Dunno why - have changed it now..thanks for pointing that out Mike

Hi Hoof

thanks for your kind comments!

I think you make a great point. These toys were seen as fun! I think that is what shock me most of all.

For Christs sake - a donkey kicking a black mans head in! How could this be deemed a toy!

It’s an interesting collection from a social and a historical perspective. Toys such as “Greedy Nigger Boy” (I feel guilty about just *typing* those words) are so clearly vehicles for spreading hate that you have to expand your definition of what a toy is.

Is it possible that a toy is also a way for adults to perpetuate their own views and prejudices? I think it is.

It is not really controversial any longer to argue that giving girls toy ovens and dolls, for example, is a way of reinforcing gender roles. This collection shows me that toys can also serve to reinforce racial prejudice.

I must admit to being a little offended to see these toys presented here but perhaps I should not be so sensitive. You are not, afterall, condoning or approving of these objects. You are just displaying them as interesting artifacts. Still, I wouldn’t blame someone for feeling offended at seeing such reminders of violently racist former times.

Seeing these toys reminds me of the “Coon Chicken” poster in the film Ghost World. The poster which is presented as “found art” but ends up causing problems for everyone associated with it as they become scapegoats for the towns disgust at its’ own dirty little secret - a history of racism.

I would really LOVE to get a pair of chop suey specs - they would be hilarious and would have all of my non-racist friends and family pissing themselves laughing.

Why is it okay to refer to the current president as a monkey but not one of the presidential hopefuls? Please answer that question without mentioning race/ethnicity because, after all, we are beyond that rubbish.

Sadly these are not that shocking, as I live in the Southeast. I can go to any antique store and pick up a “Greedy Nigger,” “Golly Wog,” or any black person-watermelon toy. They are still manufactured.

the metta tags for the sock obama though have been recalled are still

sock monkeys, politically plush dolls, obama doll, obama monkey, the sock obama, monkey obama, John Mccain

why is this comment not showing up?

the metta tags for the sock obama though have been recalled are still

sock monkeys, politically plush dolls, obama doll, obama monkey, the sock obama, monkey obama, John Mccain

Interesting list. Amazing to know what was acceptable then. Course, I’ve always known it, but it’s a good reminder. It should also serve reminding what really is racism and what is using the race card. The majority of things today deemed racist are not racist, but used as such by evolved racists either unaware they’ve become what they detest or racists using their minority status for selfish gain. It’s for that reason why “hate speech” laws are unconstitutional.

Are what you listed an exception to my stance against hate speech laws? No. Why? Because today’s society can take care of such racism without the need for government involvement. I think the Obama puppet is proof of that. They put it up, the people gave them a justifiable tongue-lashing, they correct their error and remove it. That’s the way it should be.

Wow!

That’s brutal!

Jeepers

By your exaggerated disgusted comments and by the topic you chose for this post(after all you must have some interest in racism) i do deduct that you are a racist after all. your guilt however denies your authentic enthusiastic comments and force you to politically correct dull faked “shocked” responses for each of the item.

When most of these toys were made, racism wasn’t an opinion, it was fact. All the whites knew that the blacks were “n-words” (sorry, I chickened out). The blacks were completely voiceless and had just about as much power as dogs.

It’s amazing that line of thinking ever flourished at all, almost more amazing that it has taken that long for us to come this far. I know that racism still exists in this country, even among “normal” people (not toothless West Virginians of whom you’d expect that line of thinking) but I feel that someday, it will be completely gone.

Black and white are not separate races, anyway you look at it we are all people with the exact same problems, concerns, joys and hopes. We all evolved from the same monkeys.

I used to own one of the ‘greedy nigger boy’ money boxes way back in the 50s and, as a child, I just thought of it as ‘my money box’. Growing up in the North of England I had never even SEEN a black person so it meant nothing to me then in the way of racism. When I came across it a few years ago, though, lurking in the attic and read the ‘Jolly Nigger Boy’ inscription on the back I have to say I was shocked and horrified!

What I am saying is that times have changed. My parents would not have given me that money box if they had known it would offend people. They were the most tolerant people I ever knew and I, myself went on to have many black friends at college. To us, it was just a moneybox! Fashions change. We used to be careful to call black people ‘coloured’ as that was considered ‘correct’ at the time. Nowadays that term is considered offensive.

Surely, all that matters is that we love and respect one another regardless of race or creed. The language is just a matter of fashion.

Yes things at one time were a lot different. I can remember buying the candy at the corner drug store in New York called nigger babies. Even the black kids I played with called them that. Was that a simpler time or was we just dumb and uncaring?

Why is it ‘racist’ if the toy depicts a dark skinned person??? There are millions of simillar toys with white faces - are these not racist?

I’m confused!

