written by Anti-Racist Parent contributor Renee; originally published at Womanist Musings
Who wouldn’t want to buy a Black doll named little monkey for their little girl? What better way to reinforce the idea that people of colour are less than, than by giving a child a toy that plays upon the racialized meme that we are animals.
If this doll in and of itself, does not read as racist, perhaps placed alongside the White doll pretty baby, it will become obvious. [Editor's note: The white doll is actually called "pretty panda."]
Of course Costco did not realize that these dolls were racist, until it began to receive complaints from customers. They have removed the dolls from the shelves and issued an apology. A link to a video regarding this story can be found here.
How many times have we seen Whiteness act in racist ways only to offer a ridiculous apology? The damage has already done and no words will soothe the pain that has been inflicted. Whether it is watermelons on the white house lawn, or the above dolls, apologizing after committing what is clearly a purposeful, racist act is meaningless. Ignorance is no defense when a child of color must learn from birth to negotiate Whiteness. Ignorance is purposeful and is a result of unacknowledged, undeserved privilege. Simply learning 101 facts, in anti-racist theory, is not difficult if one chooses to learn.
Black women in particular are constructed as the ultimate anti-woman. Young girls often face troubling self esteem issues, as they confront the idea that White womanhood, is understood as the only legitimate form of femininity. As they struggle to find their identity and deal with racism, dolls like this can be particularly damaging. Isn’t it enough that our daughters don’t see themselves reflected in children’s programming, movies, or books, without placing more negative images in front of them to internalize?
Whiteness is purposeful and each day it acts in its own defense. Despite the great gap in power, Whiteness seeks to ensure not only the maintenance of the divide but that it increases with each passing day. I am not comforted by shrill denials, or fauxgressive thought; the reality of living as a racialized body in a White world means a life of continual “othering”.
There are those that feel that we should not speak about race. They are content to let objects like this doll exist without commentary because race is too difficult, personal, political, or controversial. That is an easy assertion coming from a body that will never be compared to an animal or called nigger. Avoiding the issue or declaring the world post racial, will not erase the bifurcation between White and Black, it will only cement Whiteness as the norm and therefore good.
This doll hurts my heart because it stands not only as a reminder of the racist state in which we live but the ways in which children of color must sacrifice their childhood by learning all to quickly how little they are valued. Our children have been ripped from our arms, systemically undereducated, raped and murder. In every possible way, they have been and continue to be violated. To Costco I say thanks but no thanks, your apology is of little comfort.
You know, lumping me in with the jackasses who come up with stuff like the White House watermelons is a bit insulting.
I’ve been thinking a bit lately about how everyone here capitalizes White and Black and AA (I usually have to read the entire article to figure out if that means African- or Asian- American).
Here’s the question: do you really think (or perceive) some kind of unified Whiteness acting out? In this article, you’re even practically assigning it sentience and positive action, which seems a little bit Bilderbergian to me.
Assuming you don’t really think there are some alabaster halls somewhere where we all eat Vienna sausages (can’t come up with a better stereotypical white food (: ), I assume you’re equating Whiteness with current (American) societal norms, right?
Just looking quickly at Costco’s site, their senior management has (presumably – this is all guesses given last names and locations) several women and non-whites (if you count Quebecois as non-white). That makes me think using some word other than Whiteness (or Maleness, given the cross-posting) would be more effective.
(I’m in no way defending those dolls, by the way – that’s pretty freaking ridiculous)
@dersk
I use the term Whiteness because racism is a systemic force in which those that are White exist with power over all that are of colour. Even the most anti-racist White person, cannot remove themselves from the privilege that is encoded to their bodies. Even if they do not actively seek to benefit from the racial discord, they will. When actions like this occur no matter the protest from anti racist Whites, all people who are White benefit, just as all those of colour are diminished.
I capitalize White and Black because when dealing with race critically, they are two distinct categories.
