October 04, 2012

"Liquor battle" photo stereotypes Natives

Photo stereotyped Native people

By Jessica UllrichAs an Alaska Native woman, I am appalled by the photo on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News on Oct. 1. It's a picture of two presumed Alaska Native men shaking hands on a street corner and it's attached to the title of the article, "Liquor battle brewing."

The article doesn't have any information about Alaska Native people. I am so tired of the media portraying the false stereotype that Alaska Native people are alcoholics. Here's a news flash worth printing: people with all ethnic backgrounds struggle with substance abuse! Please stop connecting pictures of my Alaska Native community members to articles that they don't belong attached to.
Comment:  Wow. Considering there's no liquor or battle brewing in the photo, that's incredibly insulting. Does anybody get stereotyped as much as Natives?

For more on the subject, see Restaurant Serves "Half-Breed" Burgers and Newsman Compares Drunk Indian to Animal.

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