Dressing up for halloween, music festivals, and dance events seems harmless enough right? But what happens when a group of people decide to take the initiative to dress up as Cowboys and Indians?
In the colonial constructs of the “west was won”, the deaths of millions of Indigenous peoples took place. So how is the action of wearing such costumes even more detrimental to them and why else are they so up in arms about it?
Cultural Sensitivity is justified by centuries of colonization. Indigenous peoples have just as much right to call people out on things that need to change. As they are survivor of the colonial narrative and live within it and know whats wrong with it. The stereotypes of the brave, warrior, indian princess and stoic indian perpetuate violence- lateral, direct, and indirect-It does not matter who is having fun with it, and what their intentions were. Last year, a group of people in a Saskatchewan house party decided to play Nazi/Jew Beer Pong.
For perspective, this is equally not acceptable.
Please commend Vianne Timmons for her efforts along with the Indigenization Team at the University of Regina for taking immediate action . However, stay consistent in the grassroots with the rebuttles against White Privilege, because if complaints are so sensitive, how come everytime an idiot decides to do this, people get mad? Or why do people justify the fun of it all before considering the targetted group?
Monoculture allows for differences in ethnicity, socio-economical, struggles etc to be ignored by giving permission/political correctedness to everyone to be all the same as human beings. While this is true in some regards, it denies the colonial histories of any nation as systemically traumatizing. It ignores the degrading effects that costumes like these have on people in which it tries to impersonate. While making this even more true, it depicts an imaginary character that has been developed through film, media and print culture.
It is an everyday battle for this issue to be taken seriously due to the effects of capitalism and the ideas of owning commodities. Individuals buy a costume and feel entitled to wear it because of their investment. This however is increasingly offensive due to the culture the items are attempting to portray. It gives off the idea of disposability, fake, and playful. It makes excuse for such individuals to play “indian” in which they can claim, they meant no harm to anyone, however, supporting a stereotype is harmful and dehumanizing as they are actively going out into the world as an imaginary indian.
The authenticity is in the hands of white privilege, because it is eurocentric commodification who makes the gesture to reinstate an image of indigenous people.
That being said many uninformed people support the actions of having ‘fun’ before considering the negative outcomes this has on the minority being objectified.
Not to mention most costumes are named:
Squaw
Squaw Princess
Indian
Sexy Indian Maiden
Sexy Women Tribal Trouble…
So not only does it target a race, but also further places indigenous women in a position of possession. The insensitivity stems into the ignorance of such issues of Missing and Murder Indigenous women.
Being Cheerleaders, nonetheless, supports this notion.
There wont be any reconciliation over the matter until the history of North America is acknowledged, that way this ordeal can be further prevented and harmony/understanding shall exist amongst civilians alike over this topic.
Exerpts from the Comments sections……..
Joe S
Mar. 17, 2014
2:39 PM
Abuse
I guess little kids are crossing the line when they play cowboys an indians too? Cultural sensitive gone too far again…
Curtis
Mar. 17, 2014
2:20 PM
We better cancel the Calgary stampede. I’m sure it crosses similar lines. And Halloween. Pretty sure I see a few little cowboys and First Nation costumes. No wonder The Lone Ranger movie failed. Oh, sorry, it was just really bad…and politically incorrect of course.
Nat
Mar. 17, 2014
1:56 PM
Apologize? Anyone think political correctness has reached a sick and disturbing level. Shame on the university professor that complained
Watch Neil Diamond’s film on this subject Reel Injuns… It explains a lootttttt!
JBH
wapanacahkos 
I have noticed these comments ^^^^ on many, many sites that have this topic uploaded…cut and paste hey guys?
Whose Comments?