Unified Whiteness acting out? I am not sure about that. however, we do live in a society that, whether you want to admit it or not, does show a bias towards Whiteness. Does racism play a part in everyday life…absolutely. The fact that these things such as the dolls happens oh so too frequently, and the apologies only seem to come forth once the pressure is there from folks like myself and many others who find this so offensive. A few years back there were the dolls that Zellers had reminiscent of the rhyme. What about the typical bow and arrow sets that are sold with the “genuine Brave (fluorescent) feather”, authentic suction cup and all. None of these are seen as wrong or inappropriate, until someone complains. Now, here is the catch, when we complain, we are seen as whiners, people looking for issues where issues do not exists. We are told to stop living in the past, that was then. This is still then, and the simple fact that people do not see the harm these things cause, is the all too simple proof that not so much Whiteness, but the systemic and ingrained racism that goes along with it exists. As for your argument, given last names and locations..the simple fact that you can assume someone is a minority by their name and location…AND use that to justify your answer, proves it once again. I am by no means attacking you, but am just trying to point out the Privilege Whiteness gives. Women do not have Whiteness? Quebecois do not have Whiteness?
I just checked the cosco website, they now offer the only panda version- Caucasian baby with blue eyes, Hispanic baby, and African American baby.
After the offensive doll was pulled, they just changed its clothes and repackaged it to make sure they don’t lose too much money?
Crazy this world we live in, crazy.
**I’ve been thinking a bit lately about how everyone here capitalizes White and Black and AA…*
Wrong. I don’t. I have on occasion, but only when I’ve made a conscious effort to, because it doesn’t come naturally to me.
And who is “everyone here”, anyway?
I do understand that it is difficult to see this particular incident as an innocent mistake. However, as someone who grew up in without a television in a very white part of the country (Montana), there are many racial stereotypes I am simply not aware of until I hear or read about them. For example, I was not aware of any racial stereotypes related to watermelon (of all things!) until two days ago when I was reading Vegan Soul Food. I am still not sure what the stereotype is supposed to be. And I am aware that being ignorant of your own privilege is in fact one of the main privileges of being privileged.
I find myself resisting Renee’s characterization of this doll as a “purposeful, racist act,” because I’m having trouble living with the idea that people could be so purposefully ugly. But, on the other hand, I have trouble believing that the people who created this doll could have been THAT oblivious–I mean, you’d have to WORK at being that oblivious (NOT that intention really matters here–the doll is offensive, period). Then there’s the little touches like the “jungleized” sticker on the box of the black doll that contrasts with the unadorned sticker on the box of the white doll that seem far from accidental.
What strikes me most about this piece, though, is Renee’s anger and hurt. There’s a jaggedness and rawness to the writing that I really feel. It really seems worth noting that living in white skin protects us from this hurt of feeling like entire corporations are after us and our kids, and out to make us feel ugly and less than, and that they won’t acknowledge wrongdoing or make any gesture of restitution even when they are called to account.
On another note completely (more the WTF?? category): Does that sticker on the box really say “diaper fits baby AND monkey” ??
After reading this I want to discuss a few things I struggle with in regards to children, and racism reflected in their clothing and toys and such.
Just as a general statement many people refer to toddlers as little monkeys, being as they climb on the furniture and all. As I have matured and taken a more active role in stopping the cycle of racism I find my self avoiding making this statement about African American kids and bi and multi racial kids with AA parentage. At the same time I ask my self is that really necessary?
I have avoided buying adorable shirts and toys with monkeys (or other stereotypes) on them for those kids as well.
Then I stepped back and said you know the kid likes monkeys and basketball. And elephants, snakes, bears, cars, soccer, swimming, Hanna Montana, and Spiderman. The stuff all kids might like.
Now my approach is when a child is too young to have a personal taste I avoid stereotypical and, possibly racist (and gendered as well) gifts. When the child shows interest in the zoo and animals or in sports I go with that. Until then it is all gender neutral, simple, learning, yet fun gifts from me.
I know this is totally different than a monkey theme being paired solely with the African American option of doll. I’m just talking about a jungle tshirt, or stuffed animal marketed to everyone. But still I struggle to make a choice that will not cause playground taunts, that doesn’t perpetuate stereotypes and grow racism.
@Julia
For clearification
The sticker on the box of the white doll is adorned with bamboo. Also the monkey has a plush banana toy and the panda has plush bamboo.
Not that that changes anything…
Emily,
I totally obsessed about whether or not to let my son have a Curious George stuffed animal. I totally hear you.
@deesha – Fair enough, not everyone capitalizes the W or B. But it happens fairly often, and makes me wonder.