This just shows how ungodly ignorant people have been. I was horrified. Whether you call them artifacts or toys or whatever, they’re a disgrace. Too bad we can’t make degrading toys based on the assholes who invented this trash.

O.O

I am really surprised that someone made something like that about Barack Obama.

To be honest, I am surprised that any of this ever came out, but whatev.

Thank you for posting this. As a black woman, it’s a reminder of how out and out racist things were back in the day, and there are even some reminders that it’s still out there today. Whew!

Would they be considered racist, if these toys depicted white people, and sold in Africa?

I’m not sure how to say this but I actually have no. 9 sitting in my bookcase right now. The gold on his shirt is white on mine but that’s definitely the one. I was actually a young child when I got it so, er… I don’t think I grew up to be a racist at least.

I gotta go think about “stuff”…

I really don’t see why someone would be offended by the fact that these toys were presented here. Have we as a society become so sensitive that we can not muster up the courage to even look at something that might offend us?

I do agree that they are racist, but am I so offended that I can’t even look at them?

No.

wow… this stuff is rather shocking.

I don’t feel that you can call number 8 racist considering http://www.bushorchimp.com/ ,
http://www.funnyjunk.com/pages/monkey.htm ,
http://www.flumesday.com/images/bush/monkey.jpg ,
unless you consider bush being portrayed as a monkey racist too.

“Whilst not as obviously racist as the rest of the toys…”

Actually this comment makes YOU look bad. That toy is in no way racist.

Hitler persecuted the Jews and there is NOTHING racial about being Jewish. Unless you’re a Nazi and actually believe Jews are their own race I guess…

I’d suggest changing your comment. btw, I happen to be German and not Jewish.

OMG!!!
I can’t stop laughing!

While I would in no way ever endorse, or buy “toys” like these, I did get a good laugh at the expense of the ignorant people that created them. I am a bit shocked that in the year 2008 that the Obama sock doll was created, and can only write that one off to knuckle draggers who still can’t transcend ignorance.
Anyway, great collection of historic ignorance, preserve it well, those who don’t know their history…

I grew up in England. Myself and all my cousins had golliwogs. Not just dolls but also pins and other such things. At the time, it was just a doll to me, not blatently racist, because it was made so differently from some of my other dolls. Later, absolutely I recognized the difference and sadly don’t have my golliwog anymore. I would have liked to have kept it as a testimony to the way things have changed for the better. Later as a child, I also had a native indian doll, and a brown skinned doll that was constructed the same way my other dolls were. But I do miss my golliwog….

Man, these toys are funny. As a black man, I feel as if people have lost their sence of humor and need to quit being so damn serious all of the time! “Niggas be aktin crazy!”

This is a crazy assortment of toys from a (hopefully) lost era. I just finished reading a book that reference Golly Wog and now it makes more sense.

I’m a racist, hahahaa. I like these toys. They should be forever a reminder that black people should be at the farm working their asses off while white folk (the good folk) sit at the porch and drink lemonade.

White powaah!!!

Nobody should be offended by these. They were from a time in our past when such blatant racism was commonplace and even encouraged in some places. I don’t even blame the people from yesteryear as they were quite ignorant. But what we should take away from looking at these is the fact that we have come a long way and to remember the mistakes of the past. Not forget them. We can’t change history, only make sure that such ignorance never happens again. If not for ourselves then for our children at least.

It’s astonishing that this was ever considered normal? i’m laughing uncompfortably at them as it is increadulous when this kind of ignorance is uncovered.

Great find, really makes you think!

Interesting point about the golliwogs. They first appeared in an Enid Blyton book back in the 50s, as the bullies who picked on Noddy. Interestingly, gollys (since, according to the last info I found on the subject, only the “wog” part is actually offensive :-S) can still be found in some reprints of the books, and on certain jars of jam, but as happy, kind, helpful figures. The bullies have now become green-faced goblins.

What’s wrong with the hitler limousine. I have one of those.

I remember having a “gollywog” when I was a little girl, and I’m not even thirty. I can’t speak for the values of my grandma who knitted it, but I know that as far as I was concerned, it was just like my other ragdolls, but black. I guess the racism of gollywogs exists only as far as the values of the adult people in my life who had opinions on those things. In my 4 year old head, people being valued differently for the way they look, was fortunately beyond my scope of understanding.

I suppose that, because the concept of black slaves, or for that matter, race stereotypes, was something I only learned of much much later, gollywogs never seemed racist to me. I can see how they are racist now, but as a kid I’m glad I was so innocent.

I think they accurately portray the fact that coloureds are a sub-species that have still to adapt to a life full of subtle looks, turns of phrase and gestures that you find in todays western worlds. Im afraid that they were just taken from their more primitive environment before they had properly evolved to deal with european and american lives.

