The fuss over the confiscation of a collection of Golliwog(g)s from an Essex pub that attracted the attention of the British Home Secretary, belies the positive nature of the original children's book character that became the inspiration for a popular rag doll and, in the UK, a Robertson's jam mascot.
In case you are wondering, Florence K Upton's The Adventure of Two Dutch Dolls and a 'Golliwogg', is not a porn movie (as far as we know) but an illustrated children's poem published in 1895.
Then all look round, as well they may
To see a horrid sight!
The blackest gnome
Stands there alone,
They scatter in their fright.
With kindly smile he nearer draws;
Begs them to feel no fear.
"What is your name?"
Cries Sarah Jane;
"The 'Golliwogg' my dear."
Their fears allayed--each takes an arm,
While up and down they walk;
With sidelong glance
Each tries her chance,
And charms him with "small talk".
One of few toys in the past that actually had a 'black' face, it's doubtful that many children who actually owned a golly thought of them as somehow inferior or as some kind of 'minstralized' representation of coloured people, even if they were old enough to watch shows like 'The Black and White Minstrels' on British TV.
The racialization of 'gollys' is almost certainly due to the association with the offensive term 'wog' that surely originated from the British Army. 'Wog' probably originally referred to 'workers on government service' or 'western oriental gentleman' both of which, in their shortened form, became a term of abuse, that could be applied to practically any non-white person or even anyone with a sun-tan.
'Wog' is a similar term to 'cracker' that is also a term of racial abuse and originally referred to poor Southern whites. It's not clear whether 'cracker' refers to living off crack-corn, whip-cracking or ass-cracks. Whatever, it's not a compliment.
However, FNN has learned that a leading toy manufacturer is considering launching a range of new rag dolls that drop the offensive term 'wog' and instead preface the word with a more up to date prefix, for example:
Groomin Golly - the accessory range includes an unlicensed taxi, alcohol and a backstreet buy-to-let house
Gangsta Golly - accessories include a black Range Rover, a lap-dancer and a Glock
Ganga Golly - accessories include packs of papers, plants and zip-lock bags
For racial symmetry, this range is to be complimented with a new and exclusive range of 'cracker' dolls:
Karen Cracker - accessories include an SUV, an assault rifle and extra-tight camel-toe leggings
MAGA Cracker - accessories include an SUV, an assault rifle and a red baseball cap
ANTIFA Cracker - accessories include an SUV, an assault rifle and a black combat suit
A spokesperson for the toy manufacturer told FNN:
Our new dolls truly capture the zeitgeist of modern society and offer a new generation of children the role models they sorely need. Imagine the fun that children can have using our extensive range of accessories to create their own fascinating 'golly' and 'cracker' worlds! Barbies and Action Man are truly the toys of a bygone past.
Well. OK then.