolls has defended the move saying “we are not racist and believe in freedom of choice”.

“I stand behind it, I have a collection of golliwog dolls, I have bought them for my own granddaughter, the idea behind them was never racist anyway. Kids love them, and they’re not racist, adults are,” said one of the three owners of Avalon Home and Gifts.

“I think it’s (the criticism) just petty.”

More than 1200 readers weighed in on the Bulletin’s Facebook page to give their thoughts.

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The golliwog or ‘golly’ is a doll-like character – created by white cartoonist and author Florence Kate Upton – that appeared in children’s books in the late 19th century, usually depicted as a type of rag doll.

The doll is characterised by jet black skin, eyes rimmed in white, exaggerated red lips and frizzy hair, a blackface minstrel tradition.

While widely recognised as racist caricature of black Africans, some people see the doll as an innocuous toy associated with childhood.

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A Golliwog doll has been advertised at a Paradise Point gift shop

Comments on a social media post shared to a community page supported the doll being advertised, within only one person posting an angry emoji.

Peter Garea wrote: “The politically correct brigade will be gunning for you golly golly gosh. Old Golly has a fascinating history … and was much loved until some idiot decided to grandstand and make an issue. The children they were given to never even thought or cared about racism.”

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“(I) love the golly gosh, my grandchildren had these,” said Maxy Maxi, with another commentator Kate Lord saying she had two (dolls) for her daughter, “we all love them”.

Kay Hobson said “love it, good on you, it’s only a doll, nobody would say anything if it was green, up those who are offended”.

Avalon Home and Gifts describes itself as a “unique boutique gift store located in Paradise Point” that supports local and rural Australians by providing a retail space for their wares.

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