Our dear friend Khloe Kardashian is back at her dress up antics. Remember back in October when she tweeted a picture of her wearing a headdress? Well this week she stepped it up a bit and posted a picture from a professional photo shoot with a huge war bonnet. See above.
The accompanying tweet read: “What do you guys think of my tribal look?”
Well Khloe, I think it contributes to the continued stereotyping of Native peoples, relegates us to a “fantasy” or “dress up” character like a wizard or a clown, contributes to the sexualization of Native women, takes something sacred and meaningful and makes it a cheap commodity, and just overall gives me the sads.
If you want the full lowdown: But Why Can’t I Wear a Hipster Headdress?
Funny I should be writing about the Kardashians today, since I just got back from my cousin’s big wedding at the Armenian apostolic church in Pasadena (that’s why the blog went quiet for so long). Yes friends, I’m also Armenian. Apparently there’s a thing with Armenians appropriating Native cultures…remember Cher?
Yeah, she had this song called “Half Breed” back in ’73, and wore a lot of “Indian” style stuff, like huge headdresses, during that time period. I already hear you, commenters, “But she’s Indian! She says she’s Cherokee!” Yes, Cher’s ancestry includes Cherokee. Remember who else is Cherokee? Me. and as a Cherokee-Armenian, I can tell you that Cherokees don’t wear headdresses, breastplates, feathers, and southwest style beading. We wear this:
That’s a tear dress. Not quite as sexy is it?
Anyway, since you asked, Khloe, I’m not a fan of your “tribal look”. At all.
Khloe’s photoshoot pics
Khloe’s tweet
Interesting discussion in the comments over at Jezebel over the tweet and pic:
http://jezebel.com/5828895/miley-cyrus-doesnt-want-anymore-attention/gallery/19
Earlier:
Oh no, Khloe Kardashian
Nudie Neon Indians and the Sexualization of Native Women
But Why Can’t I Wear a Hipster Headdress?
Comments
*headdesk* Infuriating. Unsurprising. Disgusting. Adding insult to injury, she has to call it her “tribal look”. Arrrgh.
“That’s a tear dress. Not quite as sexy is it?” This made me LOL too loud in the office. I love it.
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GOD DAMN IT, I have been waiting forever to be “sexualized” for my native-ness! Playgirl for whatever reason, is holding back on putting out their “fat Pomo guys with glasses” issue…
I think its degrading Native women and wearing a headress? No regard for our culture..
Someone asked Kardashian about this on Twitter. Her response:
@icraprainbows That’s rude! You think I don’t know? I’m native american and VERY proud of it. You have no idea! Don’t judge b4 u know!
Her response seems to be based on DNA results that show she’s 3% Native American:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4088993.Khloe_Kardashian
Well, it *is* Khloe Kardashian we’re talking about here. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you get what I’m sayin…
Oh, shoot. She’s 3% Native?! Better take down this post. Only real Natives know it’s cool to wear chicken feather warbonnets to sex yourself up. 3% of her ancestors are totally filled with pride.
God do I hate all three of these girls.
funny how lost everyone has gotten…you want to sit there a critize everyone and not embrace that you came from some of the same people. it a shame how americanized people have become. this is not what you should be doing with your time, cutting people down. embrace people bring back old traditions by educating not discriminating. our elders would be ashamed!
funny how lost everyone has gotten…you want to sit there a critize everyone and not embrace that you came from some of the same people. it a shame how americanized people have become. this is not what you should be doing with your time, cutting people down. embrace people bring back old traditions by educating not discriminating. our elders would be ashamed!