So I realize I haven't posted on here awhile. Believe me, it's not because I haven't wanted to! I have done so much research the last couple months, it's become a bit overwhelming. Many more blog posts to come. But first I've got to sort through the hundreds of images, references, videos, articles, etc. Like I've said, this is a multi-faceted issue. One that's NOT just going to disappear overnight. Issues like racism, stereotyping, cultural appropriation, satire, censorship, rape, and Native American culture and history (and misinterpretations of it) are practically LIMITLESS. I have my perspective and opinions, but I want to take my time in explaining them properly. I'm in no rush. Also, there are so many perspectives and layers and issues to focus on! My plan is tackle them one at a time.
BUT FOR NOW... I wanted to (FINALLY!) share a story of something that has happened fairly recently. A story that I find to be incredibly unfair, and worth being published. Let it be known that the REASON I have waited until NOW to release this story is because I did not want it to seem like I was in any way intending to sabotage the event. I wanted to allow the event to take place, with plenty of room to breath before I shared this story. I wanted it to be as successful as it could be without my involvement or support, because I believe in the organization as a whole. It has now been well over a week, and I am itching to get this out!
Since first hearing of it in 2011, I have been a strong supporter of "SlutWalk," the international protest march against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's dress or appearance. It is fundamentally a radical feminist organization challenging the "Slut" stereotype, victim blaming, shaming and misogynistic attitudes. SlutWalk is a huge organization, led by women. Their Facebook page has almost 30,000 followers, with protest marches in practically every major city you can think of. Women are encouraged to dress however provocatively they want, because sexy clothing does NOT = consent.
I believe in SlutWalk so much, that I even referred to them in my Vita.mn interview about the controversy and have felt like during all the shaming and blaming directed towards me, they are the organization I have felt most aligned to that fully explain my perspective.
Which is WHY I was thrilled when I was asked to be a featured performer in "The Slut Freeze," a big fundraising event for SlutWalk Minneapolis. I was originally asked to join the show by Cherry BombJac, the event coordinator and owner/operator of BurlesqueMN and producer of The Wicked Wenches Cabaret. I was excited and pleased to join the show, scheduled to take place at The Saloon on Saturday, March 23rd.
I confirmed to perform, of course choosing to only do my "non-Native" acts, staying true to my public statement of suspension. (See "The Backstory" for full explanation.) I was scheduled to perform my new Mary Poppins act, to "Spoonful of Sugar." Not offensive to the Native community in the least.
I received this email in confirmation:
Tomahawk:
We are so honoured that you wish to perform in our fundraiser event. Your talent and performances are awesome and people have told me that you are one of the BEST in the country.
Wow! :)
Whatever you'd like to perform is fine with me. Our theme is Sexpositivity and Being Proud of being a Sexual Person and however you want to interpret that, please please use your artistic talents to do so.
I'll add you to the chain email so you're kept current with what's going on.
Thank you so much again for wanting to be part of our fundraiser!
Kimberia Sherva
Executive Director, SlutWalk Minneapolis
Great, I thought. Super stoked to do it. That was on March 3rd. I was really happy that, in the middle of all this controversy, I would be able to perform as a featured headliner with the organization I felt MOST sided with my perspective and has fought on the forefront for women's rights to express themselves however "slutty" they want without being blamed as the victim. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to stand with them and publicly show what I believe and the perspective I'm coming from!
Their motto is It’s not “don’t get raped”, it’s “don’t rape”
100% AGAINST RAPE CULTURE!
Needless to say, I was rather shocked and appalled when, just 4 days after confirming, I received THIS:
Hi there!
Thank you very much for the information.
I do want to discuss the issues that have come up concerning your performance and name and what both sides have talked about concerning both.
Thank you for changing your performance. The Mary Poppins sounds great and I'm sure will go over well (just like a teaspoon of sugar!) :)
Frankly, this whole thing puts us between a rock and a hard place and this is a really hard email to write because I hate Drama Llama stuff.
