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Poll# 10

Posted By The Editors | August 14th, 2009 | Category: Is This Racist? | 2 comments Print This Post Print This Post

Is This Racist?

Costco, the mega-box store giant, reportedly pulled thousands of “Cuddle Me” toys—black baby dolls wearing a cap with “Lil’ Monkey” on the front, next to a stuffed monkey. The set also includes a half-peeled toy banana and baby bottle. According to news reports, some parents found the whole thing racist. The Costco website shows African American, Latino and white babies with a panda. The toy is made by Brass Key; a spokesperson for that company said the offensive meaning was not “within their realm of thinking.”

  • Yes (79%, 11 Votes)
  • No (7%, 1 Votes)
  • Not Racist, but Prejudiced (0%, 0 Votes)
  • I’m Not Sure (14%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 14

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2 comments
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  1. Arabella Grayson August 14th, 2009 1:49 pm :

    “The toy is made by Brass Key; a spokesperson for that company said the offensive meaning was not “within their realm of thinking.”

    Parents be aware of what messages you are transmitting and reinforcing when you buy toys that demean and belittle your child’s image. . . Children are indoctrinated into the culture through play. They come to understand societal expectations, and their prescribed role and place in society, first, through images and play.

    Whatever you choose to call it, racism, cultural conditioning, blatant insensitivity, it’s hard to believe that the management at Brass Key and Costco were not aware of how offensive this toy would appear to African Americans and culturally astute individuals. This country’s history of racist images depicting people of African ancestry as subhuman and ape-like is well documented. There was a time when the images were intentionally gross and ugly. Now many of them have been dressed up and prettified, but the message is still the same. It’s a sad commentary. . .

  2. Linda August 15th, 2009 12:40 pm :

    There is a long history behind equating monkeys with those we deem less than human. Irish immigrants were also depicted as apes 100 years ago, and African-Americans endure it to this day. Barack Obama was caricatured as Curious George during last year’s campaign. It’s unacceptable.