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[A Link to the Past]

You can't just check twitter. People lose their shit over T-shirts they don't like.
Much like when Christian Moms lost their shit at a JC Penney catalog featuring 2 male parents. They demanded JC Penney apologize and not do it again. Those moms feel its not representative of American and Christian Values. They can be mad at whatever they want. But I do think their anger is misplaced. Don't think that PC Principle people don't exist. They certainly do.

Much more likely than there being some serious outbreak of outrage over everything, you might just be seeing outrage in every nook and cranny.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

Now you've just dropped all pretense of actually being part of a discussion. Not that you were ever earnest about it to begin with.

If you're going to say it's never okay to questions one's level of being upset because that's how they feel, then yes, any example can apply.
If I'm genuinely offended by something, who are you to tell me that I can't be offended by your germ costume?

 

[A Link to the Past]

If you're going to say it's never okay to questions one's level of being upset because that's how they feel, then yes, any example can apply.
If I'm genuinely offended by something, who are you to tell me that I can't be offended by your germ costume?

Because in reality, we examine things individually. The comparison in and of itself is faulty because one is based around a bad personal experience, and the other is rooted in genocide and the escalating erasure of your history and culture.

This is a really poor "gotcha", almost as bad as the guy who made the big rant about Roman soldiers.

 

[LionPride]

You could just move on with your day. There's often a good chance people are doing something just to get a rise out of you. I see dumb shit I don't care for probably every day. Some white kid wearing a sombrero isn't a big deal.

You just don't get it bruh

 

[80s Bad Guy]

tryna make this about outrage culture, lol. There are people who are ignorant and people who aren't. It's really that simple.

Even potentially offending someone is not worth your dumb costume idea, especially if it leans on stereotype.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

Because in reality, we examine things individually.

This is a really shitty "gotcha", lol. Almost as bad as the guy who made the big rant about Roman soldiers.

If we aren't allowed to discuss the degree to which something is culturally insensitive and any reaction is considered perfectly legitimate on an individual level, then that throws out any usefulness of conversation.

 

[bluelightningduo]

I can't wait to be triggered on St. Patrick's Day.

 

[Dongs Macabre]

I might similarly argue that by focusing on such easy issues like costumes, nobody is paying attention to the more pressing issues. Fiction earlier posted a thread that he had made about a severe injustice done to Natives that was virtually ignored. Your claim that the caricaturing of a culture in the context of a costume party is the foundation for such larger injustices seems to me like an cop out of the fact that the machine of liberalism of this kind seems to be very miscalibrated. For instance, nobody has demonstrated that people who wear such costumes actually think less about Native Americans and thus do not care what happens to them. This is just something that people feel has to be true. I have seen no argument or evidence in this thread to support his inference. In essence, it is similar to the argument that video gamers who shoot virtual figures will also be more violent in real life. Because your attitude when it comes to silly occasions and non-serious entertainment reflects how you see things in real life.

The reason why I am investing too much time into this thread—which I did not originally intent—is not because I have a special issue with costumes in particular. What triggered me to respond here is that debates like this are a symptom of an attitude that I perceive on much of the liberal spectrum of politics (which I see as my team, and about which state I care the most): people are investing their attention on issues that allow for comfort activism. These are issue that can be easily summarized with a few memes, defended with emotional appeals, and used as ammunition in 140-character tweets. One does not have to inform oneself about complex topics; one does not need to read any books; and one does not need to defend an imperfect and thus uncomfortable solution against reactionary opposition. One can participate in this comfort activism just by claiming to defend oppressed people—which is why it so important to be able to claim to speak for those people—or by being offended by a guy dressing as a vagina; or by claiming that a girl dressing as a sexy nurse is wearing a sexist costume.

The risk that I see is that, while we haven't even established the actual relevance and consequences of causes like offensive costumes, larger issues and discussions go unnoticed and unaddressed; especially when they are complicated; and especially when they require us to propose and commit solutions, instead of just criticizing a status quo. Because the comfort activism was enough to satisfy the need to promote social justice and argue for liberal causes. I see this confirmed by the fact that every thread on more elaborate issues dies quickly, while threads like this one almost always achieve high post counts. Or by the fact that people are actually putting energy into arguing against cultural appropriation in canteen food; or similar other low-commitment issues. Because it's so easy to participate and adopt the cause.

