Why I made my own Headdress
puppytroy:
I spoke with an advisor and others and there are a few reasons this headdress is acceptable. 1. it is not made with cerimonial feathers. 2. many different cultures have feathered headdresses, not just native american peoples, and to say that i am specifically targeting them is a little racist in itself
So while I understand that currently media has highlighted this as a “negative” trend due to things such as No Doubt poor song choice to go along with their native american themed music video, and Victoria’s Secret seemingly throwing it onto one their almost naked models (which yes, i totally see how THAT is offensive), personally, i don’t see how this instance should offend native people since it is not a native american headdress. I promise that my close will remain on durring the duration of my wearing it… not that it should matter.
Further more, having read up on the subject before deciding to go ahead with making the headdress, it seems there are a few main reasons native people are getting frustrated. first would be the manner in which they are being presented (i.e. no doubt and victoria’s secret). second would be that women are wearing the headdresses when in their culture, only men are to wear them. third would be the spiritual symbolism of the eagle feather’s used to make them, which are not the kind of feathers i used or even attempted to simulate.
Lastly i’d like to state that while, yes, the headdress’ simple design was inspired by native american headdresses, but i also too influences from showgirl headdresses with the use of goose feathers. and why can’t my headdress, which I made myself, symbolize my own spirituality. just because there are other people who have made headdresses before me? next i’ll be offending some other group of people because i wear my shoes like they do, or eat a kind of food that they do.
I highly question your advisors justification on why wearing a replica of a headdress is okay
Regardless if its a replica or the real thing, male or female, Native or not, you do not have the right to steal and portray this item in such a manner
While your intentions may not be to offend, it does to us Native people