Lisa Charleyboy found this lovely display of cultural sensitivity here. It’s a pin/button to show the world your love for…costumed animals? but it gets worse, it’s called a “squaw badge”. In case you care for other forms of appropriation, don’t worry, there’s a “Bob Dog Badge” (Rastafarian dog with dreadlocks) too. “Squaw” Badge: http://www.takkoda.com/store/gifts-badges-c-38_43.html (Thanks Lisa!)
Cultural Appropriation Bingo: proving your comments are unoriginal and ignorant
(Awesome bingo card made by Dr. Sheila Addison) On all the fantastic articles on cultural appropriation that have been making the rounds these past couple of days (Threadbared has a awesome round up here, I definitely recommend a look), the comments are getting heated. People are getting defensive, people are throwing the “omg it’s just fashion, get over it!” card, …
Native Star Quilt Inspired Baby Gap Dress
My friend Sam spotted this skirt at Gap Kids/Baby Gap, which seems to be inspired by a Native Plains-style star quilt. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition of quilt-making in Native communities, here are a couple examples: (image via liberalstreetfighter.com) (image via shopping.aktalakota.org) I hesitate to call this an outright “appropriation” because I know I will get push back–“quilts …
Random Appropriation of the Day! ($2,200 Backyard Tipi)
Tipster Lucia pointed me to this backyard “tepee” from Design Within Reach. It retails for $2,200, and is made by “Dave Ellis, who spent 10 years working in the canvas business before creating his own line of tents and tepees in 1982.” Here’s the screenshot of the page (click for a bigger version): The description reads: Tepee For adventurers of …
Ridiculously Maddening Quote of the Day: Avatar Edition
Welcome to a new feature–The Ridiculously Maddening Quote of the Day! Today’s inaugural quote comes to us from James Cameron, director and screenwriter of Avatar (maybe you’ve heard of him?). Quote comes from this article, talking about his activism and involvement with indigenous peoples in Brazil: “I felt like I was 130 years back in time watching what the Lakota …
Random Appropriation of the Day! (yes, THAT Hanson)
I’m about to let some of my major dorkiness show. Well friends, I have a confession to make. I, Adrienne K, am an unabashed Hanson fan. Yes, THAT Hanson. Of mmmbop fame. I’ve been a fan since I was 8 and I saw them at a county fair in Tulsa, and continue to be a loyal follower of their new …
The Jezebel Fashion Post that keeps on giving
(Jen Mussari’s now iconic image 🙂 ) I’ve come across some awesome blog posts in response to the Jezebel piece (found here) on Native fashion that Lisa at Sociological Images pulled together with images from this blog. The comment thread on the piece was really interesting, with people debating what should be deemed “ok” what is “offensive” and some just …
Random Appropriation of the Day! (Indian Smurfs)
Virtue B. sent over these smurf figurines from her recent trip to New York. They were posed to look like they were acting out a scene from a movie with cowboys and Indians. This guy’s wearing a buffalo headdress and leggings/loin cloth combo While this guy’s got an angry expression, some war paint, and a feathered spear. (see the smurf …
Sweat Lodges Part II: No, you can’t. Here’s why.
AK note: This is Part II in discussing sweat lodges and non-Natives. For Part I and background,click here. After that long lead in, lets break it down into some of the major issues at play here. I feel like I’m treading in a bit of dangerous water here, because admittedly sweats have not been a part of my spiritual tradition. …
Sweat Lodges: "Bro" Therapy? (Part I, the summary)
AK note: Thank you all so much for the love and positive feedback I’ve gotten in the last few days. It’s so exciting and humbling that this project I thought wouldn’t go outside of my family and a few friends has taken really taken off. I’m so appreciative of the support and so glad these issues are getting out there! …