colonization,
Literally all you have to do is google image search "native headdress" and up pops copious amounts of pictures of pale faced light haired people sporting their "inspired" hipster headdresses they bought for a mere 25 bucks at urban outfitters.
No matter how many times cultural appropriation articles blip across your screen, it doesn’t seem to matter in the slightest when October rolls around. The likelihood of being familiarized with this term in a liberal college classroom is very high, but incase you haven't let me give you a quick lesson.
If you need a definition on Cultural appropriation, click HERE, or HERE... or HERE.
It’s mostly associated with white people donning themselves in Native American "inspired" garb, and calling themselves Indians. No no no, you are not dressing up as an Indian, you are dressing up as a Native American... and it’s not OK.
So what’s the problem? Dr. Keene, as you may know my fondness for her if you read this blog, puts it quite well in a post she wrote titled "But Why Can’t I Wear a Hipster Headdress?" among many others.
To put it simply;
Listen, from one caucasian to another, the problem is that when white people take the attributes of underrepresented, marginalized and oppressed people then use them for their own gain, it is continuously perpetuating the image of racism and superiority in America.
If your child wants to dress up as Pocahontas for Halloween, that’s a different story. Disney princesses are hard to debate with a 5-year-old. Perhaps use that time to educate your child on the history and culture of the Native American people, or whoever else your child wants to dress up as.
Use your best judgment and if you have to question it, don’t do it. Don't dress up as generic native americans for Halloween, don't proudly adorn yourself in some cheaply made knockoff head dress for your photoshoot, and please PLEASE PLEASEEE, stop calling yourself Native American because you think or were told your great great great grandmother was Cherokee (whom might I add aren't even indegenious to the area where we live)! If you want to argue about the fact that you are Native American, then take the initiative to get a DNA test and start tracking down your lineage so you can reunite and share the struggles of your people, don't only claim to be when it is convenient for you.
If you are still questioning what kind of message you (as a Caucasian) are sending in relation to cultural appropriation, see my article "We're a Culture, Not a Costume."
Until next time. - D💋
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AFFILIATE LINKS & CODES ↓
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https://share.fashionnova.com/x/NKprBC
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For the love of all, PUT DOWN THE NATIVE HEADDRESS!
No matter how many times cultural appropriation articles blip across your screen, it doesn’t seem to matter in the slightest when October rolls around. The likelihood of being familiarized with this term in a liberal college classroom is very high, but incase you haven't let me give you a quick lesson.
If you need a definition on Cultural appropriation, click HERE, or HERE... or HERE.
It’s mostly associated with white people donning themselves in Native American "inspired" garb, and calling themselves Indians. No no no, you are not dressing up as an Indian, you are dressing up as a Native American... and it’s not OK.
So what’s the problem? Dr. Keene, as you may know my fondness for her if you read this blog, puts it quite well in a post she wrote titled "But Why Can’t I Wear a Hipster Headdress?" among many others.
To put it simply;
- > Headdresses promote stereotyping of Native cultures.
- > Headdresses, feathers, and warbonnets have deep spiritual significance.
- > There is a history of genocide and colonialism involved that continues today.
Listen, from one caucasian to another, the problem is that when white people take the attributes of underrepresented, marginalized and oppressed people then use them for their own gain, it is continuously perpetuating the image of racism and superiority in America.
If your child wants to dress up as Pocahontas for Halloween, that’s a different story. Disney princesses are hard to debate with a 5-year-old. Perhaps use that time to educate your child on the history and culture of the Native American people, or whoever else your child wants to dress up as.
Use your best judgment and if you have to question it, don’t do it. Don't dress up as generic native americans for Halloween, don't proudly adorn yourself in some cheaply made knockoff head dress for your photoshoot, and please PLEASE PLEASEEE, stop calling yourself Native American because you think or were told your great great great grandmother was Cherokee (whom might I add aren't even indegenious to the area where we live)! If you want to argue about the fact that you are Native American, then take the initiative to get a DNA test and start tracking down your lineage so you can reunite and share the struggles of your people, don't only claim to be when it is convenient for you.
If you are still questioning what kind of message you (as a Caucasian) are sending in relation to cultural appropriation, see my article "We're a Culture, Not a Costume."
Until next time. - D💋
FOLLOW ME ↓
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mssoellegant
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mssoellegant
SC - https://www.snapchat.com/add/mssoellegant
Blog - https://www.mssoellegant.blogspot.com
AFFILIATE LINKS & CODES ↓
https://www.ipsy.com/new?cid=ppage_opensubs&sid=link&refer=ws5xn
https://share.fashionnova.com/x/NKprBC
https://glossgenius.com/invite/theglowmother
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