Golliwogs ‘not racist’ says alderman in anti-PC post

A Clarence alderman who defended his love of golliwogs after a Facebook post of his caused controversy has been accused of hypocrisy after he complained about being called a “whitie”. LATEST >>

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UPDATE: THE alderman lamenting “cancel culture” and people taking offence at golliwogs complained to council colleagues after he was called a “whitie”, a fellow alderman says.

Alderman Tony Mulder said Brendan Blomeley was just as quick to take offence himself as any woke cancel culture warrior.

Alderman Mulder said Alderman Blomeley objected to being called “a whitie” in debate over a council apology to Indigenous Australians.

Councillor cautioned for calling colleague a ‘misogynist turkey’

“I don’t appreciate being referred to as a ‘whitie’ – in fact, I find it highly offensive,” he said during an email discussion of the motion.

“You’re saying that my offence is not important? Do my feelings not matter? Is this because I’m a ‘whitie’?”

Clarence council Alderman Tony Mulder. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Alderman Mulder said Alderman Blomeley was happy to take offence, but failed to accept others could too.

“Are not people of colour entitled to be highly offended by the golliwog reference?” he said.

“Do their feelings not matter?

“The views on the appropriateness of golliwog toys should not be prosecuted by those so easily offended by a non-pejorative term like ‘whitie’.”

In October last year, a motion to fly the aboriginal flag was voted down by aldermen. The decision was subsequently overturned.

Clarence Alderman Brendan Blomeley with a golliwog at The Woodcraft Shop in Richmond. Picture: FACEBOOK

EARLIER: A Tasmanian alderman has defended his love of golliwogs — saying he is not a racist.

Clarence City alderman Brendan Blomeley posted a photograph on his Facebook page with a photo of golliwogs accompanied by the caption: “Wonderful to know the PC Brigade haven’t taken total control!”

Once a popular children’s toy, the dolls have fallen into disfavour in recent years because, in the words of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, they “perpetuate the sort of stereotypes that often underpin racism”.

Clarence City Council Alderman Brendan Blomeley. Picture: Zak Simmonds

In a list of “terrible toys” Time magazine described “racist golliwogs” as “offensive figurines”: which had fallen out of fashion “for obvious reasons”.

They remain on display in the window of a Richmond store.

Mr Blomeley said he was former director of the Migrant Resource Centre in Southern Tasmania and a current Multicultural Ambassador for Mental Health Australia.

“To be very clear, I am not a racist and indeed, I have a proud record of working to achieve harmony and acceptance in our diverse community,” he said.

“So, if my post has caused anyone genuine offence, then of course I apologise.

“However, it seems to me that the politically-correct brigade seek to find offence under every single rock in their pursuit to cancel culture.”

Brendan Blomeley’s Facebook post.

Mr Blomeley, a former Liberal political adviser, is chief executive of the Tasmanian Racing Club and serves as chair of Beyond Blue’s Parents Beyond Breakup.

He said too many people were keen to take offence these days.

“For me, I have wonderful memories of my nan knitting me, all my siblings and our cousins a golliwog and this memory has a very special place in my heart,” he said.

“My clear understanding of the golliwog, growing up with one beside my bed as a child – was that they were a protector of children – and are not, as some believe, a sign of racism or disrespect to people of different race or skin tone.”

“Disappointingly, this approach often appears to be supported by a left-leaning media who jump at each and every opportunity to undermine our rich culture and history — a history that ought to be proudly celebrated — not denigrated at every opportunity. That is what is so destructive and so corrosive.

“If you want to survive in this environment, it seems that you’ve got to jump on the PC bandwagon and in so doing, disown our own western civilisation, that is, as we know, the best in the world.”
He said cancel culture had already claimed six Dr Seuss books, Coon Cheese and Colonial beer.

“What’s next? The renaming of Golden Gaytime?” Mr Blomeley asked.

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