Stop Dressing Up Like a "Native American" on Halloween (a poem) It’s Halloween time, so let’s all gather near. For a story you’ve heard; one we hear every year. It is all hallows eve, you know what that means candy, more candy and sexy versions of things. One year I (for reals) saw sexy Pepsi. She was with sexy Coke, what else have I seen? How about sexy Cheerios and sexy Frosted Flakes? I’ve even seen sexy toothbrush, but not sexy toothpaste? And every single year, doesn’t matter the day… I’ll be out with my daughter when some white girl heads our way. She bought a fake headdress, a tiny felt dress, a headband, a tomahawk, she looks a hot mess. I don’t look her up and down; just look her in the eye, stare, don’t glare then let out a big sigh. I stand firm on the sidewalk, wait for her to pass. Maybe she notices. Maybe she laughs. “Listen here,” I begin. “There is so much to say. I know for a fact no Native would dress this way. Second point, to be clear is simple and true just because racism is for sale doesn’t mean it looks good on you.” “Third point, to the point a point for you to consider, when you treat us like objects nobody’s the winner.” “And last, but not least one more thing you should know #RedFaceIsDisgrace. Now I guess you can go.” And before I go on one last thing that I'll say… “You may be a sexy Indian now but I’m a sexy Indian every day.” Happy Halloween! #NoPocaHotties2014 Cutcha Risling Baldy is a Native American woman who has never dressed up like a "Native American" for Halloween because that would be redundant and also because "Native American" costumes are actually just costumes of Hollywood stereotypes that have nothing to do with Native people. If you'd like to know more you should read her blog, or this blog, or this blog, or take a Native American Studies class. Also #NotYourMascot and #NotYourTonto and #ChangeTheName and #StopTryingToJustifyRedFaceAndAppropriation #NoJustification and #FindAnotherCostume #ImQuitePartialToSexyZombie #FlirtsALittleAndThenEatsYourBrains
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AuthorCutcha Risling Baldy is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Native American Studies at Humboldt State University. She received her PhD in Native American Studies from the University of California, Davis. She is also a writer, mother, volunteer Executive Director for the Native Women's Collective and is currently re-watching My Name is Earl... (5) Top PostsOn telling Native people to just "get over it" or why I teach about the Walking Dead in my Native Studies classes... *Spoiler Alert!*
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