Wonky Donkey author under fire for song defending golliwogs

The author of the wildly popular Wonky Donkey children’s book is facing criticisms over a 2008 song about golliwogs. Craig Smith, author of Wonky Donkey, a children’s book about a three-legged donkey, is facing criticisms over a music video entitled “Gollywog Song”, which was originally posted online 10 years ago. The video, uploaded to Smith’s Youtube account, shows … Read more

‘Black Pete is a symbol of slavery, oppression, racism and ignorance’

British Caribbean documentary maker Jay Hall — who sat down with the owner of Dutch Delights and convinced him to do away with the blackface tradition — talks about Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, and its racist history. In November 2016, I was out in Birkenhead where I was living at the time when a vintage … Read more

Admitting Golliwogs are awful won’t ruin your childhood, we promise

Christine Ammunson is a Samoan New Zealander who was brought up on The Black and White Minstrel Show, Golliwogs and Little Black Sambo books. You’re allowed to let the past go without disrespecting those you love, she writes. As a kid in the 1970s I used to watch the BBC variety hour The Black and White Minstrel … Read more

Summer reissue: Real Housewives and the real racism New Zealand prefers to pretend doesn’t exist

A Black woman living in New Zealand talks about this year’s infamous episode of Real Housewives, and why it’s indicative of a broader racist culture in New Zealand we still refuse to acknowledge. Originally posted September 23, 2016 This week’s episode of Real Housewives has left many people shocked. They cannot believe that there are … Read more

Real Housewives and the real racism New Zealand prefers to pretend doesn’t exist

A Black woman living in New Zealand talks about this week’s episode of Real Housewives, and why it’s indicative of a broader racist culture in New Zealand we still refuse to acknowledge. This week’s episode of Real Housewives has left many people shocked. They cannot believe that there are white people who think it’s okay … Read more