April 19, 2011

"Too many chiefs and not enough Indians"

Pequots Slam GOP for "Insensitive Remarks"

The Tribe took exception to a phrase used in the GOP budget plan.

By Bob Connors
In the budget summary, GOP legislators say that state "(O)rganizations that are 'top heavy' or have 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians' are rarely successful and almost never efficient."

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has taken exception to what it calls the "insensitive remarks" in the Republican Budget. "The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council was dismayed to learn that the Republican's proposed budget was published without any regard for the inappropriate reference contained therein," the Council said in a statement Tuesday. "Though perhaps an oversight, the Council sincerely hopes that this matter will be swiftly eradicated, accompanied by appropriate amends to all those who may have been equally affronted."
Comment:  I'd call this a minor offense in the grand scheme of things. But still, using an ethnic reference in an official document is usually a bad idea. Would you refer to "Jewing" or "gypping" someone in this context? The Indian reference is the same kind of thing.

It's dubious at best because it implies Indian tribes are especially top-heavy and poorly run. Since the context is about organizational efficiency, why not use a business metaphor instead? "Too many CEOs and not enough workers" works just as well. It conveys the same point without using an ethnic slur.

For a related stereotype, see Insubordination = "Indians Running the Camp."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I disagree. I don't see this as a minor offense in what you call, "the grand scheme of things", because you are simplifying what you usually condemn, especially considering the source, which are alleged, educated and elected officials.

I do not see how you can condemn celebrities, sports mascots and have this comic book critique towards what is and is not, racist towards natives in that area, yet condemn other well known personalities for their ignorance, but make exception racial remarks from national leaders that are supposed to stand for all Americans rights?

Think about it. Everyone in the media and on TV cable are consistently demonized for racist remarks towards blacks, jews and latinos and natives, but congressional leaders commit a minor offense which is documented and (yawn) played down as nothing in the scheme of things?

I guess you walk around with a pocket sized gauge for racism in each pocket, one for comic books, one for political leaders and another for media personalities?

dmarks said...

Old Dean Martin song:

Wagon train of lovin' moving slow
And I can see the peace pipe burning low
You criticize each little thing I do
But listen baby, I've got news for you

There's too many chiefs and not enough Indians around this house
Baby I'm tired of this old game we play called cat and mouse
If you don't give just a little bit more
We're both gonna lose this race
'Cause there's too many chiefs and not enough Indians around this place

Trouble on our happy hunting ground
'Cause you keep stepping too far out of bounds
It's hard to run this reservation right
When you stay on the warpath day and night

Well there's too many chiefs and not enough Indians around this house
Baby I'm tired of this old game we play called cat and mouse
If you don't give just a little bit more
We're both gonna lose this race
'Cause there's too many cheifs and not enough Indians around this place

Look at all the things I have to do
To keep this teepee running just for you
Well time's are tough and wampum's hard to save
Just remember who's the squaw and who's the brave

Well there's too many cheifs and not enough Indians around this house
Baby I'm tired of playing this old game called cat and mouse
If you don't give just a little bit more
We're both gonna lose this race
'Cause there's too many cheifs and not enough Indians around this place

Rob said...

I judge the severity of racism and stereotyping all the time, Anonymous. For more on the subject, see "Too Many Chiefs" a Major Offense?