The Enid Blyton Society

Thanks John... that makes sense. I agree Deej, there is a fine line between free speech and discriminatory utterances. As a journalist, I guess you must be quite a good tightrope walker!

on the other hand, I don't actually see any difference at all between banning Christmas and banning a golliwog - or banning a 'burqini' for that matter.

Courtenay wrote:

Eddie Muir wrote:I posted the following on the abject...

On the abject? Are we really that miserable here??

Fiona1986 wrote:I feel daft now! I've finally worked out - SUBJECT! Clearly forgot to switch the brain on this morning...

Daisy wrote:Well I realized Eddie meant 'subject' ...

Oh dear, what a stir I've caused! So much for predictive text. Of course I meant subject and have now corrected my post to this effect.

This thread is like a school playground squabble! What offends or doesn't offend people is of no interest to me. It beggars belief that the humble golliwog should provoke such interest. If you like them buy them, if you don't, don't. Simples.

Eddie: write out "subject" a thousand times.

Moonraker wrote: If you like them buy them, if you don't, don't. Simples.

lol - I think the whole point is though that maybe very soon you won't be able to buy one!!!

Moonraker wrote: Eddie: write out "subject" a thousand times.

Love it, Nigel!

Rob Houghton wrote:

Moonraker wrote: If you like them buy them, if you don't, don't. Simples.

lol - I think the whole point is though that maybe very soon you won't be able to buy one!!!

Precisely.

Eddie Muir wrote: Oh dear, what a stir I've caused! So much for predictive text. Of course I meant subject and have now corrected my post to this effect.

I was the one who caused the stir, really! Sorry, Eddie — I knew what you meant in the first place and realised it must have been predictive text. I hope I haven't upset you.

Back on topic, anyway, I really appreciated your comment:

Eddie Muir wrote:
I don't wish to enter the arguments for and against the golliwog, but some years ago I asked a Nigerian friend of mine for his thoughts on the subject. He replied: "It's a black doll loved by white children and so I have no problem with the golliwog."

That really does go to show what a subjective topic this is, which is what I was trying to say earlier. There simply is no universal rule that golliwogs are racist and all black people find them offensive. Some do, yes; others don't. As Viv has said more than once, many of her most avid golliwog buyers are black!

Courtenay wrote:

Eddie Muir wrote: Oh dear, what a stir I've caused! So much for predictive text. Of course I meant subject and have now corrected my post to this effect.

I was the one who caused the stir, really! Sorry, Eddie — I knew what you meant in the first place and realised it must have been predictive text. I hope I haven't upset you.

No apology is needed, Courtenay. You didn't upset me. In fact I was quite amused by your post. I must remember to check my posts thoroughly in future before submitting them.

I'm glad that you appreciated my comment.

Eddie Muir wrote: No apology is needed, Courtenay. You didn't upset me.

Well, I didn't think you would be too offended, which is why I figured I could get away with it...

Eddie Muir wrote:

Moonraker wrote: Eddie: write out "subject" a thousand times.

Love it, Nigel!

But don't use copy and paste, Eddie

Rob Houghton wrote:on the other hand, I don't actually see any difference at all between banning Christmas and banning a golliwog - or banning a 'burqini' for that matter.

Christmas is OK as long as it isn't a 'White Christmas'!

Here is my next question.

And I really don't know the answer to it. And I am not sure what I would think if I did have the answer to it.

Do we have any record of any black person, anywhere, at any time, being offended by Golliwogs, and/or wanting to have them banned?

Moonraker wrote:....the humble golliwog.... If you like them buy them, if you don't, don't. Simple.

Superb! Heartily agree Nigel.