Don Matthews

Golliwogs Off Display

by Don Matthews

Wednesday 26th September 2018 9:30 am

Golliwogs Off Display

Each year at our Royal Annual Show

The handicrafts section display dolls

And golliwogs have been part of this tradition

So why am I writing about it on WOL?

Some people complained they were racist

So they were promptly removed from display

Resulting in a wide angry reaction

“A nanny state. We've lost our way”

Golly's weren't created to be racist

“I cuddled one when I was a child”

So why don't we all just grow up

And go with the flow, not get riled

Now someone's come up with an idea

Which I think is brilliant and solves all

Just knit them in pink, blue or yellow

Or any sort of multicoloured ball

Don Matthews September 2018

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Comments

raypool

Wed 26th Sep 2018 20:11

It's an interesting phenomenon that there are things in life we take for granted and accept until some smart Alecs come along and try to make us feel guilty. Maybe there's too much guilt in the world waiting to get in.

I don't worry about it personally, but a lot of people are highly sensitized otherwise there would not be the reaction to the poem Don - and now I have added to it.

Ray

<Deleted User> (18980)

Wed 26th Sep 2018 17:28

Cordial today...jam tomorrow!

Don't know why I've said this or what it means...

Don Matthews

Wed 26th Sep 2018 16:07

You say Brian we Aussies are behind the 8-ball
But MC's got you looking like pork ham
It seems you haven't done you're Brit homework
To know Robinson's make cordials not jam

To be kind I will make one assumption
You weren't raised on Robertsons stuff
And therefore cannot be expected
To know which is which....dunno what rhymes with stuff but you get my point ?

M.C. Newberry

Wed 26th Sep 2018 15:49

Robertson's jam was a staple product of my childhood -
its famous trademark becoming a victim of the race relations industry. Recently, a music festival up north
cancelled a Morris Dancing group who featured a tradition
of using black face (historical origins going way back and
nothing to do with race) because of moans from a race-
driven group who objected to the colour used. The organisers appeared to regret their decision but defended it
on commercial grounds.
PS - Robinson makes cordials and not jams.
PPS - I bet if some enterprising toy maker were brave enough to bring out a cuddly canine called a Gollydog, kids would love it!

Taylor Crowshaw

Wed 26th Sep 2018 15:05

Good point Don, what is the problem white yellow pink blue with dots...media hyping it up..people being manipulated...good poem..x

keith jeffries

Wed 26th Sep 2018 15:00

Don,
You ask what is going on with us. Simple mate, we are being manipulated.
Keith

Don Matthews

Wed 26th Sep 2018 13:25

The dolls won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. Despite this, racist groups on social media caused the show organisers to remove the dolls. What will happen next year is unsure. What is going on with us ?...?

<Deleted User> (19836)

Wed 26th Sep 2018 13:08

People made of bone and flesh. Dolls made of fabric and stuffing! Do I need to say more!

Why is society pushing racism on us! If the media and politicians would leave us ALL alone, I believe we would be just fine. A Planet of PEOPLE AND ANIMALS...nothing more, nothing less, No one inferior and no one superior!

Nice Job Don!?

<Deleted User> (9882)

Wed 26th Sep 2018 12:05

So how come white people don't find white dolls offensive?
I respectfully ask.

My mum misses the black and white minstrel show that used to be a regular prog on telly ages ago. And in those days she says there was never any hints whatsoever about racism. I think a lot of racial tensions are inflamed by the media in general who are as per in it for the £ and bugger all else.

Cheer's Don.

Rose ?

keith jeffries

Wed 26th Sep 2018 11:11

Don,

I can remember saving paper gollies which came with every jar and when one had a certain number it qualified you for a real steel badge. I had one. Perhaps I am a white supremacist. I like you poem as it it highlights the ridiculous extent to which we have gone. Teddy bears are usually brown but they seem to be exempt.

Keith

Don Matthews

Wed 26th Sep 2018 10:04

I have found it Brian. I knew there was something in my past about Golliwogs and jam. Robertsons Jam. Yes

Here is link to a guy who worked in the factory

https://youtu.be/VVE1OzdC3nI ?

<Deleted User> (18980)

Wed 26th Sep 2018 09:34

You Aussies are behind the curve...we banned them here 20 years ago. Robinson' Jam had a major branding crisis!

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