‘We Cannot Be Racists In Good Faith-There Are No More Excuses For Ignorance.’

Golliwog dolls are an unacceptable relic of hate, that have caused endless trauma, damage and pain.

Havering activist and campaigner for human justice and equality for all-Ruth Kettle-Frisby today shares her thoughts on how a pub landlady in Grays who is proudly displaying a series of golliwog dolls in her pub window despite having the first set already removed by police officers, is clearly causing visible distress in the local community.

If recent years have taught us anything it’s that racism isn’t what we once thought it was.

It’s not just about explicit physical and verbal abuse; racism is firmly embedded in our history and our culture; our structures, systems and processes.

We’ve been dehumanising black people throughout our history, and we’ve been doing so in all walks of life, you name it: in education, medicine, psychology, academia, the arts, children’s stories and toys…

We have exploited, abused, dehumanised and excluded our black friends and siblings, and this has caused ongoing trauma, damage and pain.

If you still don’t know why golliwog dolls are unacceptable relics of hate, it’s time to face facts – even if doing so destroys the comforting narrative you’ve grown up with since childhood.

My message to this white woman and others who share her racist outlook: we cannot be racist in good faith; there are no more excuses for ignorance. While mistakes are inevitable and help us to learn and grow, calling out racism and committing to unravelling structural racism starts in our own hearts.

All we have to do is to let go, to open our eyes, and to listen to people of all ethnic groups.

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