Leona Lewis in a headdress

PC brigade on warpath over Leona's headdress: Singer branded 'ignorant' and 'racist' on social media for wearing Native American attire

Leona Lewis came under fire within hours of posting photos on Instagram
Singer was branded 'ignorant', 'disrespectful' and 'racist' for the costume
But many social media users came to the defence of 30-year-old celebrity

By Sam CreightonIt was meant as a fun picture, but this harmless image of pop star Leona Lewis wearing a Native American headdress still managed to upset some sensitive souls on social media.

Within hours of sharing the pictures on Instagram yesterday, she was branded ‘ignorant’, ‘disrespectful’ and ‘racist’ for supposedly making light of the headgear’s cultural importance.

One of her 380,000 followers wrote: ‘As a Native American I just lost so much respect for you. The headdress is reserved for our revered elders who, through their selflessness and leadership, have earned the right to wear one. It’s a spiritual garb, not just cultural.’Comment:  Note that Lewis appears to be making a "woo-woo" gesture with her hand. Thus exacerbating the offense.

Also note the "warpath" stereotype in the headline. And the insulting term "PC brigade." Protesting racism isn't politically correct; it's correct, period.

For more on the subject, see Indian Costumes at Annual Turkey Trot and Jenner and Hilton in Stereotypical Costumes.

Acadian singer's stereotypical music video

Natasha St-Pier faces backlash over First Nation-themed music video

Some say Acadian singer's music video is rife with stereotypes depicting First Nations peopleNew Brunswick entertainer Natasha St-Pier has brought attention to her Acadian roots with her new music video, Tous Les Acadiens, but the attention hasn't been positive.

The video, which includes 34-year-old St-Pier sporting a full headdress, dream catchers and the singer paddling a birch canoe, has been criticized by René Cormier, president of the Société nationale de l'Acadie (SNA).

"Despite all the efforts we do, we continue to convey these kind of clichés," Cormier told Radio-Canada on Monday.

Rife with stereotypes depicting aboriginal culture in Canada, the video also includes children in paper headdresses dancing around a teepee.Comment:  For more on the subject, see IndianHeaddress.com and Rod Stewart's Daughter in a Headdress.

Fever sexualizes Pocahontas

Some of the lyrics of Fever--originally sung by Peggy Lee and covered by Madonna:Cap'n Smith and Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
When her daddy tried to kill him
She said, "Daddy, oh, don't you dare!

"He gives me fever
"With his kisses
"Fever when he holds me tight
"Fever! I'm his missus
"Daddy, won't you treat him right?"Comment:  This is a great example of how our culture has sexualized Native women such as Pocahontas. And why Disney's Pocahontas is problematical: for perpetuating a "storybook romance" that never existed.

For more on the subject, see "In Defense of Pocahontas."

Mound Builders band stereotypes Indians

I just heard of this band calling themselves The Mound Builders. Let's take a look:

Local band looks to ease community into the metal scene

By Kate LewisThe Mound Builders, a self-proclaimed “gumbo” band, combines metal, punk, stoner rock and even a little bit of blues into their one-of-a-kind sound. It’s unconventional, yes, but their diversity is where they feel their appeal lies.

Moreover, The Mound Builders, whose name refers to the ancient civilization that once inhabited the Lafayette area, is all about the local community. Lafayette is where they started almost six years ago, and it’s where they’ll always call home thanks to the area’s supportive music scene.Here's who the Mound Builders really were:

Mound BuildersThe varying cultures collectively called Mound Builders were inhabitants of North America who, during a 5,000-year period, constructed various styles of earthen mounds for religious and ceremonial, burial, and elite residential purposes. These included the Pre-Columbian cultures of the Archaic period; Woodland period (Adena and Hopewell cultures); and Mississippian period; dating from roughly 3500 BCE to the 16th century CE, and living in regions of the Great Lakes, the Ohio River Valley, and the Mississippi River valley and its tributary waters. Beginning with the construction of Watson Brake about 3500 BCE in present-day Louisiana, nomadic indigenous peoples started building earthwork mounds in North America nearly 1,000 years before the pyramids were constructed in Egypt.The band's name might not be worthy of comment, but their choice of iconography is.

First, a straight ripoff of a Native thunderbird:



A post-apocalyptic Native, I guess. Along with his military gear, his extreme tattooing emphasizes his savage and warlike nature.



Another savage and warlike Native. Note that the mohawk from an Eastern Woodland tribe is inappropriate for a Southern Mound Builder.



And finally, savage Plains Indians on the warpath. Again, the headdresses and war ponies are inappropriate for Mound Builders. In fact, this pre-Columbian civilization didn't have horses.



I assume the last image comes from an old comic book. The painted style looks like something from Gold Key.

If there was any doubt that the band's "thinking" is stereotypical if not racist, this image confirms it. To them, "Mound Builders" are wild and savage--just like their metal band.

Native roots of Guardians movie

Music: Native American roots of the GuardiansNow that Marvel has made another boatload of money and launched a brand new film franchise with “Guardians of the Galaxy,” there are a lot of people talking about a set of comic characters who were previously somewhat … obscure. In fact, “obscure” doesn’t quite do justice to the Guardians’ existence as a glorified footnote in the history of Marvel Comics.

Although they have had their fans over the years (including a teen-aged Craven, who once owned issue #18 of “Marvel Super-Heroes,” in which the super-team was introduced by writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan in 1969), the Guardians have never sold a lot of comic books. But thanks to the incredibly canny marketing skills of the modern-day Marvel, as well as a charming cast, gorgeous CGI eye candy and the one-two punch of a delightful script and deft direction by filmmaker James Gunn, the futuristic team who could never sustain a long-living comic title have turned into cinematic superstars.

But something that has gone relatively unnoticed is the debt the new movie owes to Native American culture in general, and one of the greatest Native American rock acts in particular.

Although you’d be hard pressed to recognize it from his portrayal in the film, one of the main characters was originally (and pretty obviously) intended as an analogue for a Native American. I’m not talking about Rocket Raccoon, although his last name—and the name of his species—derives from an Algonquian word. But Yondu Udonta, the blue-skinned character played by Anglo actor Michael Rooker, was very clearly modeled on an Iroquois when he debuted in the original line-up of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The only Native American characteristics of Yondu that remain in the film are his use of an arrow and what looks a bit like a Mohawk hairdo.Meet Redbone, the Native American Rock Band Behind That Guardians of the Galaxy Song

By Alex SuskindIf you saw Guardians of the Galaxy last weekend—and from the looks of it, that appears to be most of you—you likely found yourself grooving along with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill to the song he plays during one of the film's opening scenes while simultaneously wondering, Who sings this again? Thanks to Star-Lord and his Awesome Mixtape No. 1, we now know more than we ever could have imagined about the track “Come and Get Your Love” and the band that brought it into the world.

