It
is difficult to just make a quick response to this controversy. It is
a VERY complicated, and multi-faceted issue. One that deserves some
thought and contemplation because there are so many things to be
considered. Again, my reason for choosing to "Suspend" the
Native-influenced acts indefinitely are because I want to take ample
time to RESPOND. Also, I realize now this is long overdue. Sure, I
have had a handful of people in the past (both native and non-native)
who have expressed concern or offense at my acts or photos. To which,
like Montana Picard, I have done my best to maintain thoughtful and
respectful conversations with. But at the end of the day, everyone
has their own opinions and interpretations of art. Many of those who
express "offense" are not familiar with burlesque and
misunderstand the whole point. Considering this, I have come to
realize that some of my audience, while supportive fans, don't always
get my message either. This is not entirely their fault.
As a performance artist, I show up and visually PRESENT something. A concept, an emotion. The danger is that my performance art IS absolutely controversial, and as a visual performance artist, I am not given a VOICE to EXPLAIN those concepts, to help the audience interpret those emotions. I have posted and reposted my Artist Statement so many times over the years, but you can't explain it to EVERY single audience. And what about those who simply find me online, see me in a photo, or stumble upon a youtube video? It is one of those things that I usually just leave for THEM to figure out. This is where the problem, I believe, has begun with the group of Haters.
As a performance artist, I show up and visually PRESENT something. A concept, an emotion. The danger is that my performance art IS absolutely controversial, and as a visual performance artist, I am not given a VOICE to EXPLAIN those concepts, to help the audience interpret those emotions. I have posted and reposted my Artist Statement so many times over the years, but you can't explain it to EVERY single audience. And what about those who simply find me online, see me in a photo, or stumble upon a youtube video? It is one of those things that I usually just leave for THEM to figure out. This is where the problem, I believe, has begun with the group of Haters.
 |
| Photo by Risen Phoenix Photo 2010 |
First
and foremost, I am a burlesque dancer, which is a type of theatrical
sexual comedy. Burlesque turns social norms head over heels.
Burlesque is a style of live entertainment that encompasses pastiche,
parody, and wit. It is a celebration of sexuality, SENSUALITY, and
the human form in a way that is not demeaning or shameful, but
supportive and empowering.
Most of the Haters have never even SEEN a burlesque show, so they have NO CONTEXT! They honestly think I am a stripper, or am just doing some weird "performance," and am getting naked just to sexualize Native culture. It makes a hell of a difference if you see a BURLESQUE performance AT A BURLESQUE SHOW! As in, being physically present for live performance art. To see each woman get onstage and present her concept, some seducing the audience slowly and intentionally, some making the crowd roar in laughter at her cleverness and humor. Some performers are totally goofy and outrageous, some are more serious and sexy. Most of the time, the burlesque performer ends the act wearing nothing but pasties (nipple tassels) and a G-string or merkin, which gives the audience the aesthetic pleasure of viewing the body, while maintaining a degree of modesty for the dancer. She is not naked, just nearly naked. There is an uninhibited, silly, celebratory atmosphere, and as an audience member, you begin to feel that it is OKAY to celebrate the beauty of the body, through respectful appreciation and encouragement.
Most of the Haters have never even SEEN a burlesque show, so they have NO CONTEXT! They honestly think I am a stripper, or am just doing some weird "performance," and am getting naked just to sexualize Native culture. It makes a hell of a difference if you see a BURLESQUE performance AT A BURLESQUE SHOW! As in, being physically present for live performance art. To see each woman get onstage and present her concept, some seducing the audience slowly and intentionally, some making the crowd roar in laughter at her cleverness and humor. Some performers are totally goofy and outrageous, some are more serious and sexy. Most of the time, the burlesque performer ends the act wearing nothing but pasties (nipple tassels) and a G-string or merkin, which gives the audience the aesthetic pleasure of viewing the body, while maintaining a degree of modesty for the dancer. She is not naked, just nearly naked. There is an uninhibited, silly, celebratory atmosphere, and as an audience member, you begin to feel that it is OKAY to celebrate the beauty of the body, through respectful appreciation and encouragement.
 |
| Performing in Kansas City 2008 |
In
the burlesque world, it is very common for performers to use their
heritage or cultural background, because we satirize social and
political issues. Never is the burlesque performer taken literally.
