Controversial Monkey Dolls Spark Racism Debate in Southern Spain
In a recent event in southern Spain, a stall at the San Pedro Feria in Marbella has stirred up a racism debate. The stall was selling peculiar dolls that depicted monkeys dressed in baby clothes. These dolls were displayed alongside dolls that predominantly represented black children. This arrangement led to accusations against the seller, suggesting a deliberate comparison between black people and monkeys, a racist trope that has been prevalent for centuries.
Public Reaction to the Controversial Dolls
The incident sparked a mixed reaction from locals and British expatriates. Some argued that the stall also had a few white baby dolls and accused people of looking for reasons to be offended. A British expatriate, who was visiting the Feria, expressed shock at the sight of the monkey dolls placed next to mostly black dolls. The expatriate, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the display was in poor taste, even if there was no ill intention behind it. The expatriate also mentioned seeing another monkey dressed as a baby in a nearby bazaar shop, which they found strange.
Online Debate Over the Monkey Dolls
The debate escalated online after an Instagram post shared an image of the controversial stall on a local social media page. One user commented that the monkey dolls were racist because their palms were lighter, unlike real gorillas which are entirely black. They suggested that this detail revealed the inspiration behind the creation of these dolls. However, many Spanish locals responded to these accusations, claiming that people were overreacting. They argued that the stall sold white babies, black babies, and baby monkeys, and that the only racism was in the minds of the accusers.
Spain’s Struggle with Racism
Spain has been criticized in recent years for its failure to effectively address its racism problem. The issue was highlighted earlier this year when black footballer Vinicius Junior was subjected to monkey chants outside the stadium following his team’s loss to Valencia. Videos shared online showed effigies of him hanging from a highway bridge, prompting a hate crime investigation by the police. Spanish traditions also continue to cause controversy each year, with Three King’s Parades around the country each January featuring at least one man wearing blackface to portray Balthazar.