Like Wild Cherry and the Weather Girls, Redbone has for years been one of those groups that tends to pop up at music trivia nights and on listicles about one-hit wonders. But let’s give it up for Redbone, shall we? The band was formed in 1969 by Pat and Lolly Vegas, two brothers of Mexican and Native American descent. The siblings’ original surname, Vasquez, was later changed to Vegas, a suggestion that allegedly came from legendary musician Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, who thought it might be more palatable to white audiences. By the early 1960s, the newly christened Vegas brothers were regulars on the Los Angeles rock circuit and recording run-of-the-mill instrumental surf-rock tracks like “Wax ’Em Down” and “Gypsy Surfer.” They also appeared on the music variety show Shindig!, performing a rousing rendition of “La Bamba.”

Three years after releasing the 1966 album Pat and Lolly Vegas at the Haunted House, the brothers rebranded the act as Redbone. As Pat and current member Raven Hernandez explained in this undated interview, the term was a reference to the Vegas brothers’ heritage. “Redbone means half-breed,” said Pat. “Anyone who has part-Indian blood, that’s a redbone. Back in the old days, if you called a Native American a half-breed, it was fighting words.”

According to Footsteps in the Dark: The Hidden Histories of Popular Music, the group began wearing colorful Native American attire onstage after drummer Peter DePoe, himself Indian, told the band their music had a Native American feel to it. (DePoe would later join the group, as would guitarist and singer Tony Bellamy.) At the time, the brothers ironically had no idea that they, too, had Indian in their blood; it’s a fact they learned later from their grandmother after informing her of their new stage act. Either way, the duo fully embraced their newfound culture.

Natives protest Nugent in Sturgis

Michael Ballard Owner of Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis Says He Won't Invite Ted Nugent Back To Lakota-land

By Somos IndependentsTed Nugent is banned from performing at the Sturgis, South Dakota Full Throttle Saloon Bar moving forward.

Michael Ballard who has a net worth of $5 million dollars and owner of Full Throttle decided profits over principles in Lakota country in Sturgis, South Dakota. Pretty cheap and pathetic if you ask me. Even though he is a millionaire and could have done the right thing aside from the $150,000.00 he had his eyes on with the Ted Nugent concert, he is on record via Lakota Territory News TV where he states:

Nugent has made headlines recently after two casinos canceled concerts with him, citing racist remarks. The Full Throttle Saloon had Nugent on the schedule for the main stage Wednesday night. Local Native Americans gathered around the Saloon with signs to protest him.

James Swan, president of The Urban Warrior Society, says he's protesting Nugent over accusations that Nugent called natives 'unclean vermin.' "Ted Nugent, you're a slob. You're an evil, horrible being, and Native Americans don't want you to like us," said Swan. "We don't want you to wear our head dress, we don't want you to act like you're native, because you're not."Smells Like Ted Nugent: Rocker Criticizes 'Stinkyass' Native Protesters

By Christina RoseProtesters came to Sturgis from almost all of the reservations in South Dakota, including Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, Crow Creek and Lower Brule as well as Rapid City. It went well, according to Doug Bissonette, Lakota, who drove up from Pine Ridge to attend. “It turned out pretty good, a lot of bikers gave us the thumbs up," Bissonette said. "The owner said he kind of regretted it (hiring Nugent) and wouldn’t do it in the future.”

Indeed, Full Throttle owner Michael Ballard stated that had he known sooner about the protest and comments Nugent has been making, he wouldn’t have booked him. But for financial reasons, the show would go on. "I can't turn around and walk away from $150,000," Ballard told KOTA. "I mean that's the nuts and bolts of it. Now that we're made aware of it, we'll listen to it next time."

The only reported negative incidents at the protest occurred when a jeep went by the protest and occupants called out, “FU!” to the protestors. “That and a couple of guys tried to come out of the concert to come after us, I think they were drunk,” Bissonette said.

James Swan, Lakota, founder of the United Urban Warrior Society of Rapid City, South Dakota, said people came from Wisconsin, as did a couple from Hawaii who were caravaning their way from Bear Butte, a sacred place of prayer that stands imposingly just two miles outside of Sturgis.

“There was a really good turnout,” Swan said. “My message to Nugent was, he is not welcome in Indian country. We asked him to quit wearing a headdress, and running around in a loincloth. Wearing the headdress and using foul language, it’s disgracing us. He just doesn’t get it, he said nobody minds if he wears the Green Bay Packers t-shirt.”

Nugent attacks "unclean dipshit" Natives

Ever since Ted Nugent's racism got him fired from two tribal casinos, he's been trying to defend himself. As long as he kept talking, it was inevitable that his own ignorance would indict him.

Here's what Nugent really thinks of Indians:

Ted Nugent: 'My Lifestyle…Is More In The Indian Tradition Than Many Of The Indians Themselves'

By Miranda BlueTed Nugent called in to Glenn Beck’s program on Friday to defend himself after a number of his shows have been cancelled by Indian tribes because of his long history of racist remarks.

Nugent told Beck that in fact “my lifestyle as a white guy—though I’m hard to accept that designation—is more in the Indian tradition than many of the Indians themselves.”

In response to reports that he called protesters at one of his recent shows "unclean vermin,” Nugent told Beck, “I have a spiritual blood-brother relationship with these Indians and then the left literally creates the nastiest, hateful lie they can, put quotes around words attributed to me, Glenn, claiming that I called my red brothers ‘unclean vermin,’ which I never said in my life. They created that out of whole cloth.”

Later in the interview, Nugent acknowledged that he had called the protestors “unclean vermin” but that they were “communists.”Nugent defends his ‘Native credibility’ in face of protests

By Corey Morris“The media took that statement and said I said that about my Native American blood brothers, with whom I have had a wonderful, brotherhood relationship for more than 45 years,” he said.

“There’s not a tribe in this country that hasn’t invited me to their reservation to teach their children about being clean and sober, to aim small, miss small, and the history of hands-on conservation.

“I am the best friend to the Native Americans,” Nugent said.

“It doesn’t bother me on a personal level–the more idiots hate me, the better my guitar playing gets.”Let white man Ted Nugent teach you how to be Native American

"My lifestyle as a white guy ... is more in the Indian tradition than any of the Indians themselves," he says

By Prachi GuptaAs the predictable media shitstorm around his comments continues, Nugent is apparently going into damage-control mode at the only place he’ll find sympathy: in a studio with Glenn Beck. His defense consists of three points: A) The stupid liberals misquoted me, B) I have Native American friends so how can I be racist! and C) Besides, I’m more Indian than most Indians.

Alas, here’s the kicker: “My lifestyle as a white guy—though I’m hard to accept that designation—is more in the Indian tradition than many of the Indians themselves.” Dear Native Americans: White guy Ted Nugent can’t be racist, because the white guy knows more about your culture than you do.Obviously Nugent can't name a single tribe and thinks all Indians are the same. Strike one.

