Anthropologie's racist candlestick

Anthropologie is at it again, this time passing off a racially insensitive knickknack as "whimsical"

Published January 11, 2013 5:34PM (EST)

      (Anthropologie)
(Anthropologie)

Anthropologie, the lifestyle brand and terrifying altar of whimsical femininity, is currently selling a candlestick that features not one but two racist caricatures. Stacked, totem pole-style, with JFK on a bell and a clown head resting on a snare drum, is a porcelain mammy doll and a Yellow Peril-style figurine. And because being completely clueless isn't cheap, this thing will set you back $398.

The "one of a kind antique" has ignited an Internet firestorm, and angry customers took to Anthropologie's Facebook to let them know that racist bric-a-brac isn't cute. (Oh, and Twitter wasn't any happier.)


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

MORE FROM Katie McDonough


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Anthropologie Mammy Stereotype Racism Women