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Posts: 8I've seen Golly dolls rather often throughout this site, and it aroused certain suspicions ... So I went to Wikipedia.org and read up on the history of these dolls. My suspicions proved correct.
Does anyone else notice the racism these dolls represent? Sure, they've been "innocent" playthings for several generations, but they were created to look like black-face minstrels ... white people who painted themselves to look like black people. Their large red lips and wild hair are incredibly stereotypical.
Maybe it's because I'm 18 and haven't grown up with these dolls, but ... I think they're an abomination.
Any thoughts?
Posts: 3,540:crackup: :crackup: Sorry, but umm...no, Gollies were not created in the spirit of racism. To me, it would seem the same as saying whoever created Barbie was racist against white women. .... I just don't see how a doll that's spreading so much joy can be so misconstrued.
It leaves me just as baffled as when African Americans get offended about Sambos. I'm sorry, but this is a restaurant that was created from the story of Little Black Sambo ~ who happened to be an East Indian child! AND Sambo was the hero of the story, who outwitted the tiger. So I fail to see how it can be considered racist either.
Burlison BearsYou know, I kinda wondered once about them, but then I read that they were made for black children so they could have black dolls instead of white dolls to play with. I have no idea if that's even true. But I don't think they're an abomination at all. I've always loved primitive Mammy dolls and the cute black girl cloth dolls with little knots for hair sticking up all over the head. I think they are adorable and I love and appreciate them just as much as white primitive cloth dolls and even Amish dolls with no faces.
I have no idea if golly dolls offend black people or any other race...but I personally think they're sweet.
Eliza
Little Bear GuyHmmmm I've seen this discussion on other boards and it just tends to go down hill from the get go. I'm not a lover of Gollies but I see both sides of the story, some people don't like my bears and that's ok. Everyone has a choice to like something or not like it that's what makes us all different and unique. There is a history to the Golly and I'm sure someone can point everyone in the right direction to read about it.
I have only seen one Golly that I would have bought and that was made by Art Rogers, I may have to buy it when I see him in Schaumburg. He showed it to some Golly arist and they were offended by his interpretation of the Golly because he gave his Golly leopard pants , they thought his Golly was racist because the leopard pants made it to African. ( I found that quite humerous )
P.S. Mini-Mayfield please don't always go by what you see on one website do a little further investigating and get both sides of the story. Remember there are always two sides to every story and once you see them then you can make up your mind , you don't have to like them but lots of people do.
big hugs all
Shane
Back Road BearsWell, I am not a Golly fan..... they just don't appeal to me. HOWEVER, mini-mayfield.... you may want to do some more reading about Golliwgs and their appeal to many cultures and races. I have yet to read anything negative about them.
Black faced minstrels may have been the inspiration behind the creation of these dolls but last I knew we took a cartoonist's lead and turned the idea of a potentially deadly wild bear into a teddy bear. We don't associate the teddy bear with sharp teeth and claws that can kill us in seconds flat. The woman who first wrote stories about the golliwog portrayed him as a friendly character with a 'kindly face'. These were dolls handmade by white mothers and loved by children. I've read nowhere where there was hatered or racism toward colored people behind the creation of the gollywog doll.
I've only spent 10 minutes reading about them but I've read enough to disagree with your statement. Though you are certainly entitled to feel that way but I sense you were posting about Gollies here in part to learn more about them. I'm hoping you'll read the posts with an open mind.
Posts: 1,836Hi Laura,
You're a new member and could be the next generation of bear maker, don't get upset at the feedback you might get from posting this topic...it's a hot one!! I respect your opinions and your assertation of what the doll represents. There are many opinions, websites, and organizations devoted to this topic on the net, for both sides of the debate. I would suggest to anyone to read the beginnings of it all, read the books themselves, read the definitions behind the words and phrases, read the various sites, form an opinion, create and buy based on that. Each of us makes the call if we feel comfortable with it or not. No one else's opinion matters at that point.
:hug:
~Chrissi
DoodlebearsGollys have been a long time companion for the teddy bear. Many people do not like gollys but others love them. I have made gollys and sold them at shows, a golly often being the first sale of the day. I was, to put straight, told off by two ladies for selling black dolls as, to use their words, I was being a racist. I laughed and showed them the same golly doll only made up in white flesh coloured material sitting just along the table. They had not commented on this doll. I asked them why they were offended by the black golly doll and not the white doll as they were identical all but the colour. After a long chat they apologized and said although they still did not like the black golly doll they saw where I was coming from and that I had proved that they were in fact the ones being unreasonable. I would never purposely go out to offend anyone, black, white or any other race. To me people are people and we should all learn to live our lives together happily and try and understand what each and everyone stands for, whether it be a golly or human, skin colour should never in my opinion come into it. I sold the dolls both black and white and have sold many others since. Everyone should be allowed their opinion and if they don't like the gollys then it is up to them. To me a golly is just a beautiful black doll, not a thing to ridicule anyone. I hope I have not offended anyone by writing this as I have no intention to do so.
Jane. 
Bears by Jodi