Nugent thinks of Indians as his "red brothers" and "blood brothers." His notion that he has a relationship with some five million people, all of whom are "red," is strike two.

Indeed, he thinks he's a better Indian than many of them. Which means millions of Indians are inferior at being themselves. Or simply inferior, period. Strike three and he's out.



Yep, he's a racist

But wait, it gets worse.

Native Americans Protest Flaming Lips Lead Singer Wayne Coyne & Ted Nugent in Portland, OregonWhen challenged by a young Native man, Lance Browneyes on Facebook about wearing a Plains headdress and using a sacred White buffalo in photographs he retorted, "It was a gift from an Apache spiritual elder for helping Inidan(sp) kids stop substance abuse you subhuman mongrel." (Note: these headdresses are not part of Apache culture.)Ted Nugent Previews His Appearance At Toledo Blade Concert By Attacking "Stinkyass" American Indian Protestors

Nugent: American Indians Could Have Fought Off Settlers With Less "Whoopin" And "Hollerin"

By Timothy JohnsonOn August 7, Nugent took to his Facebook page to hype his "Rib-Off" appearance, but also to argue that American Indians upset about land being taken from them by white settlers need to learn about the American Dream.

Nugent wrote, "WE ARE ON OUR JET NOW HEADING FOR TOLEDO RIBFEST JAM AFTER AN INSANE INCREDIBLE OUT OF BODY ULTRAROCKOUT at the Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis SD! Simply astonishing gig! 4 stinkyass unclean dipshit protestors that admitted they hate me AND ALL WHITE PEOPLE THAT STOLE THEIR LAND BULLSHIT!! See, it aint me they hate, they hate all Americans that produce & live the American Dream. Simply insane!"

The protestors that Nugent attacked as "stinkyass unclean dipshit[s]" were reportedly from the United Urban Warrior Society in Rapid City, SD.

Nugent made other inflammatory comments in the discussion thread on his Facebook post. One fan wrote that "Maybe the natives shoulda had better weapons ..." to which Nugent responded, "less peyote less whoopin & hollerin."Ted Nugent mocks ‘unclean dipsh*t’ Native Americans: Whites ‘stole their land’ is ‘bullsh*t’

Natives protest at Flaming Lips concert

Native American Rights Group Protests the Flaming Lips at Waterfront Park

Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry also plans to protest Ted Nugent at Portland Expo Center on Tuesday.

By Matthew SingerThe free Flaming Lips concert at Waterfront Park last night drew more than just fans of the psychedelic rock veterans: A small group of activists were also in attendance, protesting the band over incidents involving frontman Wayne Coyne and the appropriation of Native American iconography.

Spearheaded by the national organization Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry, about 20 protestors gathered near the venue's entrance, brandishing signs reading "Culture Is Not a Costume" and "You Still Owe Us An Apology" and handing out photos from Coyne's Instagram account of a dog and friends wearing feather headdresses.

"We wanted to make a statement, and make it clear we haven't forgotten," says Jacqueline Keeler, founder of EONM, which recently led a protest outside a Flaming Lips show in the band's native Oklahoma. In April, the group also protested outside Nike headquarters in Beaverton, demanding the company stop selling merchandise emblazoned with the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo logo. "Basically, we want to hold accountable anyone who appropriates our culture and shows genuine disrespect to our people."BAD DAYS: The aftermath of the Portland Flaming Lips protest

By Louis Fowler"The mood was upbeat and the energy strong in a good way. Jacqueline had it well organized,” Creel said.

“Personally, I am frustrated that we are in 2014 still teaching what racial/cultural good manners are. I saw a lot of frowns from the people but also so curiosity expressed. When I held up my sign, "Lips Frontman Wayne Coyne disrespects Native Americans”, there were a few nods of understanding.”

The mood inside, however, wasn’t as welcoming.

First, the Flaming Lips were introduced by acolyte (and former Saturday Night Live errand boy) Fred Armisen (Portlandia), who had quietly come under fire from Natives in the past for his “hipster-racism” comedy stylings, most notably for his Native comedian character featured on Weekend Update, Billy Smith, which was basically three to five minutes of the laziest Indian stereotypes thrown together to get cheap laughs from the cooler-than-thou SNL audience.

But, even more egregiously, protesters Luis Figueroa and his brother made their way into the concert with signs, upon which eyewitnesses say—and live video shows—that Lips fans not only taunted them with various slurs and insults, but also grabbed the signs out of their hands and destroyed them. Security then conveniently escorted the brothers out.

Why were the Flaming Lips protested? Native American activists speak out

By David GreenwaldAt the Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Sunday night, across the bowl from the venue’s VIP entrance, a handful of activists held signs protesting Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne. Two of them made it inside, one holding up his message—“Culture is not a costume”—even as Coyne rolled over him in his crowd-surfing bubble. According to Jeff Ward, an attendee at the show with his family, the peaceful protester was verbally abused by the audience around him before the abuse escalated: they tore apart his sign before he was removed from the area by event security at the MLS All-Star event.

"I was not proud of my fellow concert-goers abusing this guy like that," Ward said. The sign-tearing moment was captured on video by the MLS broadcast (pictured below). "He was doing what we’re supposed to do in this country and he was vilified for it.”

I saw a second protester, holding a green sign, escorted out of the audience by security as well, and an MLS representative did not respond to a Sunday night request for comment.

Why were they there? It’s a long story, but in the short version, Kliph Scurlock, the Lips’ former drummer, stirred up controversy in May after claiming he was fired for criticizing Christina Fallin—a friend of Coyne’s and the daughter of Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin. The younger Fallin had posted an Instagram photo of herself in a Native American headdress, leading Coyne to post a photo himself with three people and a dog wearing a headdress. Fallin’s also in a band, Pink Pony, which reportedly mocked Native Americans at the Norman Music Festival as Coyne watched.Coyne apologized, then brought out a man in a headdress on-stage, leading to this response:“Native people pretty much regard it as a faux apology,” Jacqueline Keeler of activist organization EONM told me on Twitter after Sunday’s show, though she was under the impression that Coyne himself had worn a headdress. She organized Sunday’s protest, and in our interview on the grounds, she explained that the headdress played an important symbolic role in her culture.

“It’s not meant to be used to wear at a music festival. It's not meant to be worn in a light-hearted way," she said. “It’s really a sign of the head of state of our nation. It’s completely inappropriate to be used that way, particularly without any knowledge of our culture or even desiring any knowledge of our culture.”And more broadly, why these protests will continue:Thanks in part to social media, American culture has shifted quickly in recent years as marginalized groups assert themselves more publicly, leaving many artists—from Coyne to Katy Perry to Miley Cyrus to Iggy Azalea—under fire seemingly every week over questions of appropriation or discriminatory behavior. It’s not just race or culture: online pressure led to Rick Ross being dropped from Reebok in 2013 after rapping about date rape, lyrics he later called “one of my biggest mistakes and regrets.”

