Owners of a store in Queensland have defended their decision to sell controversial dolls and insisted that they are not racist.

Speaking to Gold Coast Bulletin, one of the co-owners of Avalon Home and Gifts boutique store said: “I have a collection of golliwog dolls, I have also bought them for my own grand-daughter.”

She added: “Kids love them, and they are not racist, adults are… I think it is (the criticism) just petty.”

The golliwog toy became popular throughout the 20th century and has become a symbol of racism because of its depiction of people of color.

It originally came from an 1895 children’s book titled The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg by British author Florence Kate Upton.

In the book, the doll was described as “a horrid sight, the blackest gnome.”

Activists are regularly trying to stop the sale of controversial dolls. In 2018, Indigenous advocate Henrietta Marrie said that it was shocking that many stores continue to sell the items in this day and age.

She told ABC via EuroWeeklyNews at that time: “It’s a huge problem and it’s laughable this is happening in the 21st century.

“It’s the look and connotation which sends a negative message. It is insulting and gives a negative image about who we (Indigenous) are as people.

“Let’s get them off the shelves and educate people as to why we’ve done that.”

African-British writer Hannah Pool also said that the dolls were racist. She wrote in The Guardian: “Let’s get one thing clear from the off: the term golliwog is offensive.

“Whether you use it public, in private, on-air, or in the green room, no one in their right mind cannot be aware that this is a derogatory term to describe black people.

“But unless you have been spat at, kicked or had eggs thrown at you, all while being called that hateful term, it is unlikely you will ever understand why a small doll causes such a big fuss.”

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