I’m portuguese and I’m very embarassed to have a portuguese toy in this list (”Jogo Dos Grooms”). Keep in mind that by the time that game was published we where in the middle of a opressive regime that was on war against our african collonies and we’ve come a long way since those days…

Why majora?! Why?

These toys were considered fun for the same reason they are now considered offensive — the social climate. Being politically correct is the current flavor. 100 years ago you would have laughed at a black man’s head being kicked in by a donkey in the same way you now find it repulsive.

I find #4 to be most interesting. It’s not hateful at all — it’s actually kind, gentle, even compassionate. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s incredibly, stupidly condescending and racist. You oten see this kind of “compassion” racism today with regards to native people, but not often to blacks.

The toys are quite racist, but I find reading through the comments more shocking. I don’t find the list humorous. It is interesting and disgusting.

I am equally disgusted by the feeling that it was cute and somehow alright because that is how things were. I think it is something that we should be embarrassed about. I think it is something to be shamed by.

You may have fond memories wrapped up in say your childhood love of a “mammie” doll, but you can not deny the racist significance of a woman being forced to work and care for white children while her unable to properly care for her own children. Then we make it into a toy and suddenly she is so sweet.

Oh and I am a fellow German to the one commenter above and while classifying Jews as a race is still in debate you cannot deny that they aren’t the victims of racism. Can you think of a joke about Jewish people off the top of your head? I think you probably can. I agree with the cars inclusion. That was a dark time in world history. It is also something in my own cultural history I find shame in and I believe it is good to have shame about that. It is shameful.

I’m not trying to make this into a big deal. I just saw the toys and was taken aback, but what people used to make and then the comments got to me.

I swear I am not trying to be a troll or whatever and flood the comments. I just think it is very important that people know the stories behind these things. Earlier I wrote an (ahem) before writing watermelon and that is because I thought the in itself was racist, but I wanted to look it up first. Sure enough:

“Numerous primary sources chroncle Black resistance to slavery through “silent sabotage,” or, day-to-day acts of resistance. Stealing from the master was one example. It seems logical that, given that food would be among the most desirable of items a slave would pilfer, and chickens and watermelons would have been commonly available. Solomon Northup, for example, tells of being put in charge of punishing slaves who got into the master’s watermelon patch. Rather than carry out the punishment, Northup had the slaves show him the way to the patch. The connecting of Blacks to chicken and watermelon was done in a way to dehumanize Blacks and subject them to ridicule. This process helped contribute to prejudice and discrimination. Surprisingly, many young people are unaware of the long history of these stereotypes, while some older Black people refuse to eat watermelon because of that history. And yet the stereotype still exists.”

Further info and plenty of examples of racist imagery featuring watermelons can be found here: http://www.authentichistory.com/diversity/african/chickenwatermelon/index.html

I’d like to have #9 for my desk at work, but some goddamned nigger would probably cry about it. That’s all those darkies down here are good for.

I was thinking how silly these toys were when I saw them. I was thinking what a strange bit of historical artifact these were. I thought that they were interesting, and obviously racist. I was thinking that I’m glad we don’t live in such racially motivated times.

However, I then read some of the comments and realized how racist and race oriented we are still. People obviously can’t handle racism, even from a bygone era as they feel the need to either lampoon, defend, or rebuttal. Why can’t you take it just as it is? Why can’t you look at it and say “Wow, that was racist. I’m sure glad I don’t live in those racist times.”? You all make me sick at the fact that race is so prevalent in your minds.

Obviously the poster posted this as a way to show how much out society has changed. Apparently that was lost.

The Obama sock puppet wasn’t racist, they made one for McCain too and no one complained about that one!

What you have to be “African American” to be eligible to pull the race card?

Its just stupid and people need to find something else to waste their time on, I don’t want to hear it.

Well, this is funny, not the racism, but the way the people put the things… If any of these toys were about white people, nobody would complain…
The racism is inside yourselves

It is not racist of you to post this. You are presenting a bit of history that we should not forget. No, they’re not something to be proud of, but we need to remind ourselves that some progress has been made and we have more to go. I would never consider censoring this post, I would caution that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it…

All the comments section needs is a replacement of half the comments with WHITE POWER — which is what these “durrr dahurrr hurrrrrr but there are white stereotypes why doesn’t anyone get offended by those but us?” people really want to say.

Seriously I’m not seeing enough ASCII swastikas here accompanying gems such as:

“Why is it okay to refer to the current president as a monkey but not one of the presidential hopefuls? Please answer that question without mentioning race/ethnicity”

What’s going on?

I think you should remove the Obama doll, or put it in context at least.

The doll was made in Japan which consider the monkey the smarter animals and not as a negative slang word for a black person. Although it is no longer on sale, they did realise the connotations of the animal in the west.

Do you still consider it racist or a cultural misunderstanding?

