Is my sentimental lawn decoration racist?? Very upset and not sure how to handle this situation!

Hi! So for context… when my daughter was 3, her dad/my husband died in a motorcycle accident. I was pregnant at the time, and shortly after I miscarried (Dr said probably due to stress from everything happening at the time). Anyways, a week after I miscarried, my friend convinced me to bring my daughter to this fall fest with her and her kids, where the children got to make scarecrows but stuffing donated clothes with hay, and a drawing a face on a stuffed pillow case for the head. My daughter told me that day she was naming her scarecrow “brother” so she could still hug the baby I lost. We have has this scare crow for several years now, and it just kind of sits in our yard, proper up on our porch railing… she goes out there and talks to him, and she hugs him every day and tell him she loves him. He’s pretty old, and the weather has not been kind so his face is completely gone now and his clothes are all faded. But she doesn’t care. He’s become a part of our daily routine, and he’s a very sentimental part of our lives. I also want to add we live in rowhomes with main roads on both our front and back yards, meaning he’s visible where ever we put him.

My neighbor knocked on my door recently and said my “white hooded scarecrow” is racist and they would like it removed. I tried to explain its significance and that it’s just weather worn and not meant to be offensive at all, but they didn’t care and made a huge scene. I tucked him in our shed for the night so the neighbor would leave, but was very rattled by the interpretation. I don’t want to throw him away, but I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable and now I just feel helpless and not sure what to do…. I’m scared if I bring him inside incase he has bugs. I don’t really want my daughter sneaking into our shed, where I keep my yard tools that are dangerous….if i need to get rid of him, how do I explain this to a 6 year old?

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.
Add a comment
Avatar

Can the outfit be changed so it's not got a white hood?

Avatar

I feel like seeing a picture of him might help but it doesn’t sound like he’s wearing a white hood? More like the pillowcase that has his face drawn on was white?
This doesn’t really sound racist and you’ve had it for years? Did this neighbor just move in?

Avatar

I think we need to see a picture to tell ya if we’d pass it and think it’s offensive.

Maybe change its clothes to not be weathered and or just put it up on the back or side of your house where it’s not in plain view? Maybe maybe a placard explaining it is in remembrance of lost loved ones & not meant to be of any offense to anybody ?

Read more on Peanut

Trending

in our community

No understanding

I was at a soft play with my 20 month old son today and there was a sand pit area.
My son was really excited and after a few minutes of being there he picked up some sand and threw it into the air. Unfortunately some landed on a boy playing next to him so I told him that we don't throw sand and took him out of the sand pit.
I apologised to who I think was the boy's grandma and she just shook her head angrily. I understand that sand can get in eyes and children need to eventually learn that we shouldn't throw it but I feel like some people show no understanding or kindness when its a toddler who clearly didn't mean to hurt anyone.
It also crossed my mind that the woman might be racist as my son isn't white and she was already giving off a bad energy.

Avatar

13

If you saw another child pushing your child and the mum wasnt doing anything what would you do?

This is in the playground

Avatar

24

Should I be annoyed?? Husband rant!

I've broken two fingers in my dominant hand. I can just about eat with my left hand and that's it. My fingers are strapped up and I'm in a lot of pain.

First thing my husband said was "you're still doing the housework tomorrow" I said thank you for being so caring and considerate.

Anyway I came home and he had done most of the housework but still left me to do the upstairs. Cleaning bathrooms, hoovering, dusting etc. It's taken me three hours as I had to stop and start due to the pain and my husband still managed to make snide remarks about the quality of my cleaning and how long it was taking..

Avatar

21

What does rhis look like?

My child has been at a nursery and has higher care needs than some of the children in there and is non verbal and 3 and a half years old. She isn't agressive and screams when people go too close to her alot in general. Never had any issues with nursrery and all the staff have always been great. Then twins started a few days ago and never thought much of it on day one she screamed when one come near her on pick up. The same day she had an unusual two very small rounded bruises on the top of her foot. Then today the staff said a boy scratched her and they had to move him away. I was very calm and fine as it was made to sound minor like more over excited and more like an accident in that type of way. I come home shes crying alot so i start running a bath as she loves water and waterplay put all the toys in and I see this mark on her. I'm not sure what it is but its more than a little scratch. I'm actually really upset as this must have really hurt her and she cant explain whats happened. It's actually made me scared now. I understand accidents happen and staff cant be at every child all at once but this is horrible. I also dont want to cause problems with the nursery as they have honestly bren so good with her. Also my younger child due to start there september and she has additional needs in a different way but cant talk and more physical/muscle and swallowing problems. What does it look like? A bite? An object ? What would you do next?

Avatar

14

Would you give your 5 year old baby food pouches, teething wafers, and yogurt melts?

I'm genuinely confused and kinda concerned why a parent would choose to do this when their child that has no special needs or dietary restrictions.

Avatar

33

Almost two year old playing with poop

I just need to to if this normal life little boys playing with their diapers, especially when it’s poopy he wears clothes where he cant get to his diaper but he ends up getting in there, and it not just his poop he like to play in the cat littler as well. I don’t know why but he does, and I don’t know how to stop it.

Avatar

10

Read more on Peanut