Never is it intended to mock other cultures in a negative way,
especially when it is your OWN culture! As a burlesque performance
artist, my whole PURPOSE is to exaggerate the stereotype!
Through humor, my non-native audiences are able to work through their
white guilt and see the stereotypes and racism of the past for
exactly what it is: ridiculous! Never do I take myself seriously, it
is supposed to be a parody. NOT a parody of Native-American culture.
I'm not making fun of the Indians. I'm making fun of "white
man's" fucked up IMPRESSION and wrongful perceptions of the
Indians. And being that I am not full Native, that I am a "paleface,"
it is even more effective. I know I have pale skin! I'm half Irish.
But this, I think, makes my art more effective. (There will be an explanation in a future blog post!)
 |
| Performing "Bunny Hunt" at the First Anual Best of Midwest Burlesk Festival |
I
have chosen to SUSPEND the Native burlesque acts. I am not
"retiring." And I am certainly not changing my name. Why
would I abandon the last 7 years of hard work and creative energy? My
plan is to transform all this into something healing and educational.
I always had intention with my performance art, to provoke a
conversation. I definitely got a response! Now it's time to, as a
community, engage in those difficult conversations. I have been
surprised at the overflow of EMOTIONS expressed about all of this,
from both sides. Those that are offended and outraged, hurt and
confused, supportive and concerned. Amidst this crazy witch hunt,
it's encouraging to see solidarity and positive energy from other
voices in the Native community who understand and appreciate my
performance art. It has been very interesting to observe the kinds of
conversations that have evolved as an effect of the protest and
hateful propaganda. I am not happy with the hate speech and slander
and intentionally racists remarks, on both sides. I do not appreciate it and refuse to be threatened and bullied. Violence and threatening
words are never a viable solution and give zero credibility to your
cause. My hope is to find a peaceful solution that works for everyone. Entertainment AND education.
The
point is that, through my very controversial (and apparently
sometimes misunderstood) performance art, we are ABLE, as a
community, to have these kinds of difficult conversations. I refer to
the "Haters" as that because that is what they are, HATERS.
They are not respectfully attempting to engage in meaningful or
educational conversations. They don't want a conversation, they want
to argue and shame. They are spreading malicious rude words across
the internet, full of HATRED, for themselves and others. This is not
a productive way of dealing with anything. Also, they are constantly
threatening, using rude and derogatory (and often "racist")
words to bully others into their way of thinking. As a performance
artist, I never push my opinions in people's faces. Rather, I gently
nudge them the direction I want them to go, allowing them to have
their OWN thought processes. To contemplate such painful and taboo
things like racism and sexuality and stereotypes. To come to their
OWN conclusions. No one wants to be told what to do or how to think.
But if we can humbly ENGAGE, respectfully consider, LISTEN and
respond WITHOUT HATE, maybe, just MAYBE we can learn something.
Together. As one people. I am not entirely Native, and I am not
entirely white. I never claim to speak for either side. But I WILL
use my art as I see it appropriate to ENGAGE BOTH SIDES in these
types of conversations.