Hahaha these are classics, I bet some of them would be worth a fair penny too! =D

As for the whole racist thing, its idiots who point out the differences by saying “na thats racist dont say that, the black/asian/what ever/white guy even will take offence to it!”

Unless ofcourse its pure outright racism which isnt what im talking about. But as far as saying im gonna get gook food or what not, if you find that offensive your an idiot!

Oh and on that note the person im basically married to of many many years is ASIAN!! just before some sook starts having a whinge at me lol

А че, прикольна!

I’m so sick of ugly-minded people comparing monkeys to black people. Have you seen the statistics on monkey crime? Almost negligible. And monkeys do significantly worse on SAT scores (but that may just be institutional bias in favor of black people). And finally, monkeys create very little of the world’s crappy music or unfunny sitcoms. Please lay off the monkeys.

We actually had number 9 in my store. A black lady bought it and told us it reminded her of her brother. Lol.

I kid you not.

I work in an antique store, by the way.

okay you want to know why it would be racist for white people to do that? because white people were racist for thousands of years! there were white schools, white colleges, white bathrooms, white drinking fountains. its about damn time that there was stuff for other ethnicities. its good there is now a time for other ethnicities to be ahead not just white people. white people, kicked, killed, spit on, segregated, other races for years so now that they have something to be proud of don’t try &make is racist cuz they deserve it right about now I think

Two of the biggest racist alive (not to mention egomaniacs) are the Rev Jessie Jackson and Uncle Al Sharpton both, can I say this without offending, black. So racist come in all sizes, shapes and yes folks colors.

these have all cracked me up, the ones i would buy would be the hitlers limousine, or the greedy nigger boy money box…genius!

“What Goes Around - Comes Around” Every Hateful Heart Will Go Straight To HELL On Judgement Day!!!

Actually, I think Adam and Eve weren’t really white, more of a Mocha-Latte sorta dark beige.

Great post. There are a bunch of cartoons as well over on archive.org that would not be tolerated these days.

it isn’t. the term
Golly Wog is used many times in Japanese movies and culture and is a get this dust bunny. for example there’s a children’s movie called Totoro now i find when cleaning dust bunnies they arent in fact people african descent or not

dmac

I am not sure if there were toys like this in the middle ages but you only have to read Shakespeare (Othello and Merchant of Venice, to name but two) to know that racism existed in the 1500s.

It is a sad fact that members of the human race always want to feel superior. Those who are at the bottom of the pile will always try to find someone to persecute.

I really dont think these toys are important though, in themselves. Most people who bought them were not racists. To them, they were just toys the same as Barbie and Action Man.

Do you understand that all comedy is based on cruel jokes. Blacks are the most underdeveloped of all races on comedy, only surpassed by Muslems. (they are not a race) so “get over it!”

Before we can ever eliminate blatant racism, we have to eliminate people’s tendency to let their race define their personality. So many in the world allow their color to define the way they will act, what music they listen to, and to define their personality. It is ridiculous that any black person in the south who does not act ghetto, listen to rap, and like women for their physical appearance only is shunned and labeled as a white black guy. We need to eliminate racism, but we also need to eliminate the undertones of race in our personalities. I believe you can retain your culture without allowing it to limit you.

I agree with WhiteWoman’s comment below. I also think woman should be put back in their place and should not be allowed to vote or have any rights. (end of sarcasm)

Get with it lady.

- A young white male

Thomas Jefferson owned slaves all his life. Did he need mental help WhiteManII?
Lots of great men owned slaves.
And btw WhiteMan, I have no more rights than a slave myself and I’m already “in my place” so I don’t see your point here….

Heh.
Most of the comments here are the real reason racism (as many people here are defining it) wont go away.

It’s a two way street. I mean, if a black guy gets a promotion at work despite being inferior to a white man, it’s this so called ‘affirmative action’.

C’mon. Call a shovel a shovel. Its giving someone special attention based on their race. Isnt that the definition of racism?

Yes these things happened. In RETROSPECT, they were unfair to a particular race. I like to think that we live in a more tolerant society (although some people still like to cling to the old ways and its them that make the newspapers) and the idea of racism has changed in definition.

The day rappers stop using the word nigger because its “offensive” is the day I will think about being offended by it.

Stop playing into the hypocrisy inherent in a system where we always seem to run everything past every last minority to make sure that its PC and ok to post/publish/say. I’m willing to bet that no matter what anyone, anywhere says, someone else will take offense to it.

Racism is only an idea based on history and our PC-heavy world. I say, say what you want and if someone gets touchy with it, sort it out between the two of you.

–Ectes

sadly racism is never going to go away by what I´ve seen the way we live today in America is a good as its going to be tolerant but with many racist undertones. i say its never going to go away because many parts of the world are still very racist way more then here, i am a Mexican American who my whole life has gone to Mexico on vacations to visit family and never understood why the other Mexicans would risk t