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Shop owner defends stocking golliwogs

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 31 May 2018, 10:11AM
Dot Smith says that she has never received a complaint for stocking the dolls. (Photo / Getty)
Dot Smith says that she has never received a complaint for stocking the dolls. (Photo / Getty)

Shop owner defends stocking golliwogs

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 31 May 2018, 10:11AM

A South Island shop owner selling golliwogs says if a black girl can buy a white doll - why can't it be the other way around.

The Timaru Herald has quoted the Human Rights Commission criticising Oamaru's Riverstone Country Gift shop for selling 'racist' golliwog dolls.

But owner Dot Smith says she has white dolls on the same stand as the dark fabric dolls... and never put a connotation of racism on selling them.

"They've always been part of our lives like Noddy and Big Ears and all of those, before people got their minds twisted and decided to turn it into something that it's not."

Smith says she's never had a complaint, but received lots of messages of support.

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