This is something also totally overlooked. The Indians who are offended do not understand what its like to grow up in OKLAHOMA, knowing you are Native, and looking white. Being surrounded by cultural appropriation every day, being inundated with stereotypical images of the fantasized "Indian." I am not from Minnesota. I did not grow up on a reservation. I was, at best, an "Urban Native." I was raised by my Irish mother and grew up going to a Christian church. But as a child, I could see the racism and the stereotypes. They were everywhere, and I was both fascinated and concerned. I didn't grow up directly in the native community, and yet, I was surrounded by the culture. I spent so much of my youth researching my heritage, studying as if my life depended on it because I loved it. And thankfully, because I was in Oklahoma, received extensive education on American Indian history. My heros were Sequoyah and Chief Joseph. I ate frybread every chance I got. In middle school, I spent every weekend I could at Gilcrease Museum, soaking up every bit of historical information and staring at the beloved artifacts of the people I knew I belonged to. In high school, I graduated from an Arts and Sciences school, where I learned basket-weaving and beadwork. My mother worked at the largest western-wear retail store in the midwest, and while she sold cowboy boots and belt buckles, I would spend hours in the Native section. At that time I think Oklahoma was heavily steeped in "Indian" culture, both the authentic and the appropriated. It was the land of the cowboys and Indians... Just a few months ago, I returned to Oklahoma after being away for many years. I was horrified and shocked to see that, while there was still tons of Native images everywhere, it had definitely changed. It was no longer the land of the cowboys and Indians, just the cowboys. I went to visit the western-wear store my mother used to work at, and to my dismay, there is no longer a Native section. No handmade jewelry, no leather, no rainmakers, no Native-made ANYTHING. This I found to be so disturbing. At a time in our history when everyone is so worried about being politically correct, and natives are so quick to take offense at cultural appropriation, what is the end result? If you remove every "offensive" image, if you erase all the stereotypes, what is left? A world where, the Indian is indeed, invisible.
I will never lose my Native pride! It's my heritage too, and it's a part of me even if they don't think I'm Native enough. I was raised with an awareness of my heritage, and at a young age I remember having a deep sense of pride in that. Yes, I am Cherokee. No, I don't have my tribal card. Not all of us are privileged enough to get that. You can thank the US Government's complicated and misrepresented documentation and complicated requirements for my ancestors to be included on the rolls. You can blame the genocide that took place, leaving those that survived to continue life in the land that I was raised on. There seems to be a derogatory attitude expressed by Natives from Minnesota towards Cherokees. I find this really sad. There are so many of us who are Cherokee by ancestry but who are not considered members of the Cherokee Nation. But growing up in Oklahoma, I was taught to never, ever lose my Native pride!
That being said, it must also be made clear that while my stage name is "Tomahawk Tassels," I actually use the name Tomahawk every day in normal life. This is my name, and the only name I have used or responded to for many, many years. The name which keeps getting thrown around by dissenters and critics was my legal name at birth, NOT a name I have used or responded to in over 12 years! THAT name is a name I despise, will NOT respond to, and have chosen to remove from my life since high school. It is not the real me and I find it disrespectful to insist on calling me by a name I do not use. I AM Tomahawk. If you don't like that, call me Tommie.
Let it be known I don't claim or intend to represent all Native American women, or be the spokeswoman for them. I represent ME. And as an artist, it must be acknowledged that our art is a direct result and expression of where we came from. I came from Oklahoma, and as a Native and Irish kid it is now so obvious that I was a child of a very complex situation. When you are attracted to your heritage, but only able to consume it. When you look around you for a connection to a past you can almost remember, but are told you're not Native enough, while at the same time, never feeling like you really belong in the "white" community either. It is not a new problem. I am incredibly inspired by the controversial artists who dare to explore these complicated problems, the pain of "the half-breed." And as a sexually realized woman, I stand onstage representing MYSELF. It is about empowerment, pride, and humor. The first step to combatting rape culture, regardless of race or ethnicity, is to take ownership of one's own sexuality.
There are many conversations to be had. Many topics to explore. I will be posting as often as possible, and will do my best to cover as many topics and perspectives as I'm able to handle.
