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| found on celebscoop.com |
The legitimacy
of the use of Native American headdresses as a mere ‘accessory’ in popular
culture has caused much outrage and harm. This cultural appropriation
can be deemed inappropriate in many different aspects. These sacred headdresses
are not a fashion statement. Native American ‘dress up’ may be portrayed as fun
and harmless but must be interpreted in light of social and historical
context.
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| found on dailystar.co.uk |
This ’statement’
or ‘trend’ further reinstates the stereotype that Native Americans are one akin
culture, when there are actually over 500 distinct tribes.
Furthermore, the
wearing of ceremonial feathers has a significant spiritual meaning. Feathers
are symbols of honor and respect that have to be earned or are given as part of
sacred ceremonies and rituals.
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| found on styleite.com |
What reaction
would be created with similar pictures of the Pope’s Mitre and a bikini? Both
are sacred symbols worn, only when earned, by the figurehead representing the
accumulative set of spiritual beliefs and cultural identity of a community.
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| found on huffingtonpost.com |
Not only is this
type of cultural appropriation very disrespectful, but also sexist and damaging
to native women. Some have argued that the headdress being worn by women in the
media is a feminist statement; a reaction to the fact that the headdresses
are only worn exclusively by male chiefs. However, these images, to me, are not
expressions of women empowerment, but actually of degradation; not only to the
Western but also the Native woman. We are seeing a scarce lack of sisterhood.
These are not noble reactions to a patriarchic society but actually
disrespectful portrayals of the very considerably and historically gender equal
Native societies. These images add to the over sexualisation of Native American
girls. Native women have long been victims of mass rape and sterilization
throughout colonization. Native American women are the most victimized group in
America who suffer from the highest rates of physical and sexual abuse. 1 in 3
Native women will be raped within their lifetime. The way in which popular
media depict native culture in this way is extremely disrespectful and harmful
in two respects. These images seem to take no consideration of the past
bloodshed that the first immigrants are responsible for. At the same time these
images are allowing for the proliferation of the degrading view now held
towards the very vulnerable and exploited native women and girls.
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found on americansale.com
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| my postcard |