It's ridiculous to reduce the posts in this thread explaining cultural appropriation to "comfort activism". That's whataboutism at its finest and serves only to discredit others without actually refuting their points. You claim that these so-called "comfort activists" don't inform themselves about these important subjects and present themselves as morally superior to others. However, it is clear that the ignorant ones are the people who make no effort in learning about why cultural appropriation is not okay. No one is saying that this makes them inherently bad people. Pointing out that dressing up as a stereotypical caricature of a race is no denunciation, no one is saying that people such as Chris Hemsworth are racists, but the act itself definitely is, just as blackface or yellowface are extremely offensive. Yes, it is racist to dress up as another race, another culture, one that has had to endure centuries of oppression and discrimination by white people. You say that these are just silly costumes, but that's exactly the reason why they are offensive. They reduce an entire people down to nothing more than a piece of clothing. When faced with explanations by actual Native Americans, giving their reasons why these caricatures are offensive, you can't just shrug and wave them away by saying that they don't have evidence that these people are intending to harm them or are showing any less respect towards them. The very nature of wearing such a costume shows a lack of respect towards their culture, reinforcing a status quo that greatly benefits white people over everyone else. Now, that doesn't mean that I speak for Native Americans, I could never do so, nor am I an expert on cultural appropriation. This is just my point of view based on what I've read about cultural appropriation, which seems to be in line with what many Native Americans think, given the posts by Native Americans in this thread and elsewhere on the Internet.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

I can't wait to be triggered on St. Patrick's Day.

Hey man. Whole lotta non Irish people are going to be Irish Caricatures that day.

 

[A Link to the Past]

If we aren't allowed to discuss the degree to which something is culturally insensitive and any reaction is considered perfectly legitimate on an individual level, then that throws out any usefulness of conversation.

Here's the problem with your conceit. You suggest that if we are considerate of the feelings of the people in question, we must also be considerate of the people in your scenario. Does this apply to any degree of consideration? For instance, would you make a similar comparison if the costume was blackface minstrel? I just need to establish a baseline so I can know when it becomes legitimately acceptable to be considerate.

 

[Sneds]

I can't wait to be triggered on St. Patrick's Day.

You're so clever and original! Well done on constructing an outstanding post.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

You just don't get it bruh

Here's my thoughts:

I'm all for discussing the merits to which something is appropriate and culturally insensitive. I think plenty of costumes are inappropriate and insensitive to people's genuine struggles and history.

That being said, I don't particularly care for the moral arbiters of the internet who get to decide what is and isn't acceptable in our culture. And if they see something they think doesn't fit their world view, then they feel compelled to try to make something go viral in an attempt to draw outrage from people on the internet.

I don't particularly care for this author who feels to be the moral arbiter of establishing what's okay and not okay to wear. The tone of the article bothers me.
Link
For clarity, I think most of those costumes are stupid and I wouldn't wear them myself.

I don't particularly think the Kim Jong Il is a major offender. And I think the illegal alien costume isn't as bad as blackface. But I suppose I'm not one to judge there. And I didn't think a pimp costume was a bad thing unless it was a kid dressed like that. I don't think dressing as a pimp means you don't respect women. I think they've got a fun iconic style, even if they are bad people.

Basically a quiz calling people's assholes and demanding people to take off their costume. At that point, articles like this begin to make me roll my eyes. I'm perfectly willing to listen to legitimate gripes about the lack of sensitivity in certain costumes. But at the same time, I don't particularly care for people who feel compelled to tell others what they can and can't wear.

 

[Boy Wander]

Maybe part of the problem here is that a lot of modern western societies have lost their cultural identities to the extent that we find it hard to empathise with minorities to whom such identities are held very dearly because it's one of the few things they have left?

 

[FormallyMegadrive]

Nothing says "party" quite like mockingly dressing up as the race of people your ancestors nearly eradicated.

Hes Australian. So we didn't.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

If you're going to say it's never okay to questions one's level of being upset because that's how they feel, then yes, any example can apply.
If I'm genuinely offended by something, who are you to tell me that I can't be offended by your germ costume?

You're absolutely free to be offended for whatever reason you want to be. I have no right to tell you otherwise. All that is left for discussion is whether or how much we can accommodate that. We cannot restricts people's freedom to have their prejudice little 'Wild Wild West' parties no more than we can restrict the KKK from having their burn crossing cookouts. That doesn't mean we just ignore or tell people upset by either instance that they're not right to feel that way. They are absolutely, 100%, without a freaking doubt, warranted to feel upset. And they have every right to want to express that dissatisfaction and hold a discussion on how it can be improved.

 

[LionPride]

Here's my thoughts:

I'm all for discussing the merits to which something is appropriate and culturally insensitive. I think plenty of costumes are inappropriate and insensitive to people's genuine struggles and history.

That being said, I don't particularly care for the moral arbiters of the internet who get to decide what is and isn't acceptable in our culture. And if they see something they think doesn't fit their world view, then they feel compelled to try to make something go viral in an attempt to draw outrage from people on the internet.

