Is this offensive? - Black Doll at Costco

[Mahogany Momma]

I just got an email about this Black Doll being sold at costco. Look at it and share your thoughts. Is this doll racially offensive? Or am I being too sensitive about racial issues? Lemme know...

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Updated video on issue:

[QueenNPractis]

I am not surprised at all. I don't know why people think that just because this is 2009 that racism doesn't exist anymore. Some folks really need to wake up and get real. This is not a fairytale world with a fairytale ending. Just because certain laws have been changed and our so-called president is so-called Black doesn't mean that the minds of men are different. Everything is done for a reason and everything is calculated. People want to believe that the world is better but is it really? Maybe some injustices are considered not socially appropriate but it's still alot going on that doesn't make the news. Don't forget that the media is bought and owned so you will only know what is broadcasted to the masses most times for real news you have to really seek it out. For anyone that saw this and thought "Aw, how cute." or thinks that it would be ok if a little white doll had a monkey too, get real. Whites history isn't ours and vice versa. There are somethings that are flat out tacky even if it wasn't meant to be offensive. Whites have never been referred to as monkeys. Not to mention the white doll said PRETTY panda. Come on that's psychology all day. Sad part is that there probably were Black families that bought it because they are naive and convinced that racism is dead. Boy oh boy.

[Shanda]

I definitely don't like it.

[Nikki]

Heck yeah, this doll is offensive. Lil monkey on the cap.

[Ramiyah's Mommy]

Yes this is offensive. Whoever came up with and sat on a board to approve this for marketing should have been intelligent enough to know that this is racist and offensive. The company and the store that placed this on their shelves knew better than this. I am starting to believe that nobody has any tact these days and say and do racist things and then pretend to not understand why what they said or did was not cool. I had a teenaged white waitress give my baby a stuffed monkey that she claimed she won out of a machine in the resturaunt. I did not act a fool, however I threw it in the trash when I left. I was tempted to explain to her that it was a nice gesture but she should think twice about giving a black person a monkey because most people I know would have came out of the bag on her. Maybe I thought wrong when I thought that in 2009 everybody should be aware of what is and isn't acceptable when dealing with people of other races.

[San]

At first glance, I thought no, not offensive. Monkeys are popular now. But I looked a bit closer and saw the baby is wearing a hat called "lil' Monkey", then yes, I find this very offensive. Why is the baby called a monkey. And why does the diaper fit the baby and the monkey. Not cool at all!

[Najah H.]

The white doll in the video is called, "Pretty Panda" so there's a clear distinction here. If it was a play on words, then maybe Marvelous Monkey or something but just "Lil Monkey"? No, this is blatant. Also, the youtube video details has a site in the comments: http://www.blackpeopleworryaboutthedumbestshit.com. Unfortunately I can't visit that at work but I surely will when I get home! This isn't a case of dumb ish...it's like, it was don't stand for something we'll fall for and get walked on for anything.

[Jocelyn Riley]

I HONESTLY BELIVE THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE NOT THINKING, OR MAYBE THEY ARE JUST COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE HISTORY BEHIND THE CONNECTION. IT MAY HAVE STARTED OUT AS A CUTE IDEA, BUT IT WAS DRIVEN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!

I THINK THE REAL INSULT IS NOT IN THE FACT THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS WITH A MONKEY BUT THAT THE WHITE DOLL'S HAT SAID "PRETTY PANDA", WHILE THE BROWN BABY'S HAT READS LIL' MONKEY...WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRETTY??

[Nappykat]

I think it's cute. The doll is gorgeous, and the monkey makes a cute lil playpal.

I wasn't offended straight off because I'm starting to question the things I find offensive. Taken separately, it's no big deal. But you put a monkey with any black or dark skin human, then the racial overtones are tremendous.

There is a 'maybe' to me buying this doll if I ever were to buy something like this. I rejected the breastfeeding doll with a resounding 'no.' So maybe that means I'm less offended by the monkey and doll than with the breastfeeding doll.

[Nappykat]

So let me get this crooked -

this doll could have been pictured with any other animal and it would not have been offensive? It's only the monkey (any type of monkey primate) that makes this offensive?

Or is there an aversion to black/dark people with any type of animal? I remember some small uproar a while back of Naomi campbell taking some risque pics with an animal mural (they were in playboy). And there some offense to being compared to animals ('she has the grace of a gazelle' or 'he's an animal in the ring!').

So to be on the safe side should we not advertised or talk about animals at all when it comes to colored people - especially black people?

And I know you're probably offended by my use of the word 'colored people', but I like it and I'm keeping it. I also like and use the word 'darkies' just so you know.

[Arkisha]

Its funny to me I think all kids act like monkeys .

[Jamilah Shakir]

In light of the recently intended comments about President Barack Obama and the reference to a monkey or an animal, this is also very offensive. Not only the relations with a monkey but also the intent is important. Marketers do extensive research before they launch a particular product. I am clear they put thought into this. In addition, the historical relationship of black people with monkeys, coons, etc, is offensive and intended to offend. Yes, the doll is very cute. They wanted to sell it. Monkeys are never cute to me, that is my opinion. There is nothing cute about them, they act silly and I guess they are clearly here as an example of how not to act. When I refer to someone acting a fool, black or white, male or female, and especially adults: I say, they were acting like a monkey, or I will say "his monkey ---".

I think the reference to black people was offensive and I wouldn't let my child play with it. As a matter of fact when my nine year old saw the doll in the package, her statement was "oh my goodness". This was before she heard my take on it, I just showed her and my son the picture of the doll and asked what they thought.

Now, on a serious tip, the pairing of Joeilson witha monkey would have been appropriate.

You can think whatever you would like is cute, thisisnot to me and many other people.

[DeNana]

I just saw the video update, and I am shocked. So, they did have a white doll, but she wasn't paired with a monkey? Who would have manufactures this without thinking of the damage it could do?

Another reason I am not a Darwinist/secular humanist. That line of thinking always lead to eugenics.