Golliwogs are dehumanizing caricatures of Black people. These rag dolls have big red lips, frizzy hair, and oversized white teeth. The golliwog was originally a character in a series of storybooks in late 19th-century England.
In 1895, Florence Upton illustrated her children’s book, The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls, hoping to use the proceeds to attend art school. She drew the golliwog, based on a doll she had played with as a child, and the money rolled in.
Since Upton never trademarked the golliwog, it entered the public domain and quickly became a staple in British culture. In addition to being a toy, the golliwog appeared on household items like clocks, jars, jewelry, greeting cards, clothing, candy, and even in advertisements.
This changed with the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998, which criminalized expressions of hostility to racial or religious groups. Laws don’t change attitudes, though, as many Europeans have fond memories of growing up with golliwogs. However, their enjoyment was rooted in racism, and there’s nothing cute about that.
The mere existence of golliwogs proves that anti-black racism is universal, borderless, and etched across hearts and minds. What are we teaching future generations about the true nature of such hatred and violence?