In short, behavior that musicians and celebrities once routinely got away with—Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku dancers, for one, never inspired a trending topic—has become unacceptable.American Indians Protest Flaming Lips Lead Singer Wayne Coyne for Disrespecting Regalia & Attacks on Native People

Comment:  I didn't know about the Fred Armisen connection. Somehow it's not surprising that a comedian who does ethnic shtick would be a Wayne Coyne supporter.

For more on the Christina Fallin controversy, see Fallin Suffers Fallout from Stereotyping and Scurlock Explains Flaming Lips Firing.

Tribes drop Nugent over racism

The following news item caused a flurry of activity:

CdA Tribe Books Controversial NugentThe Coeur d’Alene Tribe of American Indians—itself a target of a recent racism—has booked racist rocker Ted Nugent for a public concert next month at the tribe’s landmark North Idaho casino. The decision is stirring controversy for a tribe that has proudly involved itself in human rights causes and contributed thousands to fight racism. Nugent sometimes wears an Indian headdress on stage, coming close to ridiculing American Indian culture, and mocks those campaigning to change names of sports teams that use words like Redskins and Savages. The legendary rocker, who also is on the board of the National Rifle Association, has a “long history of racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, animus towards immigrants, and propensity to use violence-tinged language,” Media Matters reported earlier this year. That came after Nugent called President Obama a “subhuman mongrel” and referred to him as a “chimpanzee”/Bill Morlin, SPLC HateWatch.The invitation didn't last long once it was publicized:

Idaho Indian Tribe Drops Ted Nugent Citing Rocker’s Racist Legacy

By Bill MorlinLess than seven hours after being asked about the racist legacy of rock entertainer Ted Nugent, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of American Indians this evening cancelled a scheduled performance next month by the controversial performer.

Tribal officials sounded completely caught off-guard earlier in the day when Hatewatch called and asked why the tribe–with a sterling record of combating hate and standing up for equal rights–had booked Nugent.

Heather Keen, the public relations director for the tribe, announced the decision that Nugent’s scheduled for Aug.4 was being abruptly cancelled.

“Nugent’s history of racist and hate-filled remarks was brought to Tribal Council’s attention earlier today” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Keen said in a statement e-mailed to media outlets.

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has always been about human rights–for decades, we have worked individually and as a Tribe to make sure that each and every person is treated equally and with respect and dignity,” the statement said.Native American Tribe Cancels Ted Nugent Concert Over Unbelievable Racism

By John PragerA Native American tribe, which had booked Nugent at a casino, says it was not thinking about Nugent’s bigotry when the booking was made. “Unfortunately, when we booked him, we were looking at him from an entertainment perspective, as an 80s rock ‘n roller, who we thought folks might enjoy,” Laura Stensegar, executive director of marketing for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Cour d’Alene Casino, said.“We take the comments and concerns of our community very seriously and we apologize to anyone who was offended by the idea that we would promote these kinds of attitudes. We will do our best to avoid such mistakes moving forward.”

“We adamantly do not want our casino to be used as a venue for the racist attitudes and views that Ted Nugent espouses,” Stensgar said.

Chief Allan, Chairman of the tribe, said “We know what it’s like to be the target of hateful messages and we would never want perpetuate hate in any way,” in a one-sentence statement.

Heather Keen, the public relations director for the tribe, told Hatewatch that, “Nugent’s history of racist and hate-filled remarks was brought to Tribal Council’s attention earlier today” by numerous outlets. “The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has always been about human rights–for decades, we have worked individually and as a Tribe to make sure that each and every person is treated equally and with respect and dignity.”

Poopy Pants dislikes "unclean vermin"

Naturally, Nugent didn't appreciate being canned:

Ted Nugent lashes out at ‘unclean vermin’ after Idaho Native American tribe cancels his concert

By David EdwardsConservative rocker Ted Nugent on Tuesday responded to the news that an Idaho Native American tribe had canceled one of his upcoming concerts by lashing out at the “unclean vermin” who made it happen.

“The Motor City Madman” had been schedule to perform for Coeur D’Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho on Aug. 4 until the Southern Poverty Law Center caught tribal officials by asking for a comment on Monday. Later that day, the performance had been canceled.

“I take it as a badge of honor that such unclean vermin are upset by me and my positive energy,” Nugent told Gannett Wisconsin Media on Tuesday. Put your heart and soul into everything you do and nobody can stop you. Sometimes you give the world the best you got and you get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you got anyway.”

“By all indicators, I don’t think they actually qualify as people, but there has always been a lunatic fringe of hateful, rotten, dishonest people that hate happy, successful people,” he continued. “I believe raising hell and demanding accountability from our elected employees is Job One for every American. I am simply doing my job.”Nugent: His Haters Are 'Unclean Vermin' Who 'Don't Qualify as People'Natives and others offended by Nugent's comments have taken to the rocker's Facebook page and are giving him an earful:

"I'm Native American. I listened to your music in high school. I've seen you in concert many times. My son, who was five at the time, and I met you at the Traditional Bowhunters Show twelve years ago in Kalamazoo, MI. You bent down to talk to him and gave him a pick. I am very offended and am so disappointed in you --- I'm one of those 'unclean varmin' you spoke of. I will no longer attend your shows, or listen to your music. I'm sure my son, who is now 17, will be disappointed in you as well since you've been an influence when it comes to playing guitar and hunting."

"If this page is something that Mr. Ted Nugent can read, I would say to your face that if all of the stupid quotes attributed to you actually came from your mouth, that it should be stapled shut. Children don't need another example of how ignorant, hateful, vain, and reprehensible adult citizens of this country can be...play your music, but leave out your half-baked commentary."

"Ted should just play guitar and sing. Leave his personal political views to himself. He also needs to remove that tacky, cheap warbonnet replica that he wears during his shows. The warbonnet is a very spiritual part of our culture where the privilege to wear it is earned. It is offensive when a person outside of our culture wears one ... disrespects it. Our culture is not a costume."Ted Nugent fires back at 'vermin' who want Oshkosh show canceled

Start of a trend?

Other tribal gaming enterprises are starting to join in:

Tacoma casino cancels Nugent shows, citing racismEmerald Queen Casino will cancel two Ted Nugent concerts that were scheduled August 2 and 3 over allegations of racist remarks by the singer.

Puyallup Tribe officials said the decision came after learning that Nugent has said racist remarks.

"The first amendment gives people the right free speech, but I think racism is intolerable and not acceptable here," said Puyallup Tribal Council Vice President Lawrence W. LaPointe. "We’ve been getting lots of complaints from the community and other organizations."