I don't particularly care for this author who feels to be the moral arbiter of establishing what's okay and not okay to wear. The tone of the article bothers me.
Link
For clarity, I think most of those costumes are stupid and I wouldn't wear them myself.

I don't particularly think the Kim Jong Il is a major offender. And I think the illegal alien costume isn't as bad as blackface. But I suppose I'm not one to judge there. And I didn't think a pimp costume was a bad thing unless it was a kid dressed like that. I don't think dressing as a pimp means you don't respect women. I think they've got a fun iconic style, even if they are bad people.

Basically a quiz calling people's assholes and demanding people to take off their costume. At that point, articles like this begin to make me roll my eyes. I'm perfectly willing to listen to legitimate gripes about the lack of sensitivity in certain costumes. But at the same time, I don't particularly care for people who feel compelled to tell others what they can and can't wear.

You ever realize most if not all of this shit revolving around costumes tend to be because the costume is racist or something shitty like a Nazi costume? Stuff that common sense would tell people to not do

 

[Grinchy]

Hes Australian. So we didn't.

Maybe you haven't heard about the Australians who flushed smallpox-infested blankets down their toilets to travel through the Earth's core and emerge on the other side to kill the natives.

 

[Patapwn]

No, I don't. I think that your contributions to this thread has been to complain about outrage culture, PC police, SJWs, etc. and to generally ignore perspectives from those who are directly affected. I think that there is a good baseline for empathy, and through both your seeming inability to understand where the affected are coming from and how often people have to tell you to read the thread, you're well below that baseline. So yes, I am just going to reaffirm that your perception of people as irrational here is a product of your lack of understanding.

Ahh, so you just give people blank checks to be outraged. I know you probably don't feel that way, but that's your position stripped of PC culture rhetoric.

You keeps saying I don't understand. What exactly don't I understand? That white people dressing up in Indian costumes conjures up some hurtful emotions in some native people? Yeah, I get that. But the emotion response from these people is not rational and a huge interpolation of the true context. I've been hurt before, I've taken benign situations the wrong way many times. You might feel different but I think it's important not only for myself but society as a whole to challenge irrational emotional responses and attempt to grasp some good ol' reality.

You think you're doing a good thing by being empathetic to people who are hurting but in reality this is just a perpetuation of irrational behavior and that's the biggest problem I have here.

 

[Aaronology]

Ahh, so you just give people blank checks to be outraged. I know you probably don't feel that way, but that's your position stripped of PC culture rhetoric.

You keeps saying I don't understand. What exactly don't I understand? That white people dressing up in Indian costumes conjures up some hurtful emotions in some native people? Yeah, I get that. But the emotion response from these people is not rational and a huge interpolation of the true context. I've been hurt before, I've taken benign situations the wrong way many times. You might feel different but I think it's important not only for myself but society as a whole to challenge irrational emotional responses and attempt to grasp some good ol' reality.

You think you're doing a good thing by being empathetic to people who are hurting but in reality this is just a perpetuation of irrational behavior and that's the biggest problem I have here.

Does this position also apply to blackface, Patapwn?

 

[MHWilliams]

Ahh, so you just give people blank checks to be outraged. I know you probably don't feel that way, but that's your position stripped of PC culture rhetoric.

You keeps saying I don't understand. What exactly don't I understand? That white people dressing up in Indian costumes conjures up some hurtful emotions in some native people? Yeah, I get that. But the emotion response from these people is not rational and a huge interpolation of the true context. I've been hurt before, I've taken benign situations the wrong way many times. You might feel different but I think it's important not only for myself but society as a whole to challenge irrational emotional responses and attempt to grasp some good ol' reality.

You think you're doing a good thing by being empathetic to people who are hurting but in reality this is just a perpetuation of irrational behavior and that's the biggest problem I have here.

Once again, this is the emotional response:

Assuming that you feel there should a proportional response, perhaps you might agree that your passionate argument against irrational emotional responses seems to be a bit much in this situation?

 

[Patapwn]

Does this position also apply to blackface, Patapwn?

There's clearly a bounds of reason which is why you went to the most extreme example you could

Good point. People interpolate the hell out of any benign situations like this that involves even the tiniest kernel of racial or culture elements. That's why it went from a wild west party to the plight of native Americans against disease and genocide.

There are things that I think any rational person would qualify as offensive. A minstrel show of people in black face and faux southern ebonics is an obvious one. The intent of such an act is either to offend, mental retardation or both. Most situations that we see being discussed, including this one, don't come from a place of nuance understanding but of irrational emotion. The people dressing up like natives weren't making a statement at all and people should have the capacity to understand that and move on.

