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came a favourite children’s toy everywhere surpassed only by the “There has been criticism of their sale by some Indigenous peo-
teddy bear. ple in Australia, but commentator Luke Pearson, NITV’s digital en-
In Upton’s books the golliwog was jovial, friendly and gallant, gagement and editorial specialist and the founding director of Indig-
but some later publications by other authors golliwogs were some- enousX, said it was important not to generalise.
times seen as sinister or menacing characters. For instance, a few “ ‘It’s really a case by case. I have met some older people who
of Enid Blyton‘s books feature them, sometimes as villains and grew up with them without knowing that context of racism. Who
sometimes as heroes. played with them as kids.’
Golliwogs grew in popularity. They became objects of affection “Mr Pearson said that it was now pretty well understood in most
by black and white children. For years the toys were loved by all Western countries that the dolls have a racist origin in the blackface
without any suggestions of racism anywhere. But even the most tradition. He said just because the dolls are now being sold in a dif-
innocent objects can be converted to into a trigger for instant hat- ferent era doesn’t take away their historical meaning.
ed as seen in variations of the well known third century B.C. Greek “In Australia for some reason there seems to be this attitude of,
saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. ‘Oh well we took them off the shelves for 10-20 years so now for

One company associated with golliwogs’ initial rise in popularity some magical and unspoken reason they’re not racist anymore’. But
was British jam manufacturer James Robertson & Sons. Apparently no, they’re still the same Golliwogs that they have always been. I
John Robertson saw children playing with golliwog dolls in the Unit- don’t see why anything would have changed.”
ed States. He saw its promotional value and it became his company Among all races, it seems, the hyper sensitive political correct-
mascot. They called it Golly from 1910. Robertson’s started produc- ness addicts will always continue to see golliwogs as insulting and
ing promotional Golly badges in the 1920s, which could be obtained demeaning to anyone who is black. What a shame. The golliwogs’
in exchange for tokens gained from their products. potential to generate positive influence in race relations has been
squandered.
There are many people who still have and still love their golli-
wogs. Surely there is no reason to deny them that pleasure. Surely
that is also a step in the right direction of the biblical demand “love
thy neighbour!” Surely it is a small step, minute as it is, in the right
direction for solving racial problems?
To me, to you, a Golly is a special little toy.
Doesn’t matter at all, if It is a girl or a boy.
A Golly’s bright clothes and beautiful smile,
Will fill you with pleasure forever, not just a while.
This sweet sensitive soul, is more than a doll.
It’s a friend you will treasure, who will bring you great pleasure.
From the day that you get it,
It will melt your heart if you let it.
Unknown.
Robertson’s Strawberry Jam with a Golliwog on the label
Golliwogs rise in popularity was not all plain sailing. They were Etymology of “Wog”
banned by the Nazis in 1934 on the grounds they were inappropri- An abbreviation of golliwog. A variety of erroneous folk ety-
ate toys for young German children, “for of all non-Aryans none is mologies exist, with the most common claiming that the word is
more completely non-Aryan than the Golliwog... Some say he is so an acronym for one of either “westernized”, “worthy”, “wily”, or
attractive an advertisement for a black face that his presence makes “wonderful” preceding “Oriental gentlemen”, e.g., “Wiley Oriental
it harder to teach the young to wash.” Gentleman”
Robertson’s golliwog promotional bubble began to burst in Another erroneous claim is that it was used in the mid 1800s,
1983, when the company’s products were boycotted as offensive with WOGS (meaning Working On Government Service) stencilled
by Ken Livingstone’s Greater London Council. In 1988 the character on the shirts of Indian (or Egyptian) workers in Egypt.
ceased to be used in television advertising. Wog.
The company used to give away golliwog badges and small plas- (Britain, slang, derogatory, ethnic slur) Any dark-skinned person.
ter figures playing musical instruments (jazz musicians) or sports It originally referred specifically to Indians, but later also applied to
and other such themes. The Gollywog badge collection scheme people of North African, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern ancestry.
was withdrawn in 2001. (Australia, slang, derogatory, ethnic slur) A person of Southern
On Australia’s SBS TV network in April 2016 a news documen- European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Eastern European
tary stated: “According to Dr David Pilgrim, Professor of Sociology ancestry.
at Ferris State University, public criticism of the Golliwog began to (Australia, WWII slang, obsolete) (Of soldiers stationed abroad)
intensify in the 1960s in the United Kingdom, partly influenced by to sell something, especially illicit or stolen goods, to the local in-
the civil rights movement in the US and growing racial antagonism habitants. (Australia, WWII slang, obsolete) To steal.
between black and white populations in the UK. Also an abbreviation of polliwog (“a tadpole”). (nautical, slang)
“For some, the Golliwog doll and other items bearing the Gol- A pollywog, or sailor who has never crossed the Equator. Often re-
liwog image became a symbol of racial insensitivity. A caricature of ferred to as either filthy, slimy, or even dirty wogs
a minstrel which many say is a character itself demeaning to blacks Also (Australia slang) A bug, an insect.
and a symbol of black oppression during the slave era.” (Australia slang) A minor illness caused by bacteria, virus, intes-
“In Australia,” as the above SBS story states, “Golliwog dolls can tinal parasite, etc.
be seen on sale throughout the country, especially in country towns. (Australia slang, obsolete) A toy insect in parts that can be as-
There are regular media reports about public criticism of shops sell- sembled, used in fund-raising games.
ing Golliwog dolls, with Canberra Hospital also recently removing (Scientology) A person who is not a Scientologist.
dolls from its kiosk.
October 2020 eMuse 23