Furor over Native American Fashion Costume

  • Thread starter Vorde
  • Start date
In summary, there has been a scandal surrounding a costume worn by a model in the Victoria's Secret fashion show, which has been accused of being racist due to its use of Native American headdress and ornaments. While some argue that the costume is not racist, others point out that it is a violation of customs associated with the headdress. The controversy has sparked discussions about what is appropriate to dress up as, and some have criticized the trivialization of culturally important symbols by corporations.
  • #1
Vorde
788
0
I have become aware of a scandal that has developed in the last couple days regarding a particular costume in the Victoria's Secret fashion show (which happened this week I think), and I was hoping some people could help me understand parts of it. I'll link to pictures of the costume in question at the bottom of my post, but the gist of it is that a model wore a Native American headdress and Native American ornaments as her costume. Since then, there has been a huge reaction to the costume, with allegations of racism causing Victoria's Secret to issue an apology and for the costume to be removed from the line and subsequent airings of the fashion show.

The thing is, I just don't see why the costume is racist. I've looked into this a bit, and apparently one of the ornaments the model was wearing has religious significance, in which case I understand calling the costume blasphemous, but not racist. Were the costume done in a mocking or satirical way I think I would be much more likely to see racism in it, but seeing as it is not, I just don't see why it is racist.

I'd love if some people could share their views and help me see what I am not seeing.
Thank you.


http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/olivia-bergin/TMG9672704/Victorias-Secret-apologises-over-American-Indian-outfit-in-catwalk-show.html
(I think it's SFW/safe to post on these forums - but considering it is Victoria's Secret I'd take heed)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Wooshka!

What were we talking about again...?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
People are over sensitive.
 
Last edited:
  • #4
I'm not really seeing the racism here...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #5
I'm not quite sure it's correct to say wearing the headdress was racist.

It was, however, a violation of the customs associated with the headdress.

This would be similar to if she had instead appeared in a bikini made from a US flag (the US flag should never be used as apparel, bedding, curtains, or as a covering for a ceiling). While a bikini made from a US flag is a violation of customs, it would be an exaggeration to say wearing it would make the model un-American.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #6
I'm not going to buy my underwear there anymore.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #7
It isn't racist. This country is filled with over - sensitive cry babies who have no satisfaction in life so they try to make a controversy out of every mundane thing. God bless America.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #8
Looks more like an homage to Indians to me.
Funny how the line between homage and racism is a thin one.
This would be similar to if she had instead appeared in a bikini made from a US flag (the US flag should never be used as apparel, bedding, curtains, or as a covering for a ceiling). While a bikini made from a US flag is a violation of customs, it would be an exaggeration to say wearing it would make the model un-American.
Yes, but the headdresses are meant to be worn.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #9
leroyjenkens said:
Looks more like an homage to Indians to me.
Funny how the line between homage and racism is a thin one.

Yes, but the headdresses are meant to be worn.

Not by women apparently, regardless of whether or not that is sexist.

I'm glad I'm not alone here though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
lisab said:
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?

Seems fine to me, actually...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
lisab said:
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?
I see nothing wrong in dressing up as any of these things. I would rather see those than the costumes of the hundreds of teenage \ adult women consisting of the most skimpy, inappropriate clothing one can conceive that I usually see. Regardless, in the end it is just clothing and I find it sad the people mentioned in the article make such a big deal out of it. Don't they have anything better to do with their lives?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
lisab said:
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?

Ghaddafi. :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
Vorde said:
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/olivia-bergin/TMG9672704/Victorias-Secret-apologises-over-American-Indian-outfit-in-catwalk-show.html
(I think it's SFW/safe to post on these forums - but considering it is Victoria's Secret I'd take heed)

It looks like a nude festival.
I guess, many American people who are not Native American may consider the native as poor farmers; those with outdated ideas, thoughts, etc. They act as if they never had their past lives, perhaps they would never have any.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #15
lisab said:
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?
All of those are fine because there are few enough in the US that they are unlikely to complain.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #16
Funny how no one seems to take offence that they're *still* referred to (and often referring to themselves) as "Indians".

One of my favourite quotes is from the movie "Quiz Show": "They're "Indians" because some white guy got lost." :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #17
lisab said:
OK to play devil's advocate: What is OK to dress up as, like for Halloween:

A Chinese peasant farmer?
A Bedouin?
An African tribesman?

So it seems no one has any issue so far. Let's take it a bit further, as a thought experiment.

A Chinese peasant farmer - would you use those fake teeth cartoonists used to portray people of Asian decent in the 1950s? Would you alter your eyes?

A Bedouin - would you make reference to having a harem of women, or a bunch of camels? Would you joke about being illiterate?

An African tribeman - would you darken your skin? Wear a grass skirt and carry a spear?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #18
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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #19
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.
"Being a American Indian woman and mother, I am disgusted at the recent picture of your non-Native model dressed inappropriately with a war bonnet on her head, not to mention all the other culturally wrong messages this image sends to the world" wrote Charlene Hunt.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #20
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.
 
  • #21
It would seem that they found the outfit disrespectful. I'd agree with that, that was a pretty tacky bathing suit.
 
  • #22
Evo said:
It would seem that they found the outfit disrespectful. I'd agree with that, that was a pretty tacky bathing suit.
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.
 
  • #23
WannabeNewton said:
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.
It's being human to give high respect for few things in your life and get offended when others disrespect those things.
things that actually matter
Different people have different things that actually matter to them.
 
  • #24
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.
 
  • #25
rootX said:
Different people have different things that actually matter to them.
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.
 
  • #26
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.
 
  • #27
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.
 
  • #28
lisab said:
A Chinese peasant farmer - would you use those fake teeth cartoonists used to portray people of Asian decent in the 1950s?
My understanding is that that was intentionally offensive.
 
  • #29
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.
media_xll_1136339.jpg


This guy should also leave his headdress home at tonight's Netherlands-Germany soccer match?
Oranje_Indiaan.jpg
 
  • #30
Jobrag said:
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.
It appears to me to be a recent phenomena and it includes college mascots as well.
 
  • #31
Last edited:
  • #32
Monique said:
What a nonsense. I could understand an uproar if it were a real war bonnet, but it isn't.

Apparently the war bonnet is of spiritual importance. Would it be accepted if a singer wore a pope mitre on TV as fashion style?
 
  • #33
Integral said:
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.

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.
 
  • #34
Greg Bernhardt said:
Would it be accepted if a singer wore a pope mitre on TV as fashion style?
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."

10016832gr.gif

http://www.youngmindz.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sinterklaas.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #35
Funny how no one seems to take offence that they're *still* referred to (and often referring to themselves) as "Indians".
I call them American Indians because the name "native American" is inaccurate. I'll gladly call them whatever name they referred to themselves as, but I haven't heard one yet.

I have an American Indian friend who calls himself Indian.
 

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top