Golliwogs

[BetterTogether]

A bit of context here.

The perpetrators where not young kids but teenagers/ young adults.

They I assume made the decision on their costumes because they found them amusing and unless they live in some cosseted bubble removed from outside influence of the big wide world knew the implications of their actions.

The Golly has long since gone from being a child's toy to a symbol of racism.

All manufacturers have long since ceased using it as a trading symbol.

All this is showing is how many people in Caithness still find and try to excuse casual racism and are apologists.

Maybe next year anyone who tries to dress in such a way won't be so fortunate and will find themselves charged with a race crime as the warnings have now been shot across the bows.

If you truly can't see the problem carry on dressing up in racially offensive costumes but don't expect the law to protect you or the rest of the country to fall behind you as you'll be hauled up in the national press and publicly humiliated then charged with a race crime and have they ramifications of your actions sitting on a police record.

It's quite simple folks it's now no longer acceptable learn from it, accept it, do not try to defend it with ever increasing and bizarre comments or examples from long outdated films.

[davth]

It has been so long dropped that most teenagers under the age of 18 will have no recollection of it.

[BetterTogether]

It has been so long dropped that most teenagers under the age of 18 will have no recollection of it.

If that is the case then they must of taken time to do some research to find out what the costume look like and even the most cursory of searches would of bought up the racial issues surrounding it.

Which means they where fully aware of what they were doing and are guilty of racism but did it because they thought they could get away with it up here.

[Mr Z]

A couple of questions here were they dressed as Gollys or as something else going by some of the pictures. There were more than 3 there on Saturday night. Also they walked the whole route seen by hundreds of people and no one said to them it's wrong to dress like that best go home and remove it.

[BetterTogether]

Oh it's all in Jolly good fun lets not have a go cause they are wee bairns.Funny I didn't see one Nazi costume, no people in ankle chains and manacles.

So seems the people who like to dress up are selective about which roles they assume.


To those so proud of still having golly toys have you still got chains and manacles hidden away which you gloat on with equal glee they are all symbols of the same vile trade.

[cptdodger]

A couple of questions here were they dressed as Gollys or as something else going by some of the pictures. There were more than 3 there on Saturday night. Also they walked the whole route seen by hundreds of people and no one said to them it's wrong to dress like that best go home and remove it.

I have'nt seen all the pictures, so I can't answer that. They probably were seen by hundreds of people but remember, this is the tourist season and somebody clearly took offence, enough to report it to the Police.

[crashbandicoot1979]

Assuming I had taken offence, there's no way I would have wasted police time by going to the police about it unless they were shouting racist abuse aswell. I would have notified the committee that I thought it was inappropriate but never in a million years would I go to the police over it. The police involvement makes a bigger mockery of Caithness than the outfits did, because it makes it seem that the police have nothing better to do than investigate someone who dressed up in an outfit that some folk may find offensive.

Believe me, I live in the 21st Century but I cannot be bothered with this over-sensitive, politically correct claptrap. As I've said in other posts, there are race bigger issues that 3 kids in slightly misguided costumes at a one-night charity gala event in the back end of nowhere.

[cptdodger]

Assuming I had taken offence, there's no way I would have wasted police time by going to the police about it unless they were shouting racist abuse aswell. I would have notified the committee that I thought it was inappropriate but never in a million years would I go to the police over it. The police involvement makes a bigger mockery of Caithness than the outfits did, because it makes it seem that the police have nothing better to do than investigate someone who dressed up in an outfit that some folk may find offensive.

Believe me, I live in the 21st Century but I cannot be bothered with this over-sensitive, politically correct claptrap. As I've said in other posts, there are race bigger issues that 3 kids in slightly misguided costumes at a one-night charity gala event in the back end of nowhere.

This is an extract from The Press And Journal, which I believe is an Aberdeen publication -


"Police Scotland confirmed they had received a complaint from a member of the public and are investigating the incident.