Once again, this is the emotional response:

Assuming that you feel there should a proportional response, perhaps you might agree that your passionate argument against irrational emotional responses seems to be a bit much in this situation?

I wouldn't say this issue exists in a bubble. This is the culmination of what I've seen going on over a number of years and I'm just giving my position on it as this was just way too stupid to not comment on

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

You're absolutely free to be offended for whatever reason you want to be. I have no right to tell you otherwise. All that is left for discussion is whether or how much we can accommodate that. We cannot restricts people's freedom to have their prejudice little 'Wild Wild West' parties no more than we can restrict the KKK from having their burn crossing cookouts. That doesn't mean we just ignore or tell people upset by either instance that they're not right to feel that way. They are absolutely, 100%, without a freaking doubt, warranted to feel upset. And they have every right to want to express that dissatisfaction and hold a discussion on how it can be improved.

Anybody can be upset about anything. The conversation, of course, comes when we decide, collectively, which instances of upsettedness are, or should be, actionable, in terms of individual or collective action to rectify whatever it is that created the upset in the first place. People are free to feel as they will, but the responsibility of others to respond to that feeling is a byproduct of those others' judgment of the arguments made as to why a response is warranted. I'm convinced, for example, that dressing as a racist caricature should be avoided because it is hurtful to the group being caricatured, but despite having spent a great deal of time researching the subject, I have never been convinced as to the damnable nature of cultural appropriation. Thus, arguments that a white guy wearing a headdress is hurtful because it evokes a tradition of, "Hey, look at these savage, exotic weirdos!" are compelling to me, but arguments that "Headdresses are sacred in native culture and should not be worn because it is hurtful to see them bastardized, and because it renders native culture invisible" are not particularly compelling to me, because A) I don't think respecting the religiously sacred is the responsibility of anybody but the religious people who see the thing as sacred in the first place, and B) casual misuse of something sacred or meaningful does not actually do anything to diminish or prevent religious or cultural practice, even with power dynamics in play.

 

[Lashley]

Please explain where you draw the line for something to be 'idiotic', 'stupid', or 'minor' to be offended about. You know, at a little content to your post rather than make an ignorant single sentence statement with absolutely no meat to it. It's not idiotic, minor, or stupid to be upset when you see people who know nothing about your heritage or culture using it as a costume.

Or were you just more interested in making a drive by post than actually being part of a discussion?

It's the equivalent of me being riled up if someone said all we do in Britain is drink tea and eat scones, and our teeth are crooked and black.

It's such a none issue.

Was Hemsworth ignorant in dressing like that? Yes.

But if people are genuinely angered and offended by something this minor they lead a very sheltered life.

 

[MHWilliams]

I wouldn't say this issue exists in a bubble. This is the culmination of what I've seen going on over a number of years and I'm just giving my position on it as this was just way too stupid to not comment on

Once again, you drill down to this situation in particular. Why do you feel those expressions are "way too stupid"?

 

[NoblesseOblige]

But if people are genuinely angered and offended by something this minor they lead a very sheltered life.

Explain how you came to that conclusion, that people being offended for being misrepresented by a costume are living 'sheltered lives'.

 

[Oersted]

It's the equivalent of me being riled up if someone said all we do in Britain is drink tea and eat scones, and our teeth are crooked and black.

It's such a none issue.

Was Hemsworth ignorant in dressing like that? Yes.

But if people are genuinely angered and offended by something this minor they lead a very sheltered life.

Tell native americans they are living a sheltered life. Not us. None of us is really angered and especially offended. None. Only native americans are offended. You have to fight them.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

It's the equivalent of me being riled up if someone said all we do in Britain is drink tea and eat scones, and our teeth are crooked and black.

No its not.

It's such a none issue.

Was Hemsworth ignorant in dressing like that? Yes.

But if people are genuinely angered and offended by something this minor they lead a very sheltered life.

The Natives I know have lived anything but a sheltered life. This is some fucking bullshit.

 

[80s Bad Guy]

Man, the people trying to say, "but no one cares if you dress up like [insert privileged white unoppressed race here] really are the best. Now how about trying to look at this from the other side?

 

[Order]

Man, the people trying to say, "but no one cares if you dress up like [insert privileged white unoppressed race here] really are the best. Now how about trying to look at this from the other side?

Why do that when you can just look down on everyone else

 

[E-flux]

It's a sad thing that we live in an age where the smallest things are blown out of proportions. I just... I don't know, it's going to be a sad day when kids playing cowboys and indians is going to be frowned upon.

