Furor over Native American Fashion Costume

DavidSnider

I think it's more along the lines of the "American Flag Bikini" mentioned earlier. It's not about racism, it's about know-nothing corporations trivializing something culturally important.

For example, if they had a "Sexy Nun" costume the Catholic League would throw a fit.

rootX

I didn't notice a single mention of the word racism in the whole article.

But, just some people found it offensive which I find reasonable.

Integral

The super intendent of schools in Oregon has ruled that there can be no Native American references in High School mascots and name. My high school teams the Roseburg Indians, must change its name.

Evo

It would seem that they found the outfit disrespectful. I'd agree with that, that was a pretty tacky bathing suit.

WannabeNewton

Still doesn't change that people are way too sensitive. It is just clothing for pete's sake. People need to start getting offended at things that actually matter.

rootX

It's being human to give high respect for few things in your life and get offended when others disrespect those things.
Different people have different things that actually matter to them.

encorp

Native Americans are a people struggling to preserve their culture. Things like this water down their culture, by promoting their cultural clothing as every day use. Kids in schools sometimes wear these pieces since they are sold at popular clothing stores like H&M and other clothing stores aimed at tweens/teens etc.

It's like if these stores sold yamakas for kids to wear. Though I think that it's a little crazy to be too up in arms about it, I think it's important for people to respect cultural artifacts... and since Victorias Secret is lacking in the talent to create a truly artistic shoe piece and march it down the isle, I find it insensitive to usurp something with a lot of meaning to some people and parade it so meaninglessly.

Keep in mind, I know that VS does not sell these.. but if you've got kids right now, you probably are well aware at just how prevalent Native American headdresses are in their fashion world... also, remember.. not a single Native American complained when moccasins were marched down runways.. they are only upset with this because it has a different meaning to them.

WannabeNewton

Yes and I'm just saying it is quite pitiful that ethnic clothing is one of those things. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to companies in the US and isn't limited to just Native American clothing. When a company has to issue a public apology because a group of people were offended over the use of clothing then there is a real lack of priority present.

Drakkith

This is about as racist as a model going down the walkway in cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and with a bikini made from cowhide to look like a Texan. Well, maybe not racist exactly, but about as stereotypical.

Jobrag

I can't remember a similar row about the Native American / Indian in the Village People's video of YMCA, I'm not sure whether it's because we're more sensitive to things like this these days, or whether the internet gives the thin sknined a public place to air their outrage.

russ_watters

My understanding is that that was intentionally offensive.

Monique

What a nonsense. I could understand an uproar if it were a real war bonnet, but it isn't.

During the last Eurovision Song Festival the Dutch singer Joan Franka was threatened by the Real Indian Nation for wearing a Native American-style headdress.


This guy should also leave his headdress home at tonight's Netherlands-Germany soccer match?

russ_watters

It appears to me to be a recent phenomena and it includes college mascots as well.

Andre

Oh and, Niqqie, don't forget Zwarte Piet and the debates about it.

Greg Bernhardt

Apparently the war bonnet is of spiritual importance. Would it be accepted if a singer wore a pope mitre on TV as fashion style?

BobG

Now this is an overreaction. Using Native American references, especially in an area where Native Americans played a significant part of the area's history, is not offensive.

However, some team nicknames are pretty offensive. The Washington Redskins would be the obvious example.

Monique

Yeah, why not? Coincidentally coming Sunday many children and adults in the Netherlands will dress up with a mitre on their head. Should bishops protest?

"Saint Nicholas wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop's alb and sometimes red stola, dons a red mitre, and holds a gold-coloured crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top."