This is something also totally overlooked. The Indians who are offended do not understand what its like to grow up in OKLAHOMA, knowing you are Native, and looking white. Being surrounded by cultural appropriation every day, being inundated with stereotypical images of the fantasized "Indian." I am not from Minnesota. I did not grow up on a reservation. I was, at best, an "Urban Native." I was raised by my Irish mother and grew up going to a Christian church. But as a child, I could see the racism and the stereotypes. They were everywhere, and I was both fascinated and concerned. I didn't grow up directly in the native community, and yet, I was surrounded by the culture. I spent so much of my youth researching my heritage, studying as if my life depended on it because I loved it. And thankfully, because I was in Oklahoma, received extensive education on American Indian history. My heros were Sequoyah and Chief Joseph. I ate frybread every chance I got. In middle school, I spent every weekend I could at Gilcrease Museum, soaking up every bit of historical information and staring at the beloved artifacts of the people I knew I belonged to. In high school, I graduated from an Arts and Sciences school, where I learned basket-weaving and beadwork. My mother worked at the largest western-wear retail store in the midwest, and while she sold cowboy boots and belt buckles, I would spend hours in the Native section. At that time I think Oklahoma was heavily steeped in "Indian" culture, both the authentic and the appropriated. It was the land of the cowboys and Indians... Just a few months ago, I returned to Oklahoma after being away for many years. I was horrified and shocked to see that, while there was still tons of Native images everywhere, it had definitely changed. It was no longer the land of the cowboys and Indians, just the cowboys. I went to visit the western-wear store my mother used to work at, and to my dismay, there is no longer a Native section. No handmade jewelry, no leather, no rainmakers, no Native-made ANYTHING. This I found to be so disturbing. At a time in our history when everyone is so worried about being politically correct, and natives are so quick to take offense at cultural appropriation, what is the end result? If you remove every "offensive" image, if you erase all the stereotypes, what is left? A world where, the Indian is indeed, invisible.
I will never lose my Native pride! It's my heritage too, and it's a part of me even if they don't think I'm Native enough. I was raised with an awareness of my heritage, and at a young age I remember having a deep sense of pride in that. Yes, I am Cherokee. No, I don't have my tribal card. Not all of us are privileged enough to get that. You can thank the US Government's complicated and misrepresented documentation and complicated requirements for my ancestors to be included on the rolls. You can blame the genocide that took place, leaving those that survived to continue life in the land that I was raised on. There seems to be a derogatory attitude expressed by Natives from Minnesota towards Cherokees. I find this really sad. There are so many of us who are Cherokee by ancestry but who are not considered members of the Cherokee Nation. But growing up in Oklahoma, I was taught to never, ever lose my Native pride!
That being said, it must also be made clear that while my stage name is "Tomahawk Tassels," I actually use the name Tomahawk every day in normal life. This is my name, and the only name I have used or responded to for many, many years. The name which keeps getting thrown around by dissenters and critics was my legal name at birth, NOT a name I have used or responded to in over 12 years! THAT name is a name I despise, will NOT respond to, and have chosen to remove from my life since high school. It is not the real me and I find it disrespectful to insist on calling me by a name I do not use. I AM Tomahawk. If you don't like that, call me Tommie.
 |
| Risen Phoenix Photo |
Let it be known I don't claim or intend to represent all Native American women, or be the spokeswoman for them. I represent ME. And as an artist, it must be acknowledged that our art is a direct result and expression of where we came from. I came from Oklahoma, and as a Native and Irish kid it is now so obvious that I was a child of a very complex situation. When you are attracted to your heritage, but only able to consume it. When you look around you for a connection to a past you can almost remember, but are told you're not Native enough, while at the same time, never feeling like you really belong in the "white" community either. It is not a new problem. I am incredibly inspired by the controversial artists who dare to explore these complicated problems, the pain of "the half-breed." And as a sexually realized woman, I stand onstage representing MYSELF. It is about empowerment, pride, and humor. The first step to combatting rape culture, regardless of race or ethnicity, is to take ownership of one's own sexuality.