A police spokesman explained “Police in Wick received a call from a member of the public seeking to raise awareness of what they deemed as possible inappropriate behaviour at a public event known as the Wick Gala, which took place on Saturday 25 July, in the town centre.

“Suitable advice was provided to the caller. Officers have also been in contact with the charity event organisers to provide advice and guidance for future events of this nature.”
As well as contacting the gala committee police have also been in touch with the Caithness Courier, who first published the pictures, in order to identify those involved but the paper were unable to help."

So, it is irrelevant whether you would have contacted the Police or in your case, not. The Police were contacted. Just because you do'nt think it's an issue, does not mean it's not.

[davth]

@wickerleaks: In light of events at Wick Gala, they've stopped selling gollywog toys. 'Stereotypical Black Minstrel Dolls' however are only £3.99 each.

[rob murray]

@wickerleaks: In light of events at Wick Gala, they've stopped selling gollywog toys. 'Stereotypical Black Minstrel Dolls' however are only £3.99 each.

Why use the term mate........goll***g....!!!! Come off it !!!! I still stand by my original take...it was the gala...some kids thought the idea of resurrecting a past icon would make good costumes...parents, if in the know ...should have had a word...theres no hiding from this is is racist, although I believe the kids didn't set out to cause any deliberate rascist offence !!!

[crashbandicoot1979]

This is an extract from The Press And Journal, which I believe is an Aberdeen publication -


"Police Scotland confirmed they had received a complaint from a member of the public and are investigating the incident.

A police spokesman explained “Police in Wick received a call from a member of the public seeking to raise awareness of what they deemed as possible inappropriate behaviour at a public event known as the Wick Gala, which took place on Saturday 25 July, in the town centre.

“Suitable advice was provided to the caller. Officers have also been in contact with the charity event organisers to provide advice and guidance for future events of this nature.”
As well as contacting the gala committee police have also been in touch with the Caithness Courier, who first published the pictures, in order to identify those involved but the paper were unable to help."

So, it is irrelevant whether you would have contacted the Police or in your case, not. The Police were contacted. Just because you do'nt think it's an issue, does not mean it's not.

Fair point. But I stand by my opinion that informing the police was a gross over-reaction.

[Southern-Gal]

The Bacup Coconutters have their own website. Every year they black up and dance through the streets of Rossendale, everyone loves them, it is a great tradition involving all of the Rossendale Valley. Nobody ever suggests any racism with them

http://www.coconutters.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNbGYRSsV8g

[john33]

Comment removed on second thoughts!!

[Morven33]

Racism the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Golliwog a child's doll, what about people who dress up as soldiers are these political correctness idiots going to scream Stolen Valor or Walter Mitty character and get folk arrested by armed response for pretending to be soldiers at 2016 Wick Gala?

[theone]

A white person dressing as a black is as offensive as a white person calling them racial slurs.Neither physically harm as such but are both completely offensive.

No.

There is a difference of intent.

A racial slur is a deliberate negative act, dressing up as someone else can be a compliment, completely the opposite.

Dressing up to appear as someone of another race makes you no more of a racist than accidentally killing someone in a car crash makes you a murderer. Intent is key.

If a white person dressing as a black person is racist then is it not racist for a black person to dress as a white person? i remember a popular movie called "white chicks" where 2 black guys dressed as white blonde girls that giggled alot and were a bit thick.... i don't think anyone involved in that film were "hunted by police" or called racist

No, and quite rightly not. Because the film (I assume - I haven't seen it) was made to amuse and entertain, with no intent to cause offence.

So seems the people who like to dress up are selective about which roles they assume.

I've seen people dressed up in many roles at the gala, sumo wrestlers, geisha girls and native american indians. All examples of costumes that have clear connections to people of specific race or ethnicity.

Is it wrong to dress like this?

Is it offensive, insulting or illegal?

Of course not, unless there is intent.

A couple of questions here were they dressed as Gollys or as something else going by some of the pictures. There were more than 3 there on Saturday night. Also they walked the whole route seen by hundreds of people and no one said to them it's wrong to dress like that best go home and remove it.

There was also people with dark face paint and big wigsdressed as 70's disco bands. Think Bony M or Kool and the gang and you get the idea.

this is the tourist season and somebody clearly took offence, enough to report it to the Police.

I don't know how many complaints were made to the police, but I do know for a fact that one was made by a young local woman from Thurso. She let the world know on facebook/twitter at the same time.

I wonder if she would have been equally offended at a black man dressed up as a viking or at an asian dressed up as a Leprechaun.

Racism the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Golliwog a child's doll, what about people who dress up as soldiers are these political correctness idiots going to scream Stolen Valor or Walter Mitty character and get folk arrested by armed response for pretending to be soldiers at 2016 Wick Gala?

Exactly! Nail on the head.

[Sgitheanach]

The next time we see someone wearing a kilt with a red/ginger wig will we take offence and call the police due to it being offensive to native Highlanders . I think if we did it would be us who were arrested!

[EyeCarntSpell]

As a Wicker living abroad I think the handwringing over this is hilarious.

Some girls dressed up as Golliwogs to take part in a gala, they didnt do it to make a racial issue and they certainly didnt do it to mock anyone with black skin. They were out for a bit of fun dressed as a symbol from a marmalade jar. So whats the fuss about ?? .. is it because someone was offended on behalf of someone else ??, to those people white knighting about with mock outrage because someone MIGHT be offended I say go outside and kick yourself in the head. Then do it again just to be sure. Oh what the heck, once more for luck. I used to post here years ago as Lord Flasheart and its sad to see the state that the Org has got in. It used to be funny and the posters had a sense of humour.

I suppose you outrage bus riding someone-might-be-offended lot should be upset at the two black actors who "whited up" for the film White Chicks, why aren't you pray tell ??, why no outrage over the bile spewed by Chris Rock about white people in his live shows. Well, I'll tell you .. because you're brainwashed politically correct sycophants who think that someone being offended, or even the slight possibility of being offended (not that you asked them) means you have the right to condemn and label three kids who are innocent of any malice in their actions. Get a grip. As for the professional outrage specialists like the "uman rites" lawyer and the professional offence taker from "Show Racism the blah blah blah" well what a shock, follow the money people because that lot rely on the industry of taking offence for their living,as long as the perpetrators are white of course as only white people are ever racist. Most of these "organisations" are populated by left wing student types who think three years of reading what other people wrote and agreeing with it makes them clever, twenty quid says most of them have never had a proper job. Ever.

I showed a lad I served in the forces with that article, he is as black as two in the morning (Oh I can just hear the blood pressure rising amongst the offence junkies but thats HIS description of himself) and he thinks its funny. He isnt offended, he just feels bad for the kids with this bunch of self righteous outrage bus riding idiots after them. Because most of the posts on this thread, the ones where people are running around with their arms outraised preaching away in mock outrage are just bandwagon jumping examples of the worst kind of embarrassing white knighting.

These kids were just being kids. They didnt do it to harm anyone, the only offence here should be taken by them because of the actions of the offence mafia. Oh, and if any of the Twitter Mafia are offended by any of the above, go right ahead ..... I'll be over here marvelling at the immensity of the toss I do not give.

[john33]

Very well put EyeCartSpell

[Scout]

So let's get this right, if I warn hitler outfit that would not be wrong? If I was marching with Alex Salmond out fit again that would not be wrong? All the above I have mention was complained about and been in the paper. There are parts in the world if you do not wear Veil and that is insult. I know people who think walking around the country in the nude, there is nothing wrong with that, but does that make it right. The fact is there is a law in place, you must not single some one out for their gender or colour and if someone has complained that triggerd inquiry, so the Police was in the right to deal with issue. If you see what was the outcome, no one was charged but suggested next time to make sure a little thought goes into it next time.

[Mr Z]

So next year the 3 teenagers could dress up as the KKK or would that open up another big can of worms