"I don’t want to take away his right to say what he wants to say, but we don’t need it here."Ted Nugent’s Upcoming Shows at American Indian Casino Face Scrutiny after Idaho Cancellation

By Bill Morlin“[The] decision by the Coeur d’Alene suggests Nugent may need to double-check his standing in Indian country,” the Indian Country piece said.

Devin Burghart, the Seattle-based Vice President of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights (IREHR), applauded “the courageous decision by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to cancel” the performance. He said his group was encouraging “all other venues to follow the lead of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and think twice about allowing Mr. Nugent to use their stages to promote his snarling brand of hatred and bigotry.”

But Burghart stressed that the “burden of addressing racism and bigotry shouldn’t fall onto the tribes.” He said it falls on everyone, “particularly the white fans of Mr. Nugent and the many predominantly white-owned venues where he is scheduled to perform” to challenge his racism.Yep, he's a racist

Ted Nugent’s most-enduring record a monotone of racism and hatred

By Shawn VestalHe compared his hometown of Detroit to “Return of the Planet of the Apes.” He said Barbara Boxer “might want to suck on my machine gun.” Nugent has called Hillary Clinton names I can’t print here. He once said, when asked if he knew any hard-working black Americans, “Show me one. Show me one.” He called rappers “big uneducated greasy black mongrels.”

His record of bigotry is so vast–and so frequently given a media microphone–that it was surprising to hear the Coeur d’Alenes had booked him. If nothing else, there was a clear failure to Google. But the tribe and casino corrected course quickly, and they’re putting their money behind it: they’re refunding ticket buyers’ money. The tribe will also presumably have to pay a fee for the cancellation, though that’s still being worked out, a tribal spokeswoman said.

Perhaps the cable news channels could follow the tribe’s lead and uninvite The Nuge now and then. No one who is so bigoted consistently gets such a large and approving public megaphone, and though Nugent–like all good self-pitying zealots–considers himself a media victim, the truth is that he gets an enormous amount of more or less respectful coverage because he’s such good copy.Comment:  Most of the articles didn't mention Nugent's wearing of a Plains headdress in his concert. That alone shows how ignorant and dismissive he is of Indians.

Anyway, let's hope this is the start of a trend. Nugent may have played his last concert at an Indian casino.

For more on Ted Nugent, see Nugent "Tomahawk Chops" Mascot Critics and Nugent's Implied Death Threat.

Drake "jokes" about racist Redskins

Drake takes a shot at the Redskins name in ESPYs monologue“Now look, some rough words in football this year,” Drake said. “Riley Cooper said some things. Richie Incognito said some things. I just want to stress that there’s no room for racism in the NFL—unless you own a team in Washington, D.C. Then it’s a go.”Drake Jabs at 'Racist' Washington Redskins Name While Hosting ESPYs

Jena Malone sings Indian Giver

Somebody Tell Jena Malone 'Indian Giver' Is a Racist TermActress and musician Jena Malone (as Jena Malone and The Shoe) has released a preview clip of her single for the celebrity-watching site JustJared, and it's the sort of cultural fumble likely to land her in quite a bit of trouble. She has entitled the song "Indian Giver."

As Crushable put it, the title is "a phrase she really should have Googled." Malone's most recent film work of note includes Sucker Punch, the TV miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, and a recurring role in the Hunger Games movies.

ICTMN's own Vincent Schilling wrote (in "What or Who Is an Indian Giver? A History of the Offensive Term") that the phrase dates back at least a century and a half, and is tied to the idea that the Indians encountered by Lewis and Clark and other exploers/invaders were unfair barterers. Really? We recall someone getting an unbeatable deal--you might call it a steal--on the island of Mannahatta and more than a few broken treaties and forced relocations. It's hard to think of a less accurate generalization, really.

In using the blatantly racist term without hesitation, Malone joins the ranks of Matt Lauer, Kris Jenner, Rush Limbaugh, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company.Comment:  For more on "Indian giver," see Origin of "Indian Giver" and Limbaugh Calls Warren "Squaw Indian Giver."

Coyne presents man in headdress

WAYNE'S WORLD: Native American appropriation continues unabated

By Louis FowlerThis weekend, hundreds of Native Americans gathered in Oklahoma City for the historic Red Earth Festival, celebrating not only Native history, but Native futures as well.

Meanwhile, at the Wakarusa Festival on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas, hundreds of mostly Caucasian hipsters, many in mocking Native headdresses themselves, gathered as Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne continued his “artistic” assault on the American Indian by having a man dressed in Native regalia on-stage.

The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, featuring four days of music and activities for people of all ages, has gained in popularity, especially for Oklahomans, considering how close it is to the Sooner State.

While eyewitness reports have been scattered, the most consistent anecdotes from attendees have been that this was all part of an on-stage wedding. Why the male needed to be in the warbonnet to be married is still anyone’s guess, but what is perhaps the most perplexing question to many Natives who’ve seen the photos is, if Coyne was serious about his label-mandated Rolling Stone apology (and many activists believe he truly wasn’t), why would he continue to add fuel to an already raging fire by allowing something like this on-stage?

The reaction from Indigenous activists on Twitter and Facebook has been one of continued hurt, disappointment and burgeoning anger, while many fans of the offensive rockers continue to defend the antics of the crackpot Coyne and crew under the guise of “art.”

“Maybe Coyne thinks he is the only one that can disrespect Natives and be the best at it? I don't know, but his apathy and lies know no bounds,” civil rights activist Jennie Stockle posted on social media. “I'm sure he will claim ‘innocence’ by blaming the headdress being on stage with him on that person wearing it. However, it is HIS show and knowing full well how Native Americans feel, he could have not allowed it to be on stage. He could have easily forbid it during his performance. The truth is he didn't give a second thought to the example he set to his young fans or harm he is doing to Native Americans and their honored family members.”

“Folks, Wayne Coyne is a liar and has now commonly engaged in racism against Native Americans to boost his own name-infamously so,” she added.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Fallin Suffers Fallout from Stereotyping and Coyne Apologizes for Dog Headdress.

Pharrell apologizes for headdress

Pharrell On Elle Cover Controversy: "I Am Genuinely Sorry"

The artist and producer apologized for wearing a Native American headdress on the cover of the fashion mag’s UK edition.

By Reggie UgwuOn the cover of the July edition of Elle UK, Pharrell Williams replaced his usual headline-grabbing headwear with a traditional Native American headdress.

Many Native Americans and others were upset about the appropriation of the garment, which is considered to be the sacred garb of chiefs and warriors. They created the “#NotHappy” hashtag on Twitter.

