Is It Racist For A Non Native American To Don A Feathered Headdress?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2821242/Ellie-Goulding-s-Halloween-fancy-dress-sets-race-row-critics-saying-Native-American-costume-no-different-wearing-black-face.html

This just about sums them up, one has to ask, why do they continue to be so offended?

/// 'I never cease to be amazed at how easily people will take offence – and usually this is white, middle-class, Guardian-reading, sandal-wearing, politically correct do-gooders who are offended on someone else’s behalf. ///

/// The row comes just weeks after it was announced that Glastonbury will no longer allow Native American headdresses to be sold at festival outlets, in response to a petition. ///

[gness]

Whenever I attended the Calgary Stampede native Canadians were happy to share their ceremonies with us....that included putting headdresses on us as we danced.....they enjoyed it as much as we did.

[-Talbot-]

lol o dear..... ....go on give me some stick

[ludwig]

// cultural appropriation, //

The concept of cultural appropriation being wrong is in itself more racist. It implies that a kind of cultural apartheid is the way forward, and that to enjoy the art, fashion, food etc of other cultures is a kind of theft.

I said the same thing in another thread - No-one has a copyright on a culture. If a bunch of chinese want to start a morris dancing troupe, good luck to them.

[Gromit]

The arguement against wearing Native American headdress goes like this.

In Native American culture, he headdress and feathers have to be earned, rather like a soldier earns medals. Obviously, if I bought a Victoria Cross, George Cross, DSO and other medals and began wearing them inappropriately, people would take offence. The people who would be most offended would be veterans who had been awarded them for their bravery and courage. I would guess AOG would be outraged if some wimpy pop star thought it was cool to wear someone elses medals. Wearing a headdress that hasn't been earned is offensive to those who have earned it, like wearing someone elses medals is.

I am sure Miss Goulding meant no offence, so she wasn't being racist. When she was told why it was offensive, she made a donation to a Native American Charity.

These articles in the Mail are great when they are peppered with quotes from som back bench ignorant Tory bufoon.

This article may help

http://apihtawikosisan.com/hall-of-shame/an-open-letter-to-non-natives-in-headdresses/

[-Talbot-]

In Native American culture, he headdress and feathers have to be earned, rather like a soldier earns medals


http://diplomatist2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/royals-in-medals-6-prince-of-wales.html


Like some soldiers earn......

[mushroom25]

//If a bunch of chinese want to start a morris dancing troupe, good luck to them. //

do the Chinese not circumcise their boys then?

[sunny-dave]

Naughty Step, ~tablet~ :)

[DTCwordfan]

Darn, I had better take off those American undershorties then......

[anotheoldgit]

-Talbot-

I think your choice of royals was poorly aimed, apart from the decorations that goes with being heir apparent any other medals are worthily worn.

/// Charles undertook pilot training with the RAF, qualifying in jets, before joining the Royal Navy. He served on surface ships, before qualifying as a helicopter pilot with the Fleet Air Arm. He commanded the minesweeper HMS Bronington in 1976. ///

[janbee]

If I wear green on St Patrick's Day , even although I'm not Irish, is that also considered racist?

[2sp_]

It's all about intent.

If someone wears a feathered headdress with the purpose of ridiculing Native Americans, then yes it it racist.

If they are wearing it as part of a costume as you would wear a snorkel if you dressed up as a scuba diver, then no.

[DTCwordfan]

What military medals are awarded for non-service, AOG, as the Duke of Cornwall has never seen any active service, unlike his middle bro? Stamped out tin is all that it is when it comes to the KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO awards and more for 'Oh, I'm going to be a Kingy-thing when the mater goes to push up daisies.'

[ludwig]

// Wearing a headdress that hasn't been earned is offensive to those who have earned it, //

I'm pretty sure they don't have to be earned in Britain Gromit - I've seen them for sale in Asda. It's only if you're an actual native American you have to earn them.

It's like pictures of Mohammed. They're forbidden if you're muslim, but luckily I'm not, so I've got loads up in my house.

Interesting article nonetheless.

[naomi24]

More utter stupidity!

//Perhaps we need to ask a native American, rather than deciding on their behalf? //

I wonder how many of the complainants were native Americans? People who are so easily offended - and those who are quick to take offence on behalf of others - actively seek 'offence'. They need to get over themselves.

[Gromit]

Some more examples of Cultural Inappropriateness which the Daily Mail wrote about rather differently...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262467/SAS-fake-Roger-Day-sells-17-bogus-medals-eBay-386.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172437/Bogus-war-hero-masqueraded-distinguished-Royal-Navy-Captain-exposed-medal-ribbon-upside-down.html

[-Talbot-]

anotheoldgit
Question Author
-Talbot-

I think your choice of royals was poorly aimed,



I don't AOG

In Native American culture, the headdress and feathers have to be ..... earned,,,,,,,,, rather like a soldier......... earns........ medals.

[-Talbot-]

So what are his collection of 31 decorations for?

Unlike his brother Andrew, awarded the Falkland Islands medal, Prince Charles has not been decorated for active service in a war. Instead his honours are made up of awards for serving in a particular time or place, being a member of a high-ranking order or medals from other countries.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't have any issue with folk wearing a black face so long as it isn't done intentionally to offend. I used to like the Black & White Minstrel show. Good singers, beautiful women dancing in sparkly costume. So feather headdresses can be as non-racist as that if they wish.

[-Talbot-]

It could be seen as disrespectful, but not racists.

[douglas9401]

I asked a native American what his answer to the question "Is It Racist For A Non Native American To Don A Feathered Headdress?"
His reply?

How.