There are many conversations to be had. Many topics to explore. I will be posting as often as possible, and will do my best to cover as many topics and perspectives as I'm able to handle.
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate and support your perspective.
ReplyDeleteI personally have always loved your Burlesque image even before I knew you were part Cherokee. I loved the cheeky Indian pinup dancing and stripping and most importantly enjoying herself on stage. Never once did I ever then look at the Indian nation and think less of them because of your acts/images. And I never felt white guilt, because in the end regardless of stereotypes, I know in my heart I am never going to treat a person of another culture any different than I would my own family. So because of that I am a big fan of people, cultures, ideas, everything becoming an exaggerated caricature of itself! Burlesque is in itself, mockery and celebration!
ReplyDeleteWhile I can't begin to understand the crossfire you are going through, I am sad that you are feeling the need to put your Native acts on hold. I always thought that your acts gave a bit of a nostalgic variety in between the classics and the cosplay characters that grace the stages today. (Both of which I love.)
My question to you is... Do you think you would be having this much controversy if you looked full blooded Cherokee? My guess is no, and my guess is you would be celebrated for it from all corners of the Earth. In my opinion, it isn't what you are doing, what you are wearing, what you are portraying, but that you are not brown enough to be doing it.
I really do hope you bring back the native acts and people start to understand that it's ok to laugh at themselves no matter what culture they, you, me come from.
It doesn't matter what she looks like. You are trivializing our concerns to her skin color. You don't understand that simple concept?
DeleteI, seriously, don't understand what the controversy is about. I've seen you perform many times and have a very similar background. I'm white and native. I'm from the deep south, and the longest I've ever lived in one place was Oklahoma. Oklahoma was the first place anyone recognized that I was part Native. It's fun being white, Native, and everyone thinking you're Japanese!
ReplyDeleteI always found you're act humorous, non-disrespectful, and empowering. I would much rather see someone acknowledging there heritage with humor and intelligence than to see two full Native, fully grown men getting in a drunken brawl in the back of Saver's at 6:30 in the afternoon. Priorities people.
In my, mixed up not fully white or fully native, opinion you have nothing to be ashamed of or apologize for.
Be true to yourself,
Mutt(cause I am one)
I'm so glad you chose this platform to have your say. You're amazing,smart, funny & loyal and it comes out in everything you do, especially your dancing.
ReplyDeleteThe people that watch your act are empowered by you. They admire and look up to you as a strong woman, who is proud of her body, proud of her heritage, and not afraid to show it. They do not want to rape you. They do not leave and feel they need to go find a Native woman and rape her. I feel like the people that object to your acts are holding onto that negative stereotype themselves - not your audiences. I have watched the faces of people while you've performed, and it has been overwhelmingly with admiration and respect. People need to realize that sexuality isn't bad, even if they have had negative experiences themselves, that is not everyone's experience. You have reclaimed the image of the Native woman that you are, and said - I am beautiful, I am strong, I am proud, and I am free of the negativity of the past. You present a positive image in my opinion, and being sexy does not take away from that positivity in any way.
ReplyDeleteKati, I am Cherokee. And I have never used any Sacred items onstage. I don't think all who don't agree with me are Haters. I actually defined the term on the "About the Haters" page. Please read it.
ReplyDeletehttp://tomahawktasselscultureandcontroversy.blogspot.com/p/about-haters.html
A headdress is a sacred item...and I see u posed many times with one on....and furthermore the headdress is from the plains..not even cherokee...so you appropriate their sacred item,,,I do not hate...you are calling people haters for calling you out on your blatent disrespect for our spiritual culture, regalia is not a costume...its not a toy...maybe you need to go talk to some of your cherokee elders..learn about your culture, traditions and spirituality and how it all connects...so you can understand why so many native people are offended, instead of dismissing us as haters.