Ashley Mocosa @mocosamoments
I'm seriously disappointed in @Pharrell for wearing a war bonnet on the cover of @ELLEmagazine #nothappy

Aparna Balakumar @OnceAPARNATime
Urgh. Why does the fashion industry insist on turning sacred cultural items into fashion props? #NOTHappy @ELLEUK
And:In a statement responding to the controversy, Pharrell has apologized, saying he meant no disrespect.

“I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture,” Pharrell says. “I am genuinely sorry.”

Elle UK has not yet responded to a request for comment.Pharrell Williams sorry for wearing First Nation headdress

Singer faces backlash after fans take to social media to say cultural appropriation is 'not cool'

By Connie WalkerThe American singer is just the latest artist to be accused of cultural appropriation. After donning traditional First Nation gear in a music video last year, Gwen Stefani was also forced to apologize.

Chanel, Victoria's Secret, H&M, Urban Outfitters and Paul Frank have also come under fire for inappropriately using First Nations symbols or imagery in their fashions.

Although, offenders are often quick to apologize and claim they are attempting to honour First Nations culture, some say it is insulting and perpetuates stereotypes of indigenous people.Comment:  For more apologies for wearing a headdresss, see Windy Apologizes for Headdress and Coyne Apologizes for Dog Headdress.

Pharrell in a headdress

Not Happy! Natives Pan Pharrell's Headdress Look on Elle UK CoverPharrell Williams appears on a special-edition cover of Elle UK's July issue wearing a feather headdress, and Natives are not at all "Happy" about it. In fact, they're tweeting their disgust on Twitter using the hashtag #NOThappy--a reference to Pharrell's mega-hit "Happy."

Pharrell earned smirks in January for wearing an enormous "Mountie"-style hat to the Grammy Awards--but he stuck with the look and it became a signature style. Which makes Elle UK all the more proud of themselves: "we persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot," reads promotional copy on the mag's website. The photos were taken by Doug Inglish.

The preview image was posted to Elle UK's Facebook page, and has racked up hundreds of comments within a few hours. Offended Facebookers have also taken their complaints to Pharrell's own page:

Taino Ray: How can you do something so stupid and disrespectfulll.. you are not a Chief Pharrel.. The eagle feathers are sacred... Even if you are part Native the headdress is off limits... Its for Warriors and people of the plains culture.. You don't have the right to wear that Pharrel... neither does Cher or Emerson Windy... You guys don't get it.... You will learn the hard way by us Natives telling you so...

Gail Lichtsinn: You have no right to wear a headress that is so sacred to native people..Those headresses are earned and not worn to make a buck or draw attention..They have meaning and are worn by our men with pride and dignity..This is a mockery of a proud people..We are not a joke and take these things very seriously..Go back to wearing your OWN clothes

Sandy Johnson: I love your music! BUT...please don't insult our Indigenous People by wearing a headdress. They are earned one Eagle feather at a time through acts of selflessness and bravery. Thank you.


Pharrell Williams wears new headgear--but is it an improvement?

Some tweets on the subject:

Dr. Adrienne K. @NativeApprops · Jun 3
Another celeb in a headdress just makes me tired. How many ways can I/we explain why it's wrong and hurtful? I've run out. @Pharrell

david treuer @DavidTreuer · Jun 4
@Pharrell headdresses and war bonnets are the auto-tune of the fashion world. #nothappy @NativeApprops

Teej T @Halfrican_One · Jun 4
Pharrell's open ignorance of Native appropriation fits so well into his belief in being a post-racial "new Black." Postracial doesn't exist.

BlueCornComics @bluecorncomics · Jun 4
If @Pharrell is part Native, he should know better than to put a war bonnet on. DNA isn't a license to stereotype. http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2014/06/04/3445104/dear-pharrell-this-is-why-you-shouldnt-wear-native-american-headdresses/

Comment:  For more on ignorant pop stars, see Emerson Windy in a Headdress and New Zealand PM's Daughter in a Headdress.

Windy apologizes for headdress

Emerson Windy on 'Peace Pipe' Video: 'It Was My Decision, My Mistake'Rapper Emerson Windy, under fire for a music video that Native Americans find deeply disrespectful, posted a long statement to his Facebook page today discussing the matter. In it he addresses American Indians directly admitting to having made a "mistake" and regretting his "naive ignorance surrounding your traditions." He also says that he was misinformed by apparently-Native advisers, and that he is guilty of disrespect, but not racism.

Windy's video drew sharp, often aggressive criticism on social media, and while Windy may be offering a better-than-average apology, the video is still available for viewing on YouTube and WorldStarHipHop. Many of those offended will likely see a contradiction in admitting something was an error and disrespectful, yet leaving it in public view. By this point in the saga of No Doubt's "Looking Hot" video, the clip was long gone from YouTube.Comment:  I like the part about how he'll let us remove our accusations of racism rather than do it himself. Nope, I think we're good with leaving them in place.

As usual, Windy's intent and ignorance are no excuse. He stereotyped Indians as primitive people of the past, a racist act whether he intended it or not.

And how educated do you have to be to know you don't dress up as people of other races. Redface is wrong for the same reasons as blackface.

For more on the subject, see Emerson Windy in a Headdress.

Emerson Windy in a headdress

Dopey: Rapper Emerson Windy's Native American Shtick Sparks OutrageHip hop artist and "vaping" advocate Emerson Windy has gone all in with a faux-American Indian look and attitude, and Natives are asking him to cease and apologize.

Windy's latest video is for a track called "Peace Pipe" off his album Herojuana. In the video, as on the album cover, Windy wears a feather headdress. The song's lyrics are mainly about smoking marijuana (unsurprising, given the album's title), which he conflates with the idea of the Native American "peace pipe." The idea of a "peace pipe" itself is a vast oversimplification that dates to early contact with Europeans--American Indians from all over Turtle Island smoked pipes on various ceremonial occasions.

But that is likely beside the point--although there are some shots of what looks like a pipe in the video, Windy is more likely referring to a vape pen--akin to an e-cigarette but used to inhale vapor infused with concentrated marijuana oil. Windy actively promotes a line of flavorings called "Mr. Good Vape"; the company's logo can be seen at the start of the video, and bottles of flavorings such as "Melon Head" are on display in some shots.

The video also contains footage of powwow dancers, as well as shots of Monument Valley, on the Navajo Nation. Here it is:The track's chorus goes "Pass that mothafuckin' Peace Pipe, CHIEF / Blow a bag with me," and in one section Windy riffs on "Arapahoe":

They call me CHIEF up in this bitch, ho
Windy know a rap-a-ho (heya heya)
Windy Boy a rap-a-ho (mic checka)
I'm a certified trap-a-ho
Gotta sell my dope, bitch I gotta go

Another manifestation of Windy's Native fetish is the name he uses for his followers and fans: "Windyians."

