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, …
The Ultimate Tribal Fashion Roundup (June 2010 version)
(TNA Spring Catalogue) It’s been a while since my last tribal fashion roundup back in March, and even longer since I first questioned the emergence of Native themes in fashion back in January. The trends don’t seem to be slowing down, and if the prevalence of the hipster headdress is any indication, they might be sticking around for even longer. So …
"Tribal Hunter" is worse off than "Circus Clown": 2010 Indian Legos
Time to meet the 2010 Lego “Tribal Hunter,” the smiling dude above. Note his “buckskin” outfit, beads, eagle feathers, warpaint, long hair, and bow and arrows. Pretty much every stereotypical marker that I can think of (see this post for more information about those markers). But lest you be offended, read his description below. He’s not a violent warrior, he’s …
Ivy League Graduation Appropriation
Sunday was “Class Day” at an Ivy League university, and I sat with 5 of my family members, watching my little sister graduate. Class Day tradition at this school dictates students wear “funny hats” along with their graduation robes (the traditional mortar boards are saved for commencement the next day). As I waited for my sister to enter through the …
Not Again, Ke$ha.
Our favorite warbonnet-wearing-hot-mess of a musician sported another headdress at The Bamboozle (a big music festival). The photographer calls her get up a “psuedo-patriotic costume of a feather headdress, aviator sunglasses, and the American flag”. Right. Plenty more pictures at the photog’s site: http://ishootshows.com/2010/05/21/photos-kesha-the-bamboozle/ A couple of tipsters had sent over Ke$ha’s new video for “Your Love is My Drug”, a …
"The sexiest rain dance ever": Cyanide and Happiness cartoon
It took me a minute to even get the joke in this cartoon. Let’s break it down: We all know all Indians do rain dances, right? (riiiight) And high roller strip club patrons “make it rain” by throwing money up in the air so it falls down like rain on the stripper. Therefore, it’s funny, get it? When they dance, it’s …
Plenty of "Indians" and Equal Opportunity Racism: Bay to Breakers 2010
Bay to Breakers is an annual San Francisco Bay Area tradition, now in its 99th year. Technically it’s a 12k race, starting downtown (the bay) and ending at the beach (the breakers). I don’t know the exact history, or how it has (d)evolved through the years, but I can tell you it is now one part serious road race, and …
When Non-Native Participation in Powwows Goes Terribly Wrong
Let’s set the scene: Friday afternoon, Stanford powwow–one of the largest powwow’s on the West Coast. Three Native powwow committee members and a friend are checking in on the vendor booths, making sure things are ready to go, and they come across the group pictured above. 6 non-Native girls, decked out in warpaint, feathers, fringe, and moccassins–playing Indian at its …