@Jude: Well, one of the senior managers was Ali (with an Arabic last name that I don’t recall at the moment). It’s perfectly valid to assume that I have Dutch heritage (or that Carmen has Dutch heritage in her family, even if her last name is also misspelled). And I don’t know if you know any Quebecois, but they definitely have a different culture.
I don’t at all mean this as incendiary, but I kind of think it’s funny that the white doll is a panda. An animal that, while may be cute, is generally regarded as fairly sexless and it’s population barely maintained through significant intervention and at great cost.
And yes, the “lil’ monkey” vs. “pretty panda” is pretty much outrageous, offensive, and (at the very least) bizarre.
Actually, you are showing the black doll from one line (little monkey – with white, hispanic, and black versions) and the white doll from another line (pretty panda – again with white, hispanic, and black versions). The whole little monkey line was pulled after the outcry.
Ugh. Just ugh. What I find hard to believe is that this doll got all the way to the store shelves before being pulled. I mean how many execs, stock people, store clerks had to have seen this? And no one complained? Disturbing.
Another aspect I find disturbing is that the white baby has a bottle, whereas the black baby has a banana. WTF? I agree with Julia, it does seem so over-the-top that one has to wonder if this is a product of total cluelessness as opposed to being intentional. But again, then why didn’t someone else see it and complain before it hit the shelves?
In regards to the term “Whiteness” – I understand that the author is using this to denote a systemic force as opposed to stereotyping all white people. However, I do kind of understand how this rubs the wrong way. I wonder if there is a different term that could describe the white privilege you are talking about that doesn’t ascribe a person’s skin color to a negative set of behaviors/beliefs?
Because isn’t that what we are all trying to avoid here?
Again, I’m not saying I don’t agree with the message, just wondering if the wording might be racially denigrading.
@ Emily – We’ve always referred to our kids as a group as little monkeys, too. I was raised doing it and it’s hard not to continue. I don’t use the same language specifically with my daughter (who happens to be black) on her own though.
It’s sad that Costco didn’t catch this and even worse that the doll makers didn’t. If it was intentional, well, that’s just disgusting. Yuck…
Actually, dersk, ARP’s policy is NOT to capitalize “White” and “Black.” As the editor, I try to (very loosely) follow Associated Press style. It is true that this way of writing “White” and “Black” may slip in to crossposts that I try to change minimally. It is not true that “everyone here” capitalizes these words.
…and I have to say that I am floored by the number of comments I have received (and deleted) accusing people of being “too sensitive” and “stupid” for thinking the idea of portraying a black child as a monkey offensive.
It occurs to me that it doesn’t matter that there is a similarly-styled white doll. There is no history of comparing white people as a whole to apes, gorillas and monkeys.
Now, the folks who are balking at Renee’s outrage claim that they have never heard of such a stereotype–black folks = monkeys. Again, I’m floored.
S.C. Republican official Rusty DePasse was all over the news barely a week ago for joking that a locally escaped ape may be one of First Lady Michelle Obama’s ancestors. Back during the 2008 election, Obama monkey dolls were seen regularly at McCain/Palin rallies and commented on all over the mainstream news.
When I first read about this story, I agreed with Julia that it may have been unintentionally stupid. But the more I ponder, I question how that stereotype could escape any store manager who isn’t being willfully obtuse.
It is all so sad that dolls, that are to teach children how to care for and love one another, are the topic of such pain of how real life people think of each other.
God created all of us and made us all different because that is what he sees as beautiful! Thank God for our uniqueness. I treasure my children (2 different races) more than anything! In our family our kids are the same. They are both loved for who they are and for the happiness and joy they contribute to the family. As time goes by we will teach them history with the point that history has shaped this world and it’s racial views. History has shown tremendous pain and horrible treatment of people that were viewed as less than others. History is just that, history. We can dwell on it or we can learn from it and take steps to improve the future. We teach our children that it is love, respect, and diversity that must mold the future. My children see me treating everyone with respect and love. It is a small step in the scheme of things but I want to lead by example.
“When I first read about this story, I agreed with Julia that it may have been unintentionally stupid. But the more I ponder, I question how that stereotype could escape any store manager who isn’t being willfully obtuse.”