The American Indian Movement of Indiana and Kentucky has launched an online petition (which at the time of this posting has 631 of its target 1000 signatures) demanding that Windy remove the video from YouTube and apologize. Their statement reads, in part:

This song and video are disrespectful and demeaning towards Indigenous people of this land. We are also calling on Mr. Emerson Windy to MAN UP and remove the offensive video and send out a letter apologizing for his blatant disrespect and his insensitivity of the struggles of Native people of this land.Put Down the Peace Pipe and Step out of the Costumes

By Carolina Castoreno“Peace Pipe” is the video that Emerson Windy released this week. In this video he is dressed in “Indigenous attire” and raps about passing a peace pipe. Let’s start with the fact that Emerson mixes the regalia of a headman, medicine man, and a brave all together. Really Emerson, you wanted to be all three? Talk about an identity crisis. This is the problem with wanting to play dress up; people can’t even get that part right. If you wanted to portray a football player, would you also carry a baseball bat or a hockey stick? Why in 2014 is it still trendy to put on “Indian” costumes? But then again, just go to any typical Midwestern Pow Wow, and all you will see are non-Natives in costumes. That’s another issue we need to address in Indian Country, but I digress.

So you want play Indian? You want “smoke ‘em good peace pipe?” Please, pile on the stereotypes. A peace pipe is not a recreational tool to give you a good buzz. The pipe is a gift from our Mother Earth to be used ceremoniously only. It is not a plaything. When you portray it as just another vehicle for getting high, you perpetuate the negative imagery that society paints on Natives, that we are all drunks and like to “smoke peyote.” News flash, we don’t smoke it. What you are doing is equivalent to someone using a rosary or prayer beads in a sacrilegious manner. It demeans our spiritual beliefs.

I read Mr. Windy’s bio on his official site. He appears to enjoy philanthropy and spreading awareness about causes such as homelessness. Those are very commendable acts. The bio also states that Emerson likes to “push the limits.” Well, he has indeed pushed the limits with the Native community. Not even Native rappers would dare insult our elders or ancestors by playing dress up in a music video. Take for example Frank Waln, who gifted the anthem “Oil for Blood” to the Anti-Keystone XL Movement. While many of his videos depict the poverty stricken reservation life, never does he pose as a holy man or pervert his own culture to turn a dollar.

Has our society learned nothing from the countless incidents of “Black Face” or even “Yellow Face” in cartoons and movies? There was internet outrage over the group of white students who threw an MLK party by dressing up as “thugs with watermelons.” Did Mr. Windy condone their behavior? In a society where people of color continue to be pushed to the margins and still face racism from majority groups, it is unacceptable to have to face discrimination from one another.From Gray Wolf on Facebook:I am amazed that not more people are speaking out on the outright insult and disrespect perpetrated by someone who due to the suffering of his own people, should KNOW better! Here we have this ignorant uneducated house negro dressing up in "redface," disrespecting the sacred pipe and prancing around like some Las Vegas showgirl and only a few so-called activists standing up and speaking out on this vile behavior! Okay I know, we are all busy...but too busy to address insult and disrespect??? I will remind you all, what we allow will continue! We ALL need to speak out on this issue...Comment:  I think these critics have missed a key point in Windy's presentation. "Chief" is a slang word meaning:(v.) To smoke marijuana. Commonly used as slang for "getting high," "smoking up," etc.

Yo let's go chief after school today.So this isn't just some random appropriation of the Plains headdress and peace pipe. There's a whole subculture associating getting high with "chiefin." Which they're visualizing as being an Indian chief.

Meanwhile, how original is it for Windy to conflate the tribal name "Arapaho" or "Navajo" with the derogatory word "ho"? Not original at all.

Get a clue, loser. There's nothing original about any part of this act. If you have no talent, find a job doing something else, please.

For more on the subject, see Humboldt Republic's "Chief Life" T-Shirts and Snoop Dogg in a Headdress.

School's "YMCA" act called racist

Fargo parent calls school's 'Y.M.C.A.' talent show act 'racist'

By Forum News ServiceA Fargo first-grade class won’t be participating in the school's talent show after a concerned parent called a planned act “racist.”

The students were supposed to be performing the song “Y.M.C.A.” during Bennett Elementary School’s May talent show.

For the show, a first-grade teacher asked parents to have their kids wear clothes like the Village People, the group that recorded the hit song in the 1970s. Some would come dressed as a policeman, a cowboy, a biker dude, a construction worker or a Native American.

But one mom, Elaine Bolman, said asking her daughter and her classmates to dress up like an Indian is offensive.

“I'm not in a position to do anything for these educators, and hopefully those people that are can make the right choices so all students of any culture and race won't feel singled out or like their race is being stereotyped against,” Bolman said.

The Bennett Elementary staff pulled plans for “Y.M.C.A.”Comment:  This is a classic example of how stereotyping is perpetuated. People continue to portray or parody the Village People, and of course the band continues to perform. While the other portrayals are close to the occupations they portray, the "Chief" is an outdated stereotype from a century or two ago.

It's also the only racial caricature in the group. Yet no one points out the anomaly--that one of the five performers doesn't match the other four. That one is an ignorant stereotype like every mascot, Halloween costume, or hipster in a headdress.

Instead, the message is sent that this is what an Indian looks like. Because everyone treats it as good and normal, it reinforces a million other stereotypical images in our society. Collectively they tell us that Indians are nothing but primitive people of the past.

For more on the Village People, see Village People in Family Guy and What's Wrong with the Village People?

Fallin suffers fallout from stereotyping

People are still talking about Christina Fallin's headdress and "sheep" shawl incidents. Some tidbits from a long article:

Does He Realize? Protesters Not Satisfied With Wayne Coyne's Apology

By Wilhelm MurgCoyne distanced himself from Fallin and Pink Pony in the interview by denouncing the band’s music as “stupid” and while Fallin has insisted from the beginning that she never intended to offend Native Americans, Coyne contradicts her and corroborates what the Native American protestors have said all along, that Fallin and Pink Pony were taunting the protesters.

“I thought [Pink Pony] making fun of the protestors seemed stupid,” Coyne was quoted as saying. “And I just thought, ‘Why don't you just go out there and play your music, tell them you're sorry and play some cool music, and that would be what the festival is about?’ And Pink Pony handled it badly.”And:Coyne also seems to be saying that he just happened to be laughing while Native American people were being taunted in public, but he was not laughing at them, he was just generally having a good time during the taunting. “Yes,” Coyne was quoted, “I was at the festival. People probably saw me laugh. I took pictures with probably 500 people that night. I'm laughing in probably all the pictures.”

