h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: By Golly it's the history of Golliwogs - A50831787
Author: Opticalillusion- media mynx life would be boring without hiccups - U231227

This Entry was picked to go into the Edited Guide, but the BBC Editors then changed their minds, and we, the h2g2 Guide Editors agree with them.

This entry isn't quite ready to be published yet, as it doesn't really address the single most important issue about golliwogs, which is their total unacceptability today due to their in-built racism.

The entry mentions racism in passing, but we feel it should be more the central issue of the entry.

So we're moving this over to the Flea Market, where someone may take it on and do the necessary changes to address these issues.

I would like to take this over, if no-one else has picked it up


lil x

I would take it on, only the blasted filther is locking it out

And so it begins , an article whose focus is shifted because the powers that be don't want to be called racist. This political correctness trampling on the vision of the original researchers is just the beginning.
First they came for the Communists- I didn't speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists - I didn't speak out because I was not a trade unionist. -then they came for the Jews - I didn't speak out because I was not a Jew
We all know how this quote from Martin Niemuller ends.
Is this the road we want the new hootoo to go down. It is a slipry slope.
Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14
NKJV

Next to lose edited status I suppose will be A52963914 Little Black Sambo.

Shagbark, this Entry was never published. It has not been demoted, it was put into the Flea Market for a good reason, ie to have a little bit more work put into it. This is because the Guide Editorial team consider it worthwhile rescuing. We are delighted to see that lil feels like taking this on.


I would suggest, lil, a short paragraph considering why golliwogs are unacceptable these days as toys for children, which appears to be missing.

You will probably see other places where you can add in a little extra here and there, and the original contributors may come back to help along.

good luck with this rescue!

h2g2 Editors

Thank you!


lil x

I have heard of articles being put in the flea market from PR but I clearly remember seeing this article in Coming UP. You are not going to convince me it was not demoted (although it might have been demoted by the BBC rather than by you).

h2g2 search informs me the versionfrom sub-editor Optical illusion had 26% of the selection and the version from sub editor nother had 38% of the selection. Why would an article that had not been demoted have two versions?

I guess the lesson I take from this is I should never consider one of my articles "approved" until it hits the front page.
I am glad lil is willing to rescue this article- I just hope the third time is the charm

This article was not "demoted". It never got as far as published. After it had been accepted by the BBC Editors, they had another look at it and changed their minds, deciding that it needed more work. But they were too busy to get around to doing anything about it. So it was left in that state until we took over. We agree that it needs more work, which is why it is now in the Flea Market.

We're delighted that lil has offered to work on it.

lil, did you manage to sort out the problem with the filter or do you need help with that?

You should now be able to copy the entry.

Just wondering how you are getting along with this, Lil? As you probably know, there's a special offer on Flea Market Rescues at the moment

First version's Article: A47593399
Flea Market Thread: F74125?thread=6527640

<BB<

Hi BB,

Apart from checking facts and gathering more information, I've not actually done much with the entry.

If you wish to take it over, please be my guest


lil x

I wasn't hinting that I wanted to take it over (I've got my hands full with article writing at the moment and I don't know what I'd do with it, other than possibly mention an episode of Extras, and wasn't there a jam company?) but was generally curious how you are getting on with it.

<BB<

The Golliwog Entry needs very sensitive writing to address the issues that the subject raises. Although there should be light-hearted remininscences, we should not lose sight of the fact that golliwogs are an emotive subject and raise the spectre of unacknowledged racism.

An opening paragraph to open up this side of the debate is what the Entry requires, at least.


By the way BB, the jam was Robinsons, and for years you could send away for enamelled badges.

I'll keep hold of it for now


lil x

I hope I did not inadvertently give the impression that I was unaware of how sensitive this topic is. I agree that it does need to be written very diplomatically and should raise the important issues responsibly. I feel that h2g2 shouldn't ignore or walk away from sensitive issues but should be aware of them and address them in a fair, balanced view (childhood toys symbolise innocence, yet innocent racism is still promoting racism, even if inadvertently). It can't all be about Jam and Enid Blyton.

As I have a habit of accidentally putting I am happy for it to be dealt with by someone better suited to it than me, and Lil is ideal.

<BB<

BB, in no way was I suggesting that you were unaware of the reason this Entry has been shelved. I just wanted to make the reasons, to everyone, totally transparent. I'd really like to see this Entry on the FP, for the reasons you admirably stated - that we should air controversy and be able to put both sides of any difficult subject. In the spirit of h2g2

...and besides that, we'd already commissioned Artwork for this piece.

Sorry if I sounded harsh. I should preview my posts and reduce the sternness quotient.

Lanza