You’re absolutely right, Tami. I hadn’t really thought about the responsibility of others, aside from the company, who could have prevented the doll from being displayed in the first place.
Maybe they should switch the two dolls around and have the white baby with the monkey and the black baby doll with the panda. Honestly, I wouldn’t have looked at that and given it a second thought. I can understand why some people may have just been oblivious. My mom called me a little monkey as an endearment when I was small because I was the type of kid who hung by my knees and climbed to high places and because I loved Curious George. I had a toy monkey that looked about like that when I was 3 or 4. I know more now about the sensitivities involved with this type of association, but it’s not one I ever heard when I was growing up, read about or heard in my very white state. To me, “monkey” feels like a cute name for a very small, cute child. Presumably the marketing director and whoever ran the focus groups for these dolls is out of a job at the moment. They want to sell toys, not get people stirred up. I don’t think this was deliberate.
i was very mad and hurt when i saw the lil’ monkey doll on a shelf at a dollar general store in va. it reminded me of being called little monkey when i was in preschool. i told myself the store shouldn’t sell a beautiful doll with a label/headband like that. that’s going to hurt many children’s self-esteem.
I can completely believe that the first person that came up with this idea for the doll did not know the racial context because I was 35 years old before I had ever heard it. But seriously, no one else in the loooong line of people that it takes this doll to get from idea to shelf stop to question it. Just boggles the mind.
Regarding FYI’s comment (#13), it makes a difference to me if there was a monkey line with black, white and hispanic dolls, and a panda line with black, white, and hispanic dolls, versus a situation where all the black dolls were monkeys and all the white dolls were pandas.
My nickname when I was a kid was “monkey,” and I’m white. “Monkey” is a common nickname for little children, and my black/hispanic son absolutely loves monkeys. I would never forbid him from pretending to be a monkey or refuse to let him wear a monkey shirt or what have you. But I’m certainly aware of the history of racist connotations, and I most definitely take issue with a line of dolls in which blacks in particular are labelled “monkeys.”
If the information from FYI is correct I agree with you Rita, the individual pairing compared to a separate line of dolls with each animal theme does make a difference.
I checked the cosco site for clarification before my first comments #4, #8, and #9. I didn’t want to overreact, and now I think I did slightly. Still this issue and other similar ones are all too common.
The news articles I read did indicate that there is indeed a white, black and Hispanic version of the Lil’ Monkey doll and presumably of the panda doll as well. It could be that there was only a black Lil’ Monkey doll in the store where the customer made the original complaint. Maybe the white versions of the doll had sold out or the store only received a few of the dolls and didn’t get all versions. It happens.
I have to admit, the idea of a line of “little monkey” dolls is amusing, when I think about my own “little monkeys”, who seem to feel they can’t ever climb high enough, or swing fast enough, etc, etc. It’s only seeing the cute little outfit on the pretty black doll that is disturbing, and then only because I know the ugly history behind that particular association. As a white woman, it’s an association I’ve learned but not lived, and that’s probably why I can look at “little monkey” as a term of endearment, and not derision. In my world, it always has been.
Now, I’m torn. On the one hand, I have to applaud that there WERE black and hispanic baby dolls. On the other, what kind of a cave do you have to live in to NOT recognize that very visceral threat a black mother would feel seeing a black baby, real or pretend, labeled a monkey????
This lil monkey shenanagan is absolutely intentional. I did my research and there is not a white version of lil monkey. That statement was made by exec. in an flimsy attempt to justify, rationalize and soften the unrepairable damage created by the manufacturer of the black monkey doll. Once again we have the spin doctors evading the significance of this unacceptable image of little black girls, by lying that there is a white version. There is no white version of this doll. If one shows up it’s because it will be created to confirm what is presently a lie. White people just don’t get that they offend, hurt and demoralize black people in this country all the time. They seem to be oblivious of their white privilege.
Becky: your comment is really well-meaning, but why the past tense?
Racism and prejudice are not some historical oddity (yet), and the historical past is STILL affecting us today. Therefore, it’s not a matter of making history “history” but of investigating the multiple histories that make up our society, good and bad. There are hirstories that have not been and may never been told, and part of our role as parents is to help our kids navigate and understand their own stories and learn from others’ stories. And that sometimes means acknowleging that even with the best of intentions, the institutions of our society are failing members of that society.