ReplyDeletehello ms riley, with all respect to how you view your performances as art, and i can understand being a fan of our local 'nude nights' every year (the conflict between freedom of expression and cultural appropriateNESS) and how you want to educate your audience and those you perceive to be haters who by the way risk bringing you more publicity and attention. all the explanation is nice but please remember we are not naive children certainly not at 6 decades as i am to how we justify why we do what we do. one day when you tire of doing what you are doing it may dawn on you how exhausting it was to fight and provoke the 'haters' as you call us mostly native americans who suffer, survived, and respect in love for our heritages and listen to our grandparents, aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers, elders. we listen and then of course we will mostly go do what we want. it's part of growing up, taking risks seeing where they all take us in life...the hurtful and senseless part of your co-opting yours and our native american heritage into your performance art is both the surface messages of demeaning reminders of a painful 'history' and second softened with sensuality to make it more sexually desirable to the untrained mind who by the way pays for such experiences. you sell betrayal of a beautiful, tragic cultural heritage with no concern of how you understand your own feelings on the issue. as someone who is part native american as you say...there is no such thing as 'part' anything...which part of you is native american and which part is not?? your identification seems more to want to deny your native americanness for the joy of doing your art. fair enough. where i am very confused is how you reconcile calling native americcans and allies who criticize, compain, discourage "HATERS". when one denies, defends, then one projects their only thought is to fight or fly. and when you call us 'HATERS' this tells me you are conflicted in how you reconcile your work with your ideals...if you are in denial of you native americanness then admit that to yourself first and try to justify less, teach less what it is you think we need to know to accept and understand you more. we get it, we really do way before you needed to explain here. this is just another subconscious stall tactic for your own awareness to reconcile with your interior feelings of being native american. i do not ask you to accept, feel, be anything but your authentic self. but please remember your native american blood in you is loud and will only speak the truth to your spirit louder. we the 'haters' only give voice to that which you already know but do not wish to come to some peace with. with respect, blessing, peace, prayers sister.
ReplyDeleteSo will you be doing blackface now?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to me how non-natives continue to say we are stuck in the past. Please, for those who say that, educate yourselves. There are issues that we are facing and fighting today. This cultural misappropriation that Amanda Riley is participating in is one of the many issues. I do not believe she is Cherokee, she will never be able to prove it, and she was never raised this way. She's really said all of this herself with her ever changing stories. If so, what band and clan you are? You were born Amanda Riley, but chose to change the name because it's not "Indian" enough for you, I suppose? It does not matter if you have been told by family members that you are Cherokee, it does not matter if you have an ancestor on the Rolls, it does not matter if you attempt to dress in traditional regalia; you were not raised with our ways. You were not taught our ways. This makes you white. And you, Amanda Riley, have bought into the white man's way. Please don't deny it. Everything about you is white. Saying that and bringing it to your attention is NOT racist, it's also not punitive. There is nothing wrong with being white until you pull the wrong against Native culture you are pulling. OK, we get it, you're going through an identity crisis because you believe you are Cherokee. You say that none of the props you use on stage are sacred. Have you ever stopped to think that you claiming to be Native in combination with wearing a headdress and all other things Native while you are on stage gives the false impression to others who find Native culture "appealing" that it is alright to appropriate Native culture? Have you ever really thought about this? Have you thought about what everyone has been saying to you? Do you think those of us who have responded to your "act" and your claims are just making this up? Are you saying that this is not an issue for Natives? Since you falsely claim to be Native, are you saying that the culture is nothing more than a show piece? Is this how you feel about a culture that isn't yours, but you so badly wish to appropriate? You are claiming to be Native, yet you know absolutely nothing about it, you know nothing about being Native. You're only trying to claim it because you think it will excuse your wrongdoing or give you some sort of privilege to continue doing what you're doing.I have news for you: even if you were a card-carrying, full blood Native who DID live the Native way and were brought up that way, you'd get the same responses if you carried on with this act of yours. Because one Native says it is alright, does that make it suddenly alright and a moot point? You keep calling people who disagree with you haters because they've confronted you about this. That's not really fair to anyone. Do not say Natives are the ones offending you when you're the one who has offended us. Here's another idea that you fail to realize. All of the Natives who have tried talking to you and getting through to you ARE Native and no true Native would EVER play around with Native culture like you have. Please stop also trying to explain how you are misunderstood. Are you saying we are stupid and just can't grasp the concept of Burlesque? I have much respect for that art--yes, I believe it to be an art--and Dita Von Teese and Josephine Baker are/were respected in their fields. Fortunately, they never offended an entire culture, they never appropriated another culture for their acts. Unfortunately, you have and that's all you'll ever be famous for now.
