Vince Vaughn Encourages Cultural Appropriation (well, sort of)

In blackhawks, impaled head, indian mascots, philly flyers, vince vaughn by Adrienne K.3 Comments

(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.

In blackhawks, flyers, headdress, impaled head, indian headdress, indian mascots, mascots, stanly cup by Adrienne K.23 Comments

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)

In "tribal", fashion, house of harlow, kitson, tribal fashion, urban outfitters by Adrienne K.4 Comments

(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

In Legos, noble savage, Tribal Warrior by Adrienne K.10 Comments

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

In graduation appropriation, headdress, warbonnet by Adrienne K.8 Comments

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.

In headdress, hipster headdress, ke$ha, warbonnet by Adrienne K.4 Comments

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

In cartoons, cyanide and happiness, headdress, rain dance, warbonnet by Adrienne K.7 Comments

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

In B2B, bay to breakers, costumes, hipster headdress by Adrienne K.11 Comments

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

In costumes, harvard powwow, palo alto high school, spectator special, stanford powwow, warpaint by Adrienne K.89 Comments

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 …

Katy Perry at Coachella: "A sight for Squaw Eyes"

In coachella, katy perry, racism, The Sun by Adrienne K.5 Comments

I thought this one deserved its own post outside of the hipster headdresses. Observe the outright ignorant racism of The Sun in the UK: (original post: here) Notice 4 things: 1. The headline: Katy’s “Poca face”? 2. The text: “Katy Perry looks a sight for squaw eyes”? and she could have “doubled for Pocahontas”? 3. Her pose: please tell me …