In this case, the free market is failing consumers (shocking) since the white ‘monkey’ dolls were evidently oversold or underordered, leading to the likely unintentional but still offensive pairing of a black ‘monkey’ doll and a white ‘panda’ doll. Something I’ve seen over and over again are white dolls overselling black dolls, even in mixed neighborhoods. And if there’s a sale, guaranteed in a white neighborhood the black dolls will still be there. Because heaven forfend a white child show positive nurturing actions toward a non-white doll. After all, it might affect how they see themselves as major players in society. Or it might just pull Mom and Dad out of their comfort zone. Either way, the black dolls wait on the shelves.
I’m basing the assumption that there were white, black and Hispanic versions of the “Lil’ Monkey” doll on this story in the Seattle Times that states there were three versions of the doll:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009664883_costco15.html
Costco. is based in Issaquah, Wash. The designer of the dolls is BrassKey Keepsakes, according to the article, and the CEO of the company states that this was not deliberate. The article makes it sound as though there are also black, Hispanic, and white versions of the panda doll that are still on sale.
Re: Comment #2 “When actions like this occur no matter the protest from anti racist Whites, all people who are White benefit, just as all those of colour are diminished. ”
I’m sorry for the late comment, but I just read this and felt compelled to reply. I’m white, I’m priveleged, and often oblivious, but I DO NOT benefit when others are marginalized. Racism hurts EVERYONE. An anti-racist world would enrich my life beyond measure, and benefit me in ways that I cannot begin to imagine.
This is a story that needs to be updated. I was shocked, offended, dumbfounded when I heard about this doll. I summoned up my righteous anger and let ‘em all have it.
And then the story dies down… and lo and behold, we learn some pretty important facts about what happened. Turns out there are three versions of the Lil’ Monkey doll: white, black, and Hispanic.
Does this let everyone off the hook? It does not. Someone, at some point, should have known that you don’t market a black doll called Lil’ Monkey.
But it’s not the same story.
I’m guilty of this. I become so angry over what I find and see reported in the news that I don’t bother to get all the FACTS straight first. We have an absolute obligation to get the facts straight. IT MATTERS. This does not excuse the doll, but the circumstances under which it was created and the company’s intentions do carry some weight.
And this is where we fail. We get angry, we post the story, and then we let it drop. Why haven’t anyone revisited this story? This is a story that needs updating.
Where are the updates?
To all who don’t know the whole story…
Actually, The “Cuddle me Baby” was available in six varietys. There were three races represented (Caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American) and two versions of each available (Pretty Panda or Lil Monkey).
Costco’s intent was to provide an option for all races to select the monkey OR the panda. Unfortunately, some misguided individuals pounced on this and decided to tell part of the story (you only see two dolls pictured in ANY e-mail blogs or news reports, that’s the picture the media wants to portray).
Why is it racist? Because adults tell children it is, so what are they to think? It must be! If we adults could all just get over ourselves and let our kids grow up together in mixed communities and not bias them with our own opinion, this would all go away!
Aye Jude. Let me inform you of something.
You, like most people of your race keep forgetting a very elementary yet key issue.
You are part of the majority. Doesn’t matter if you partake in all of the functions of the majority or not, you benefit from it from the moment you get up to the moment you lie down and sleep. So as long as you have your skin color, unfortunately, despite maybe you having no ill intentions, you are part of the massive collective that’s basically anally raped any colored person on this planet.
Yea you’ll fight it. Says it’s not true. Whatever. I’m black. I’m no coon. I’m no nigger. But who gives a shit. I’m black, so I’m lumped in with whatever reference being black has attached to it. I get no say so in the matter. I just have to live life my own way and look beyond the mess.
I suggest you get over your guilt (yea guilt, because if you feel some kind of bias against you for being white, then you should be aware that your white privelages have actually been flashed in the face of a colored person or two in your lifetime), because such is life my good man. We didn’t make the rules, this is just how it is. You don’t like it? You got the right skin color, go make a difference. I’ll wait.
(With the exception of comment #33)
This has to be the most intelligent conversation on race that I have EVER seen on any website.
I appreciate the openess & respect that everyone has demonstrated regarding such a volatile subject.
Gives me hope.