ORLANDO, Florida -- Wholesale giant Costco is pulling thousands of dolls from its store shelves after parents complained that the toys are racist. The "Cuddle with Me" doll features an African-American baby that comes packaged with a plush monkey. A cap on the baby doll has the words "lil' monkey" on it. Many parents expressed disbelief that the doll was being sold. A Costco spokesman said he regrets that the product offended anyone. The store said it's pulling the dolls from all of its stores. Why are people offended?"At best, this, to me, exhibits someone without a sensitivity to some of the background within the country to which he or she lives,"said Gwendolyn Bookman, director of Global Studies at Bennett College. "When I look at this, I don't personally find it offensive. But, again, with today's climate and politically-charged issues, I can see how other folks could take offense to it," said Doug Carter.He and his wife, Caroline, said they call their own children "monkeys.""It's one of our many little cute pet names for them. And, that's probably part of the reason why we don't see anything necessarily wrong with it just on its face," he said.Bookman said the "Lil' Monkey" label is a reminder of racist remarks in the past comparing African Americans to monkeys."We have an obligation, I think as citizens of this country, to be aware of our history and to be aware of the kinds of things that raise concerns for those of us who live in this society," she said.What other versions were available?Art Jackson, the vice president of general administration at Costco,said there were also Caucasian and Hispanic versions of the doll packaged with the monkey. All three wore hats that read, "Lil' Monkey." All three versions have been pulled from shelves. "There are sensitivities that perhaps should have been understood," Jackson said. "We did not intend to offend."The designer of the toy, The Brass Key, also makes a similar doll that includes a panda in the package instead of a monkey. The panda products remain on the shelves. The panda is sold with Caucasian and African-American dolls, Stafford said. The doll wears clothing that reads, "Pretty Panda."What is reaction from the doll's maker?"Somewhere along the production line of this doll, whether it was in the store, at the manufacturer, or somewhere, someone should have noticed that this was potentially going to be a problem," Bookman said."Whoever came up with the concept of the idea, obviously hasn't been paying attention to current day politics," Carter said.Mary Gustaff, CEO of The Brass Key, said her company did not intend to offend anyone."It's not within our realm of thinking," she said. "We just don't think like that."She apologized that the doll offended some people. Her company is a family business in its third generation, Gustaff said.The Seattle-based company employs young, diverse people, she said."We're good people," Gustaff said. She called their products, "Sweet, pure items."The company found out about the complaint more than a week ago. She said the product had not been for sale at Costco long."We certainly won't do this again," Gustaff said, referring to the controversial design./>