I very much understand that you have built up a brand with your performance name. I also understand why people in the American Indian community find your name troubling to them. I know that you've built up an audience based on your professional performances and artistry as well. So I can see both sides of what's going on.
SlutWalks world wide have received criticism from minority groups for not being inclusive and for ignoring the issues of minority women. SlutWalk Minneapolis has made a continuous effort to reach out to all communities, including the Hmong, African-American, Muslim, and American Indian communities. We've had people of all diversities and colour come to our events and we want to make sure that our door is always open to everyone.
One of the biggest issues we've pushed hard against was the watered down version of VAWA. We've been vocal on Twitter about not backing down from demanding that the American Indian women be given the full protection that the new VAWA can provide. We're pretty happy that it has passed and that for the first time ever, American Indians can prosecute rapists who come prey on Reservations solely because they knew they'd not be punished for it.
I know you've intended your act to be satire towards the sexualization that American Indians go through. Unfortunately, most people are only going to see the sexual aspect of it and tie it into the whole culture of marginalization/sexualization. In other words, you're unknowingly tying into it when you're trying to get others to see what's wrong with it.
SlutWalk Minneapolis has to walk their talk or we're not going to be looked at as an organization with integrity. It wouldn't be right for us to be outspoken for American Indians' rights and then ignore what's going on here just for a fundraiser. That makes us look pretty awful, actually, and it's not fair to you as well.
I'd like to give you a couple of options.
1. You'd still perform your act but we wouldn't put you on the poster with your name. Because your act is not the one that people have protested against (and are happy that you've changed), we see no problem with having your act in the show. Because your name is the ongoing issue, we would compromise and not publicize it and leave it up to you to invite people to the show.
2. You decide to debut a new show name. We would be thrilled to publicize and promote you if you decided to put aside the name you're using now and introduce a new performing persona. We'd put you on the poster (new name formerly known as) and you are more than welcome to promote yourself and tell people to catch your new act and name at the fundraiser. It would be a great opportunity to kickstart yourself to the community.
Either is your choice to make. Of course, if you choose not to perform at all, I understand. I'm not here to force you to do anything but I do have to stand by our Mission statement and our broad community involvement.
I'm very sorry that I was unaware of what has been going on in the community. I would have talked to you about it from the get go and saw where you stand before asking you to perform.
Whatever you decide to do, I'll support and respect. Please let me know by Sunday as I'm going to get the invite created and I can take your decision into account before the weekend is over.
I've cc'd: Wicked Wenches, Kalila, and my vice chair so we all know what's going on and so everyone knows how and why I've emailed you about this.
Thank you very much,
Kimberia
They then followed that up with another email informing me they would also accept "Tommie Tassels" as my name on the bill... Which would be WEIRD, considering I go by Tomahawk, or the nickname "Tommie" in my everyday life. To mix that with "Tassels," my stage name just seems silly to me. Also: NOT MY NAME! And not the name you asked to BOOK.
I really truly did think about my "options." I toyed with some names and concepts that I've been playing with and considering for years, LONG before all this controversy and demand that I change my name. But nothing really made sense, and to do that would be a permanent decision. One I did NOT want to make. These were not "options," however well intended they may be... THIS was an ULTIMATUM. It felt like black mail almost. So, after 4 days of honest thought and consideration, I finally responded with this.
After much thought and deliberation, I have ultimately decided that if these are my options it is best for me to not perform in your benefit show. While I absolutely understand you feel you are being put in a difficult position, this ultimatum puts me in an even more difficult position. I have made the public statement suspending all Native acts, and stand by that presently. It must be acknowledged, however, that this decision was made primarily for my safety! Not a decision I wanted to make. I have been endangered in this controversy, and the target for multiple violent threats, to myself and the burlesque community, by various individuals from the Native community. This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and as you can imagine has been extremely painful as my entire identity, both as an artist and a human being have been under public scrutiny.
I am in no way ashamed of any of my performances or actions in the past. I am an artist, and continue to stand by my intentions as an artist, as well as my freedom of expression. I hear you that you want to be inclusive to minority groups and welcome people of all diversities and colors. It is a huge relief that the VAWA has finally been passed, and a travesty that Native women on reservations have not been protected! I have been doing this performance art as Tomahawk Tassels for a long time, and I think it was just serendipitous that all of this controversy came out at the time that it did, when the VAWA was a major social and political concern. To blame ONE performer for countless violent acts towards native women seems very unfair. This, to me, is very similar to victim blaming and the entire attitude behind shaming and rape culture. I have simply been an easy target, someone to point the finger to for a problem that far exceeds my performance art or public persona. I have always supported and stood by Slutwalk, as your organization parallels my perspective as a burlesque performer. I am a feminist, who has taught hundreds of women the art of striptease. It is incredibly empowering, and an art form that CELEBRATES the body. I am 100% against rape culture and the misogynistic attitudes that pervade our communities even now. Which is why, especially given the recent controversy surrounding my acts, was extremely excited to be a featured performer for your benefit show!
You are right, I have built up a brand and a massive fan-base worldwide around my performance name. I have been doing this since 2006, and have performed around the country and Internationally, have been featured on national television, and performed in many Burlesque Festivals and events. My name is recognizable. Unlike you, I do not, however, understand why people in the American Indian community find my name troubling to them. I have heard many, many opinions from them around this, but I do not see why my NAME is offensive! It is my name. It is my identity, both on and offstage. It is WHO I AM. To demand that I change it seems unfair. Why should I be asked to erase the part of myself I am so proud of? I have already made a HUGE effort to appease them by suspending my Native acts in an attempt to engage in conversations with the community about these issues. I continue to do this, and to take a step back, humbly, as an artist looking at all of this objectively and with an open heart. I have even started a blog to discuss these issues more in depth, and to further explain my side of things. I would encourage you to check it out and follow me in this journey.
To be given an ultimatum such as this, is really painful. Talk about being put between a rock and a hard place! I hear you that you were unaware of the controversy when you asked me to perform, and I see that you are attempting to appease everyone by offering these "options." I simply cannot agree to them because it would mean not being true to myself, both personally and as an artist. One of the reasons I was excited to do this show was because I very strongly support your organization, and it was a chance to publicize my stance on rape culture, etc. To perform without any publicity seems counter-productive, and negates the point. Also it makes me feel unsupported as an artist by your organization when I would be donating my time and talent to you. Not to mention that THIS EXACT attitude supports what I am against. I refuse to be bullied or pushed into decisions I don't want to make. I stand behind my name and have NO intention of changing it. To ask a performer to perform in your event, but ONLY if they change their NAME(!!!!!) or choose to do it without any publicity just seems so wrong to me. Why have them in your show if you are not supportive of them? Again, I understand you feel you are in a difficult position and are doing this to cover your ass, but I am honestly very disappointed. I would have assumed that an organization such as Slutwalk would be fundamentally against Censorship. Many of the most provocative, compelling and controversial artists in history have been censored, so in a way I guess I consider it an honor. It is not true art until it offends someone! In my opinion, it really goes back to the artists' heart and intentions. I know that I have pure intentions and my heart as an artist has always been to make a statement about the absurd stereotypes of my culture.
For the time being, I will continue to perform "non-Native" burlesque acts, but again, it pains me deeply to be censored in this way. As always, I support and stand behind your organization and believe we should be able to act as free human beings, both sexually and artistically. Someone somewhere will always find this freedom offensive, or take it as a pass to extend harsh judgement, or shame, or even violence. It is a challenge I courageously accept to stand strong and proud, naked and unashamed, not "asking for it," but showing the world that THIS IS WHO I AM and I am proud of that.
I wish you well in your benefit show and all future endeavors. If you change your mind about my performance, please know I would be happy to contribute anytime and strongly support your cause. But I MUST remain true to myself, and refuse to be pushed into decisions that are not my own. Thank you for your time, consideration, and understanding.
Sincerely,
Tomahawk Tassels
They simply responded in polite acceptance of my decision.
Tomahawk:
Thank you very much for taking the time and consideration to send this very thoughtful email.
I appreciate your feedback and wish you the very best in your burlesque career.
Best wishes,
Kimberia
Welp, that sucks, I thought. I had spent all day writing and editing my email, then very quickly got the response back. I left to teach my weekly Hip-Hop dance class (yes I teach Hip-Hop!) feeling very sad and defeated, and was doing my best to put it behind me. THEN I returned home a few hours later to find THIS in my inbox:
Greetings,
After much discussion with my troupe, The Wicked Wenches must now also decline to participate in this event in light of your shocking choices concerning Tomahawk Tassels.
I know you've intended your act to be satire towards the sexualization that American Indians go through. Unfortunately, most people are only going to see the sexual aspect of it and tie it into the whole culture of marginalization/sexualization. In other words, you're unknowingly tying into it when you're trying to get others to see what's wrong with it.
To have an organization, such as the Slut Walk take this stance is disturbing and painful. Slut Walk is supposed to be a fore front advocate of any woman's right to be sexual, open and artistic in any context, at any time without fear or shame. Yet the above states that because "most people" won't understand her act that she is promoting rape culture IE she's asking for it because she is stripping. Well then all of us burlesque performers are "asking for it" because "most people" don't understand the satire we are representing.
Your demand that Tomahawk change her stage name or perform unknown is the exact type of slut shaming you claim to fight against. The accusations against her that her acts somehow promote the ongoing sexual assault of Native (or Non Native) women are unfounded, and appalling. We expected Slut Walk representatives to understand this and are very disappointed to find out otherwise.
Good luck with your future endeavors.
Wicked Wenches
My jaw hit the floor. I was stunned! In this entire situation, I have felt SO ALONE. Never did I even consider that someone would stand up and speak for me or defend me! Let alone drop out of the show on my behalf! There was also this sweet message in my Facebook inbox:
- March 11
Later several other local performers either dropped out of the event or declined when asked to perform, in support of my decision and rejecting that kind of attitude and shaming ultimatum that one wouldn't expect from an organization like SlutWalk.
I truly expected much more from SlutWalk, as an organization I've always supported and looked to for inspiration. I certainly didn't expect to see anyone stand up to them in my defense, as they aimed to single me out and shame me into complying to the name change. It has been a painful last couple months for me, and I was genuinely excited for the opportunity join forces with SlutWalk in this performance, as an opportunity to speak out publicly against rape culture and victim blaming. Not to mention freedom of expression as an artist. But yes, this kind of behavior is exactly what we are struggling AGAINST as free, empowered women and as performance artists!
A slam to one is a slam to all. As far as I can see, this kind of language only supports the misogynistic attitude we are trying to speak out against. I am constantly focusing on encouraging women, empowering women, and pushing women to be fearless and free, both on and offstage. I commend Cherry BombJac, The Wicked Wenches, and the others for standing up and making this difficult decision. I believe we ALL will benefit from strong choices such as these.
I learned the battle against rape culture is bigger than we realize. These twisted ways of thinking can manage to rear their ugly heads even among those you might consider allies. Even in the organizations we use to fight it.
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| Image by Georgie Morley |
Finally, I'd like to post a thread from my Facebook page that further discusses this. It began with a simple definition of the word "Censorship," but after explaining WHY I posted it, the conversation picks up. Mostly to be noted are the responses from SHARLA STREMSKI who is the Vice Chair of SlutWalk Minneapolis, and the face for the Slut Freeze poster (above). Yes she makes some good points. But I still don't think it is an excuse for their behavior.
CENSORSHIP: The suppression of words, images, or ideas that are "offensive," happens whenever some people succeed in imposing their personal political or moral values on others. Censorship can be carried out by the government as well as private pressure groups. Censorship by the government is unconstitutional.
I'd love to know... WHAT DO YOU THINK? And what do you think of SlutWalk Minneapolis and their decision to give me this ultimatum???