ReplyDeletePink, it is not acceptable to question someone's heritage with no evidence. This contest between who is more native than the next person is immature at best. And you don't have the right to tell a person what their background is, what their race is, or what their culture is. Try worrying about your own life or real issues rather than slandering others you don't agree with. By the way, all cultures are intermixed and appropriated, so it is impossible and pointless to try to protect Native American culture from that reality. It is part of being in the world.
DeleteSince your "Performance Art" is about sensuality and sexuality why do it wearing Swastikas and and "Klan" items or what about wearing the Popes hat?
ReplyDeleteAs far as never wearing Sacred items on stage, you don't have to. Ir's the fact that you wear them at all. It is the fact that you've misappropriated someone else's culture because you have no culture of your own.
Your "part" Cherokee? Really? So you have your CDIB then to right?
boozhoo. i have seen your act and it is great. i am a viking who grew up on the rez so Ojibway is almost a second language. i was a bit put off at first when i saw your act, but it is fun and cute sexy and without malice. so dance on! and the hell with haters.
ReplyDeleteTo Kati Kati. Specifically, how does Tomahawk Tassels disrespect you, or anyone or anything else?
ReplyDeletehello ms riley, with all respect to how you view your performances as art, and i can understand being a fan of our local 'nude nights' every year (the conflict between freedom of expression and cultural appropriateNESS) and how you want to educate your audience and those you perceive to be haters who by the way risk bringing you more publicity and attention. all the explanation is nice but please remember we are not naive children certainly not at 6 decades as i am to how we justify why we do what we do. one day when you tire of doing what you are doing it may dawn on you how exhausting it was to fight and provoke the 'haters' as you call us mostly native americans who suffer, survived, and respect in love for our heritages and listen to our grandparents, aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers, elders. we listen and then of course we will mostly go do what we want. it's part of growing up, taking risks seeing where they all take us in life...the hurtful and senseless part of your co-opting yours and our native american heritage into your performance art is both the surface messages of demeaning reminders of a painful 'history' and second softened with sensuality to make it more sexually desirable to the untrained mind who by the way pays for such experiences. you sell betrayal of a beautiful, tragic cultural heritage with no concern of how you understand your own feelings on the issue. as someone who is part native american as you say...there is no such thing as 'part' anything...which part of you is native american and which part is not?? your identification seems more to want to deny your native americanness for the joy of doing your art. fair enough. where i am very confused is how you reconcile calling native americcans and allies who criticize, compain, discourage "HATERS". when one denies, defends, then one projects their only thought is to fight or fly. and when you call us 'HATERS' this tells me you are conflicted in how you reconcile your work with your ideals...if you are in denial of you native americanness then admit that to yourself first and try to justify less, teach less what it is you think we need to know to accept and understand you more. we get it, we really do way before you needed to explain here. this is just another subconscious stall tactic for your own awareness to reconcile with your interior feelings of being native american. i do not ask you to accept, feel, be anything but your authentic self. but please remember your native american blood in you is loud and will only speak the truth to your spirit louder. we the 'haters' only give voice to that which you already know but do not wish to come to some peace with. with respect, blessing, peace, prayers sister.
ReplyDeleteJosephine Baker danced an african dance with bananas around her waist! She was reportedly half white and half black.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete