I may have told this story before, so forgive me if I repeat myself! I received a Gollywog for my 9th Birthday . . . .And Oh boy did I love that doll. He was beautiful and his name was Cedric. I think our family Jack Russel got a hold of my Cedric in the end but, my Mam never really explained all.
I used to collect tokens from the marmalade jars in the early 60's just to get a Gollywog badge. They were adorable things and I hankered after them at every opportunity.
Can you imagine my HORROR when many many years later I realised the signifance of these icons. I was SERIOUSLY shocked at the true meaning of them. It was only then that I kind of got a sense of 'the Black' frustration and anger.
My husband, who was in Durban in the early seventies on a BP tanker was saved by three local boys. They fished him out of the water whilst he was trying (triple vision) to get back on the ship, after a haircut and three Ganja joints (supplied by said hairdresser
There are BAD whites. There are BAD blacks. And, there is good in both too. Seemples.
My fear is; the media just seem to be overly focussed on certain subjects for a such an intense short period of time . .And they just WILL NOT LET IT GO. That's what makes peeps get overly tired of one specific subject . . . .instead of just discussing EVERTHING and ANYTHING.
Maggie B
PS I just hope and pray I don't have a racist bone in my body. . . . ???