I was waiting for my connecting flight at Chicago O’Hare, and spotted this advertisement on the opposite side of our gate. Close up on the text: It reads: “Chicago is the Potawatomi word for onion field. Apparently, the Potawatomis didn’t have a word for global business center.” This is an example of the use of Indigenous language and imagery that …
Wisconsin Bans Indian Mascots!
As of this week, schools in Wisconsin using race-based mascots can be fined up to $1,000 a day. This law has been a long time coming, the first form of it was presented to the state over 30 years ago. The way the law works is that parties can submit complaints to the state, and after a hearing, if the …
Savage, Farting Maoris and "The Wives of Henry Oades"
As I was scanning the pile of new releases at the local library, my eye caught a line on the back of a book called “The Wives of Henry Oades.” The paragraph ended with: “…the native Maori stage an uprising, kidnapping Margaret and her children.” You knew that book was coming home with me. Quick synopsis (taken from the back …
Disney Appropriation–"Injun Donald"
One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn’t belong…let’s see: Minnie Mouse, Tom Sawyer’s Island, Fantasmic Logo…In’jun Donald?! Reader Audra sent over this image, taken at Disneyland, of the side of the penny-stretching machine (remember those? you stick a penny and like 50 cents in, and get a smooshed penny with a souvenir design …
Nudie Neon Indians and the Sexualization of Native Women
Neon Indian is a hipster-indie band that has been gaining some notoriety as of late. They performed on Jimmy Fallon, and have been making the music festival circuit as well. Though the name annoys me, I hadn’t actually associated them with any cultural appropriation, since nothing I’ve read about the band references anything Native. I figured maybe they were talking …
Educating non-Natives at Lightning in a Bottle
My friend Ricky (who made this awesome graphic I’ve posted before) headed out to the Lightning in a Bottle (LIB) music festival a few weeks ago, and was prepared to approach the concert-goers in headdresses and other forms of cultural appropriation in the mindset of an educator. He encountered many headdresses, and more. I’ll let him tell the story himself: …
Random Appropriation of the Day ("Navajo Bronze" Hair Dye)
Apparently Clairol has a color of their “Natural Instincts” line called “Navajo Bronze”–a “light caramel brown”. Of course, since Clariol wants you to think that this line of hair dye is “natural” and stuff, they have to use Natives for marketing, since we’re all tied to nature and pure and whatever else they think. Frustrating. Amazon listing: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5EC4A/?tag=botkrajai-20 (Thanks Scott!)
TLC’s Extreme Poodles includes some Extreme Stereotyping
TLC is not exactly known for its normal, run of the mill programming. While I’m sure we can all admit to paying rapt attention to “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” at one point or another, the network’s stunts for ratings have gotten weirder and weirder lately. I think the topper might be their recent special “Extreme Poodles,” a show …
Vince Vaughn Encourages Cultural Appropriation (well, sort of)
(image source) Vince Vaughn is shooting a new movie called “Cheating Hearts,” and apparently some scenes take place at a Chicago Blackhawks game. The casting agency put a call out for extras–“Blackhawk fans”–and some of the participants were a little overly enthusiastic with the Blackhawks “regalia” (like the pair above). ReelChicago.com describes the casting call: An estimated 1,100 persons eager …
Thanks for the severed head, you’ve proved my point.
Game 4. Philly Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks. The Flyers score a goal, and VERSUS tv shows this guy. This guy, holding an impaled, severed, Indian head. On national tv. Close up on his prop: So disturbing, so graphic, and just what I wanted to wake up to on a Saturday morning. Truly sickening in the literal sense. This proves it, …
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