So, I was walking to the library at Acadia University the other day and came across a cardboard box that had been placed by RedBull. This was for a doddle contest. If you look closely you will see the drawing that I found most offensive. It shows a First Nations character in "full Indian headdress and war paint", pointing a gun at the White Sheriff. This picture is wrong on so many levels. First, the stereotypical portrayal of First Nations, and second, as the violent aggressor. If we look back in time, the opposite is true, the oppressor on the other side, the mass murders, the genocide all prove this true. As I scanned the box, I did not notice any other groups being stereotyped. I did not notice the Muslim being portrayed as a terrorist, as this would be racist and wrong. I did not notice the US president being portrayed as a primate (remember the New York Times..even they did not get this one), as t his would be racist and wrong. I did not notice an Asian person being drawn with those eyes from the days of Bugs Bunny, or the facial characteristics that were once drawn of those of African descent, as all this would be racist and wrong. So why is it, that First Nations, and stereotypes are still fair game? Why is it that schools across this country, and the US, middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities, as well as professional sports teams, can get away with using stereotypes and likenesses of First Nations people and culture? And to those who say it is done as an honor, out of respect, I say go to hell! I dare you to ask a First Nations person if they are honored with the Washington Redskins, The Atlanta Braves (remember the tomahawk chop!!!), the Cleveland Indians, the Seminoles, the Warriors, the Redmen.. not to mention the mascots!!
A letter has been sent to Red Bull asking for the removal of these offensive boxes from all Universities. An apology has also been asked for. Will they be removed? Will the apology surface? I say no. After all, this is the same company that sets up on school grounds and offers its addictive, potentially lethal products to kids for free. Why expect anything different from a company with no morals.
Perhaps showing the Native American with the gun turned on the cowboy was supposed to be ironic, like "payback". Of course this to is not that conducive to racial reconciliation, but I really think you are being a little too sensitive over this issue. There are far more pressing matters of systematic discrimination in the US and Canada as well I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI do not think it is too sensitive. If you look at pretty much any portrayal of First Nations in the media, be it on television shows, cartoons, postcards, pictures of any sorts, what you generally see is the same sort of picture that is on this box. As for the mascots, as mentioned, they are extremely offensive. All I was stating was it still seems ok by mainstream society to portray First Nations in this light. As for being too sensitive, why is it that when someone in a minority position points out something that is wrong, some sort of injustice, they are seen by the dominant society as being too sensitive, whining, complaining? When a group of minorities do the same they are seen as radicals, a mob, causing trouble. Why is it that when the dominant society does the same it is seen as community pride, as was the case in Halifax when they wanted to run trucks through the rail line, when they want to close a school with declining enrollments, when they want to widen their streets. Or what about the communities that complain because a new group home or halfway house wants to open in the area. Or let's look at garbage facilities. What would happen if one was proposed to be open next to a predominantly White community? Wouldn't know as chances are it would not happen. Where are they normally located?
ReplyDeleteToo sensitive? No, just offended.
I don't see this poster racist in the least but, if anything an ironic piece of doodle art, which the poster is trying to promote. I think Ruslan brings up a great point when he says there are far more pressing matters of descrimination in Canada and the US. For the record, I have nothing against any specific race, or anything involving races especially minorities, so this opinion is coming from a completely unbiased view, and I don't think Red Bull was taking an indirect attack at the FN people.
ReplyDeleteDirect or indirect, it does not matter. What matters is the simple fact the "doodle, piece of artwork" or whatever you would like to call it, is in fact racist. For those who have not experienced racism, you would have no idea the feelings a picture like this brings out. Yes, to many it may seem trivial, but to those who have been affected by racism on a daily basis, it is far from trivial. Try to look at it through a different set of lenses and you will see what I mean. However, for those who have never had to look at the world through the lenses every minority, you will not realize what is seen every single day. The looks you get as you walk by, the following as you walk through a store, the wondering day in and day out.."did that just happen because.." Until you truly start looking at things as those who experience racism on a daily basis, you will only think that the REAL racism is the burning of the crosses on the lawn, the lynchings, the unprovoked attacks based on race (as recently as a couple weeks ago in BC). This is the racism we can all see, but pictures like this is the racism that is seen ONLY by those hurt by it..
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