This picture was posted publicly on Twitter earlier this month.
Is it wrong to wear a native american headdress?
For those of you that didn't head about this, this is Christina Fallin, the daughter of Oklahoma's governor. She posed for pictures wearing a Native American headdress and got a lot of backlash for it.
So some people *who have nothing better to do* got really upset that she wore this headdress and posed for pictures. I don't see the big deal. When did it become taboo to dress like people from another culture? The native americans sure do seem to be getting butthurt over the smallest things these days. First it was calling a sports team "Redskins" and now you can't wear some feathers on your head?
I know, I know..I've read the opposition that says these are sacred ceremonial headdresses for ceremonies but what about wearing a replica headdress that is never worn or going to be worn in a ceremony?
Now why did they have to apologize? It's a replica of a headdress, not even a real one.
So now we can't dress our kids up as Indian Princesses for Halloween, wear a headdress for cute pictures or name out sports teams things like "Chiefs or Redskins". My dad bought my a pair of moccasins when I was a kid and I liked them, should we not be able to wear those either? Maybe the native american dolls that I inherited from my mom should not be shown out in public?
When did we become a nation of people that bow down to every angry word thrown at us and stop standing up for ourselves. I think I might buy a huge native american headdress and wear it on Halloween to give out candy.
I found one on Amazon for $45.00
And if I was a size 0 I could dress as a slutty Indian Princess. Or as Amazon calls it, Tribal Princess Native costume.
Come on, why this hue and cry? I quite liked the head dress, and if anyone wishes to sport it, let her!
ReplyDeletewww.volatilespirits.com
I do think the world is becoming overly PC about everything. Surely there are more importantly things for people to focus on?
ReplyDeleteIs it considered racist if I buy lederhosen and have my picture taken in them?
ReplyDeleteI think the racism is in the intent and in ignorance.
If I were to wear a costume associated with the Hasidim branch of Judaism it would be hard to justify the intent of that. And if it were blackface for a costume, she'd have been crucified.
After years of mistreatment and having their cultural heritage subverted, denied, crushed with attempts at even genocide, it is often the case that a group of people try to pull the emblems of their culture back to themselves in an attempt to say "This is our culture, it should be treated with respect, it is not a costume for entertainment or amusement."
And 50 years ago a midwestern tribe presented President Kennedy with a tribal head dress in a political ceremony, but this was a time before cultural consciousness had been raised. As a child we al had head dresses and tom toms and played cowboys and Indians where the Indians were the bad guys. Do kids do that now>
Is it an over reaction? I don't know. Is it perhaps a pendulum swing that has gone too far into political correctness? Again, it is intent and ignorance and perhaps it has something to do with whether she was like - "Oh look at me I am a sexy Indian."
BUT, I think it is a fine line that political, public figures would be better advised to leave uncrossed out of respect and to protect themselves. I know there is an adoption of these cultural emblems into the national psyche, and popular culture that has gone beyond where it can pulled back into the tribal culture entirely with out any dilution and sharing with non-aboriginal culture.
Where does the line get drawn? When do they say "no?"
It's not an easy answer, but things can be done tastefully
ReplyDeleteSeems with a PC world, everyone and their dog gets butt hurt over something
ReplyDeleteMany people are not able to differentiate between genuine attempts at learning and being part of another culture, and mockery of it. Or, many people don't want to differentiate.
ReplyDeleteI have to say this, Steph and Pat have given great insights.
In the words of Stephen Fry, “It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more...than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so f---ing what."
ReplyDeletePersonally, unless someone is going out of their way to deliberately be hurtful or to mock something, then I feel no reason to express disdain for it. We all have different thoughts and beliefs so we can't always avoid every single thing that could potentially offend someone. I don't see anything offensive about the headdress being worn. I thought it was a beautiful picture. Nothing derogatory about it in my eyes.
People wear headdresses for Halloween and not a word is said. I don't see anything wrong with it. Maybe she meant to honor Native Americans by wearing it.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely ridiculous. I roll my eyes so often at what is politically correct. EVERYONE seems to get their panties in a twist over everything. We've really become a nation of cry babies. It's sad to see.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely ridiculous. I roll my eyes so often at what is politically correct. EVERYONE seems to get their panties in a twist over everything. We've really become a nation of cry babies. It's sad to see.
ReplyDeleteAnupama- I agree.
ReplyDeleteShelley- I think so too but some people have nothing better to do than complain about everything.
Steph- While I do see your point and can agree with some of it, I really don't think that it should have been made as big a deal as it was. Native Americans and sometimes people speaking on their behalf not knowing whether they actually have a problem with it or not have been getting all butthurt and overly outtraged over the littliest thing. This past Halloween when kids were wearing Indian Princess costumes I saw more non Natives outraged over it then Natives. That says something to me.
Adam- Indeed they can.
Pat- My point exactly.
KK- that is very true and I agree about the comments.
Amy- Nicely said!
Stephanie- Oh but the halloween indian costumes did make a wave this past year because some people had a problem with it. Not really the Native Americans but others.
Anna- Thank you.
the P.C. world is driving me crazy.
ReplyDeleteWhat more can be said?
You know what - I really agree with you. I dressed up as a Geisha one year for Halloween and everyone loved my costume...and I had no idea that I was being "culturally insensitive". If anything, I was honoring Japanese culture...I so appreciate the beauty and skill of Geisha (they are NOT prostitutes, a common myth) that I wanted to emulate them for an evening. Was that wrong? I also have a necklace that was made and sold by Sioux Native Americans. If it is so insulting to wear Native American jewelry (including headresses), why do they sell them? I don't think the majority are upset...I just think some people, like you said, have nothing better to do. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteSusan- totally agree.
ReplyDeleteMarci- Glad to know I'm not the only one.