Opinion

Gyasi Ross: White folks appropriating another Indian tradition

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

"Lately, it seems like some of the younger, very, very, very educated Indians are very focused on white people who emulate Native styles of dress, jewelry, fashion, etc. I find that argument interesting—that white people should not emulate any of “our” fashions—because, if you go to any of the fancy Skin conferences, I guarantee you that you will see a couple of thousand Indians dressed up as if they were honorary white people, suits and bolo ties galore. In fact, if you go to many rezzes in the western United States (almost a redundant statement), you’ll find many of the Indian men dressed as cowboys. Are those appropriating Indians making a mockery of cowboys???

Um, no.

In either event, if any particular Indian believes that a white person should never adopt any Indian practices, then that particular Indian is probably mortified, James Arthur Ray-style, at the below link. They’ve gotta be thinking, “Those darn white folks are always stealing from us—is nothing sacred!?!?!?”"

Get the Story:
Gyasi Ross: Yet Another Case of White Folks Appropriating Indian Practices (Indian Country Today 11/29)