Rod Stewart's daughter in a headdress

Another white girl, Kimberly Stewart, stigmatizes the Native American people and their traditions

By Dr. Lorena BrownleeKimberly Stewart, the daughter of Rod and Alana Stewart, after leaving the public limelight for four years to have and raise Benicio del Toro’s baby, comes shamefully back into the spotlight wearing nothing but a Native American headdress riding a rickety old rocking horse.

While her fans may be eager for her comeback, her behavior is nothing short of deplorable and exudes her inability to read and learn from those who have made this same culturally disparaging statement in the past.

A headdress is reserved for revered elders who have through their actions earned the right to wear one. The headdress is not merely a cultural piece but also a spiritual one. Feathers and even face paint carry a high spiritual significance in Native American societies bringing honor to both tribes and nations. These practices are earned through selfless and unwavering leadership. This reprehensible act could only be compared to a person stealing the medals of a war hero and publicly wearing them.

Under United States federal law it is a federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself as having received any US military decoration or medal. If convicted, defendants might have been imprisoned for up to six months. Wearing an unearned Native American headdress is no different to stealing a US military medal.