I’m not racist, says shop owner after golly toy put on display
ONE of Birmingham’s oldest jewellers has defended himself following a racism accusation from an outraged customer who spotted a golly toy on a display.
Wesley Jones, who is of AfroCaribbean descent, walked into Roberts Jewellers, in Corporation Street, last week to find two ornaments which he claimed were racist and deeply offensive.
“One is clearly a golly and the other one next to it also makes a mockery out of black people,” said the 30-year-old, from Nechells.
“I reacted quite calmly, to tell you the truth.
“If I had told family members about it, they would have been absolutely outraged.
“It was as if the owner was proud of them. They were clearly on display and in plain view. It’s the ignorance of the shop- keeper which most, though.”
Mr Jones added: “He wasn’t apologetic at all and said he thought it was an American toy.
“The golly and other black toy were right in your face when you walk in. It’s not on at all.
“Everyone knows gollies are racist from way back. They’re associated with making a joke out of black people.” offended me
But jeweller and owner of Roberts, Daniel Johnson, dismissed Mr Jones’ claims his ornaments were racist.
He said: “I’ve been here since 1986 and this is the first time I’ve had such a complaint.
“Our previous manageress purchased them from eBay about five years ago and they’ve been here ever since. I don’t know what they are to tell you the truth.
“I’ve taken them down straight away. I don’t like to offend people and I’m sorry if I did but we’ve got nothing to hide here. I’m not racist. I want to keep the peace.
“For goodness sake, we’ve got Chinese ornaments, wooden ornaments of people. They were just on display to give the shop a bit of character, that’s all.”
The items have now been removed.