“I, myself, had eye contact with Wayne; he and his little girlfriend were laughing and pointing at us,” said protester and former Flaming Lips fan, Louis Fowler. Fowler, who is Choctaw, was there as a journalist covering the protest, but decided the situation was too overwhelming to remain impartial and picked up a sign and joined the protesters. “You come face to face with someone you respected and who you wasted so much money on between concerts and albums. For him to do that--it was really heartbreaking.”And:“I pretty much believe [Fallin's boyfriend] Steven Battles is the mastermind behind all of this, and Christina Fallin--and you can quote me on this--Christina Fallin is like his dumb little automaton that does what he says," Louis Fowler said. “In the interview she did with Indian Country Today she had ample opportunity to apologize and speak her own mind, but she sounds like a brainwashed cult victim. When she was referring to Steven Battles as a 'philosopher' she sounded like she might as well be drinking the Kool-Aid at Jonestown.”

The Lost Ogle, an Oklahoma City information site, is reporting that Battles’ radio show for Oklahoma City’s “The Spy” has been canceled. The Pink Pony Facebook page has been taken down and the Oklahoma City fashion and beauty magazine So6ix has severed its ties with Fallin, who was working with the publication as a media consultant, according to the site.And:Louis Fowler says he will definitely continue this protest. “My greatest resource, my greatest talent is my writing, so I’ll use that and I’ll use whatever means I can. I never realized what a significant problem this is in our state. It’s been one of the most heartbreaking and soul draining things I’ve ever encountered in my life.”

“I think Wayne Coyne and Christina Fallin operate in a tower so tall they can't even see where their arrows are landing,” Samantha Crain said. “It is possible that my next move may be another protest. As long as they hold the beliefs that they do, I don't believe there is much forgiveness from the Native community to be had. ... However, if they want to read some books, interact with some tribal members, and take steps towards understanding and respecting the culture, then speak more about how their attitudes have changed, that, I think, would be grounds to supporting them, and forgiving them. I think they keep dragging it out because their lack of knowledge and understanding really convinces them that they've done nothing wrong.”Comment:  Nice to hear Fallin, Battles, and Pink Pony are suffering for their effrontery. Maybe they shouldn't tangle with dedicated activists in the social media age, eh?

For more on Christina Fallin, see Coyne Apologizes for Dog Headdress and Scurlock Explains Flaming Lips Firing.

Below:  "Photo of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp-Muhl tweeted by Lennon to Wayne Coyne. Source: twitter.com/seanonolennon via The Lost Ogle."

Coyne apologizes for dog headdress

Wayne Coyne Apologizes to Natives, Calls Fallin's Behavior 'Stupid'In an interview with Rolling Stone, Wayne Coyne of psychedelic alt-rock band the Flaming Lips has addressed the controversy over his friend Christina Fallin's cultural insensitivity and the firing of drummer Kliph Scurlock, which Scurlock says resulted from his criticism of Fallin.

Regarding the picture of the dog in a headdress that he posted to Instagram, Coyne initially gives a non-apology apology, saying "I regret that some people took it wrong," and that the dog had the headdress on "for the same reasons that Gwen Stefani or anybody else would wear it, because it's cool-looking." But--credit where credit's due--he followed those less-than-satisfying comments with this:

I understand now that if I'm a spokesperson for any kind of behavior, I shouldn't have done it, and I regret doing it now. I am sorry. I realize now that it goes deeply to the heart of some Native Americans. And I definitely regret it.

Coyne also discussed the performance of Fallin's band, Pink Pony, at the Norman Music Festival. "I thought [Pink Pony] making fun of the protestors seemed stupid," he said. "I thought their attitude was wrong. And I just thought, 'Why don't you just go out there and play your music, tell them you're sorry and play some cool music, and that would be what the festival is about?' And Pink Pony handled it badly. I agree with all that."

The interview otherwised focused on Coyne's issues with Scurlock, with the Flaming Lips' frontman calling his ex-drummer a "hateful pathological liar."Wayne Coyne Apologises For Posting Native American-headdress Photos Online

By WennCoyne, meanwhile, wrote a message of support for Fallin online, posting images of friends and a dog wearing head-dresses.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the singer admits he was wrong to poke fun at Native Americans.

He says, "That was never our intention, and I realise now that it goes deeply to the heart of some Native Americans. I definitely regret it.

"I would say that I'm very sorry, to anybody that is following my Instagram or my Twitter, if I offended anybody of any religion, any race, any belief system. I would say you shouldn't follow my tweets; you shouldn't even probably want to be a Flaming Lips fan because we don't really have any agenda. We go about doing things through our imagination. And I would say that if we wrongly stepped on anybody's sacredness, then we're sorry about that. That was never our intention... I shouldn't have done it, and I regret doing it now. I am sorry."Wayne Coyne Responds to Firing of Drummer Kliph Scurlock

Wayne Coyne Slams Ex-Flaming Lips Drummer as 'Pathological Liar'

Wayne Coyne on Kliph Scurlock's Flaming Lips Exit: "He Knows We Struggled with Him for Years"

Comment:  Finally, someone offers a genuine apology.

For more on Christina Fallin, see Scurlock Explains Flaming Lips Firing and Fallin Defends Headdress, "Sheep" Shawl.

Little Mix salutes stereotypical "warriors"

Little Mix Would Like You All to Dress up In Headdresses and Warpaint When Attending Their Shows

Our #SaluteTour starts next week and we want all of you to be involved. We've decided we want to see you all dressed as #SaluteWarrior's :)

— Little Mix (@LittleMix) May 7, 2014

We've made a #SaluteWarrior inspiration board for you on @pinterest :) http://t.co/oxtlNSyElX Can't wait to see you all!! xx Little Mix xx

— Little Mix (@LittleMix) May 7, 2014

The Pinterest board in question:

Salute Warrior Theme




Adrienne Keene had some comments for Little Mix on Twitter:

Dr. Adrienne K. @NativeApprops May 7
THIS IS A PROBLEM. MT @LittleMix We've made a #SaluteWarrior inspiration board for you on @pinterest :) http://www.pinterest.com/littlemix/salute-warrior-theme/

Dr. Adrienne K. @NativeApprops May 7
I'm cool with gladiators @LittleMix. Xena? Totally badass. Native people? NOT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS. Read up: http://nativeappropriations.com/2010/04/but-why-cant-i-wear-a-hipster-headdress.html

Dr. Adrienne K. @NativeApprops May 7
#SaluteWarrior = stereotyping and cultural appropriation. Not appreciation or honor. Tell @LittleMix what you think.

Dr. Adrienne K. @NativeApprops May 7
"The day I decided to be a Native American!" @LittleMix https://twitter.com/LittleMix/statuses/386595824097955840 … #PeopleNotCostumes

My comment a few days later:

BlueCornComics ‏@bluecorncomics
@NativeApprops Is it my imagination or did @LittleMix remove the worst offenders from their Pinterest board without saying anything?

For more on the subject, see Little Mix Singer in a Headdress.