Litefoot and Jesse Jackson call for OutKast apology

indiancountry.com ^

[mhking]

Gypsy Jackson alert!

Black conservative ping

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[dfwgator]

"They darker than us. Woof!"

[NativeSon]

Well you do have it bad.... Male, AI and Conservative.

It's not all bad. You should see the faces of the Left-elite when I respond to their "rich white man conservative" line with the 'RedCard'. Yes, I will stoop to playing the race-card to stuff it to them at times...

Try being called a "Fundamentalist" and all that implies each night on broadcast TV.

"Why you sir are worse than Hitler" ... (from the Simpsons)

[NativeSon]

One of my favorite movies.

"The sheriff is near"

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Yeah, nothing like being third class citizens in your own land, being the only 'minority' that it is acceptable to mock.

I have noticed that people seem to have a particular insensitivity to American Indians. They will often refrain from making stereotypical remarks about black people, for instance (and I'm glad), but AIs seem fair game. I'm sure you don't need me to list the stereotypes, or the "heap big" this, and "heap big" that, "wampum" and "peace pipe" kind of remarks you have to wade through just to get a word in on FR when a topic concerning AIs comes up.

So I acknowledge that I see what you're talking about. I also want to say how much I hate it myself. I've seen friends of mine mockingly called "Chief" (here), asked whether they are even U.S. citizens - it's real, and it sucks.

I wonder, though, whether you (and/or any AI FReeper, or just a FReeper who knows) can articulate to me exactly why someone dressed in this type of clothing is something that insults AIs. I don't understand (though it must be obvious), but I want to. Maybe it's just that I don't know the intent behind the costumes, and maybe it's not benign. Please help me out if you can.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

"If I went on stage at the GRAMMY Awards with a bone in my nose and my face painted black with white lips on, singing ‘Mammy,’ with a spear in my hand in a tiger outfit, would I, even for a moment, be given the benefit of a doubt? Or a moment to explain my position on how I was honoring African-American people?"

Okay - this helps me understand. I missed it before. I see this point. While I don't interpret someone in clothing that suggests an AI design as insulting, I suppose it depends on the intent - but there is little question someone dressed the way he describes (above) would be interpreted as degrading.

[dfwgator]

Litefoot’s new album, "Redvolution," will be released at his April 23 performance at the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow.

Isn't the term "pow wow" racist?

[dfwgator]

"I extend to you a Laurel and Hardy handshake."

[dfwgator]

And while they are at it, I think FSU should apologize for Chief Osceola, now if that isn't an Indian stereotype I don't know what is.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Lighten up, Francis.

Its just having fun in costumes. So you've never laughed when an actor/comedian/partier dressed up in a silly costume, like Billy Crystal in a tights in a Shakespeare costume, or John Belushi in a toga, or Mel Brooks in an oversized Roman centurian costume/caveman outfit/monk's robe in 'History of the World Part I'?

Let's face it, any outfit or style of dress looks funny out of context. It doesn't mean one is denigrating a culture, but rather simply being creative. I've dressed up in overdone super preppy tight Izod with the collar up for an 80's party, does that mean I was attacking white culture, or Ronald Reagan, does that mean I think the 80's were bad? Of course not.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I agree - I dress as a suburban Mommy every day but I'm really a Russian Princess........ doesn't mean I am making fun of white protestant 40-something women......

(My family fled from Russia and if the race-baiters can tell African Americans that they are all decendants of Kings and Queens, then I can believe I must be a decendant of the Czar......;^)

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well my blood is part Charlemagne and part Quanah Parker, so perhaps at my next two costume parties I'll be the Sun King in a powdered wig(but promise not to recreate the human chess scene in History of the World Part I) and then the chief in the Village People. Though suddenly the idea of copying that Outkast grammy outfit is tempting.

Hmmm, who wants to wait until Halloween, maybe its time for an April Fools Party...

[American_Centurion]

You can take our land, but you can't take our schtick.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Maybe I'm just different but I don't find offense in costumes...... I don't have some dark thoughts against period costumes or native dress - I look at history as something that happened - we can't change what has passed - you learn from it and do better........

So what is next - we can't allow our children to dress as Pilgrims in a school play for fear of offending someone -

People need to lighten up.........

[Diddle E. Squat]

Ha! Check out this Reuters story(yes, that really is the headline):

Polaroid users warned not to "shake it"

And requisite Outkast Grammy pictures, for future costume making reference:

[BunnySlippers]

As the daughter of a hard working Italian man from Sicily, I demand apologies and reparations from the gangsta rap community for glorifying the Italian mafia lifestyle. Thank You.

As a native of Los Angeles California I demand apologies from all rap groups who glorify drugs and violence a la the LA Crips. I'm tired of paying for it.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

That's American Indian garb? Huh, I don't recall ever seeing green leather on American Indians........;^)

Isn't he the guy who is normally mostly nude?

[Diddle E. Squat]

That's American Indian garb? Huh, I don't recall ever seeing green leather on American Indians........;^)

Perhaps its the Chartreuse tribe out of Quebec?

Isn't he the guy who is normally mostly nude?

I have no idea, and ain't about to find out...

[BigSkyFreeper]

Jesse Jackson needs to loosen up a bit. Perhaps Bill Clinton can counsel him.

[Chad Fairbanks]

As an American Indian, I'm not necessarily "offended", and I don't feel "degraded" by the use of the costumes. However, I will say that the costumes are really ******* stupid looking. I guess if the band wants to look stupid, more power to them...

I do, however, have a problem with people who steal our culture for profit, or politics, but that's another topic entirely...