oprah , australia and the racists

Oprah Faces Racism on Australian Trip, Has 'Mamee' Dolls Removed
As part of her Australian adventure, for some reason Oprah Winfrey thought it was important for her lucky troupe of 300 viewers to visit the Dafel Dolls And Bear Shop in Melbourne. Who knows? Perhaps this store has a cultural legacy that makes it of critical importance to visit when one goes to Australia. But Ms. Winfrey was shocked and disturbed when her producers discovered that this store makes some of its money by promoting one of the most unflattering stereotypes of black women in history: the mammy. Yet, she visited the store anyway. Hip Hop Wired offers a summary of what occurred:

An Australian store was forced to remove seemingly racist dolls called "Mamee Dolls" to prepare for a visit from Oprah Winfrey.

As previously reported, Winfrey and her audience on an eight-day Aussie adventure as part of her 'Favorite Things' segment give-away.

According to the Herald Sun, the talk show mogul and her 300 guests were scheduled to visit The Dafel Dolls And Bear Shop in Melbourne when her producers requested that the store's "Mamee" dolls be removed from the shelves.

The Mamee dolls show a dark skinned African-American woman with red lipstick, wearing a maid costume and a scarf around her head.

The store owner reportedly obliged and the dolls were removed.

see actual article and photos of the dolls: http://www.bvonmoney.com/2010/12/10/oprah-faces-racism-australian-trip-mamee-dolls/2#commentsInline

 

This was an unfortunate, isolated, vestige of racism in Australia. Oprah has been received better than the queen in Australia. Oprah stated that Australians have been about the friendliest and most respectful people she's ever encountered.

http://media.smh.com.au/entertainment/red-carpet/oprah-that-is-my-o-on-the-bridge-2094581.html

The Kid Rasta8)

 

Why ask for them to be removed? Allow people's prejudice to be a public example of their flaws so that they shamefully remove it on their own.

 

Rep added.

 

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8179041/melbourne-shop-pulls-golliwogs-for-oprah-report


A Melbourne doll shop has reportedly removed golliwogs from its window display after a meeting with Oprah Winfrey's production company.

PHOTOS: Oprah fans touch down in Sydney

The Dafel Dolls and Bears shop, located in Block Arcade where Oprah and her guests will be attending a cocktail party tomorrow night, withdrew the "Mamee" washer woman dolls to avoid offending the group, according to the Herald Sun newspaper.

The store owner has declined to comment on the matter after signing a confidentiality agreement wth Harpo productions.

"Oprah's people came… and yes, it was discussed," a source familiar with the agreement was quoted as saying.

"As a result, they won't have that particular doll on display. But there will be plenty of other gollies when they come through."

Golliwogs are offensive to Americans because of their perceived links to slavery and racism.

The golliwogs that will remain in the window display are more traditional versions of the dolls — similar to the toys enjoyed by Egyptian children when British troops occupied the country in the late 1800s.

A spokeswoman for Oprah declined to comment on the matter but Tourism Victoria said that neither it, nor Harpo productions, had told the shop owner to remove the doll.

Oprah flew into Cairns and then Hamilton Island yesterday on the first leg of her “Oprah Down Under” tour.


i like how they had to explain why the golliwogs are found offensive

 

A Black Brit knows what a Gollywog is but not a Black-American under 50 years old. Seems Oprah does not want controversy so to avoid drama they remove the offensive dolls especially it is on her final season.

 

Did they know it was racist? In the US you know the racist history of these dolls,minstrel shows,etc. But in places with very small African-American populations. They most likely didn't go through the same history.

 

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So...they'll just put them back on the shelves after she leaves. Not fooling anyone.

 

you know what annoys me more than anything....it's people who speak about things that they don't know. how bout you come down under...????? best guess is that you'll never leave america and not know anything other than what you've been taught

 

LOL. going to learn something new intimidates people and the truth is a pill people hate swallowing

 

Short answer is that Australia doesn't have the knowledge of the history of all these things. Everything is taken at face value and nothing is done with malice.

Doesn't make things right, of course. But I just think that a little slack should be cut in some places. 'Tis better to educate then to hate.

 

good point.

 

don't know how many people have been watching the oprah in australia bit, but i have been. now how many of you yanks want to come down under and experience our little island for yourselves...???

 

I know, right? It makes ME want to visit Australia and I already live here

 

I'll be there as long as you are...

 

lol..agreed...!!! i especially love the fact that she hung around toorak in melbs and said that was like a normal australian family. oh pulllease

any time smoothie...!!!

 

If this isn't a rhetorical question, then I don't know what is...

 

I avoided the Oprah in Australia episodes completely and am very happy that I did.

 

What? no! They're supposed to make you feel all patriotic and warm 'n fuzzy inside!

I :heart: Australia