BYSTANDER: Oh, my God! Can we get a picture with you guys?
COP: We're not those guys.
CHIEF: Yes, please leave us alone. We're very busy.
WORKER: Now where were we? Oh, yeah. We've got to solve that security problem for the Indian casino we're constructing.
Again, a TV show presents a mixed message. On the one hand, the gag undercuts the idea that a real Indian is a member of the Village People playing dress-up. On the other hand, it implies this is what a real Indian looks like. A Plains chief...standing in regalia for no reason...in Rhode Island.
The Narragansetts are the only recognized tribe in Rhode Island. Here's how they look these days:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0OJQdRB-LNk_O2Aa_R0vbfya8FMkURIAevEzafo1XtTEa1iTu1EPYQOa-ZSh2HfrgVPqc2Q8AxRGLKmXCE57Cuq1-vBI3K4f4wFk6JpdouvigasqVTEmpMm-P5fuqN5MzIW9VQ/s1600/Randy+Noka+speaks+to+group.jpg)
A Narragansett chief might wear a Plains headdress on a special occasion--because many tribes have (mis)appropriated the Plains iconography. But a headdress plus buckskins? No. That's pure stereotyping.
1 comment:
You're right. Heaven forbid a cartoon use a caricature to represent a person. Not all Native Americans walk around in full traditional dress? Great observation.
Post a Comment