A toy at a New Jersey dollar store is causing much controversy for its offensive use and troubling resemblance.
According to NBC News, a black rag doll with instructions to “whack” it against a wall was taken off the shelves at a discount store in Bayonne, New Jersey after complaints were filed for its disturbing nature.
The “Feel Better Doll” —made of black cloth with red, yellow, black and green yarn hair— comes with instructions that read, “Whenever things don't go well and you want to hit the wall and yell, here's a little 'feel better doll' that you just will not do without. Just grab it firmly by the legs and find a wall to slam the doll, and as you whack the 'feel good doll' do not forget to yell I FEEL GOOD, I FEEL GOOD.”
Angela Knight, state assemblywoman for Bayonne, shared a press release to her Facebook page expressing her dismay about the matter.
“Racism has no place in the world and I will not tolerate it, especially not in this district,” she said in the statement. "When I saw the doll in person, I cringed and was truly disheartened by the thought of a black child being beaten by another child or an adult for pure pleasure."
Knight added, "To have a product depict or teach children that it is OK to hit another child, regardless of race, in order to feel good is sick. Dolls should be a symbol of love, care and affection."
Though the manager of the discount store, One Dollar Zone!, could not be reached for comment, the president of the store chain apologized, stating the dolls were sent along with other closeout items.
The “Feel Good Doll” manufacturer, Harvey Hutter, Co., is reportedly permanently closed.