If there is no ill intent in the guys outfit, maybe you should just you let it past you, maybe the problem isn't in the costume but in yourself.

 

[Afrocious]

It's a sad thing that we live in an age where the smallest things are blown out of proportions. I just... I don't know, it's going to be a sad day when kids playing cowboys and indians is going to be frowned upon.

If there is no ill intent in the guys outfit, maybe you should just you let it past you, maybe the problem isn't in the costume but in yourself.

It's like I'm looking into the 1950s in this post.

Get out of here with that nonsense.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

It's a sad thing that we live in an age where the smallest things are blown out of proportions. I just... I don't know, it's going to be a sad day when kids playing cowboys and indians is going to be frowned upon.

Yeah, what a sad day indeed. Spoiler though, kids stopped playing that long ago.

 

[Order]

It's a sad thing that we live in an age where the smallest things are blown out of proportions. I just... I don't know, it's going to be a sad day when kids playing cowboys and indians is going to be frowned upon.

If there is no ill intent in the guys outfit, maybe you should just you let it past you, maybe the problem isn't in the costume but in yourself.

Yeah. I miss the good ol days where we just drank some nice, cold lemonade and the colored folks stayed in their place.

 

[E-flux]

It's like I'm looking into the 1950s in this post.

Get out of here with that nonsense.

Nonsense? I seriously don't get the need to get offended by this. Yes, i know roughly how the colonization of america went but this is just weird that how people get offended by this. I'm not trying to disrespect anybody but things like these are just plain weird.

I also hear "outrage" like this from the US only so i guess this thing is a problem mostly there?

 

[LionPride]

It's a sad thing that we live in an age where the smallest things are blown out of proportions. I just... I don't know, it's going to be a sad day when kids playing cowboys and indians is going to be frowned upon.

If there is no ill intent in the guys outfit, maybe you should just you let it past you, maybe the problem isn't in the costume but in yourself.

Ah yes, that game that no child plays anymore

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I also hear "outrage" like this from the US only so i guess this thing is a problem mostly there?

Yes, a place with more minorities groups would tend to have more discussion on social issues related to race. Let me guess, you don't think racism exists in Europe because these issues don't make the news like they do here?

 

[E-flux]

Yes, a place with more minorities groups would tend to have more discussion on social issues related to race. Let me guess, you don't think racism exists in Europe because these issues don't make the news like they do here?

No, i don't think that, there's plenty of racism here. Especially against refugees which is a shame. I just don't see that dressing up in an indian get up is comparable to black face or KKK outfits, which many people seem to make a connection to.

EDIT:

Also i have no idea what children play outside nowdays but in the early 90's we ran around the nearby forests with old timey revolvers and bows.

 

[Aaronology]

There's clearly a bounds of reason which is why you went to the most extreme example you could

So, "no."

If I am misunderstanding you, Patapwn, I apologize and feel free to correct me. It seems you're saying the difference between blackface and Native cosplay is that one is designed to insult a minority and the latter is not (consequently making the offense taken from it an overreaction). However, blackface is not always intended to be offensive; It's often practiced out of complete ignorance and insensitivity. If this were a thread about someone who decided to paint their face brown for Halloween, say to dress up as their favorite rapper, would you argue a black person wouldn't have reason to feel slighted?

It seems like that is essentially what is happening here in regards to Natives.

 

[Afrocious]

No, i don't think that, there's plenty of racism here. Especially against refugees which is a shame. I just don't see that dressing up in an indian get up is comparable to black face or KKK outfits, which many people seem to make a connection to.

You're being daft.

You're literally saying racism toward one people is worse than racism toward another people instead of realizing racism itself should not be condoned.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

Man, the people trying to say, "but no one cares if you dress up like [insert privileged white unoppressed race here] really are the best. Now how about trying to look at this from the other side?

Privilege is not a trump card to make those who disagree with a position held by a minority group (or a subset of one) capitulate. It's inherently the task of a group with a grievance to make a case for why others need to respond to it.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Privilege is not a trump card to make those who disagree with a position held by a minority group (or a subset of one) capitulate. It's inherently the task of a group with a grievance to make a case for why others need to respond to it.

A lot of people in the privilege group understand the grievance, they just don't care. These things would be simpler if they could just admit that instead of going into lawyer mode.

 

[Pizoxuat]

Man, it would be a real shame for kids to play a game that doesn't involve reenacting genocide. What a terrible loss for society that would be.

 

[80s Bad Guy]

Privilege is not a trump card to make those who disagree with a position held by a minority group (or a subset of one) capitulate. It's inherently the task of a group with a grievance to make a case for why others need to respond to it.

Privilege is the shade of color to a lot of people's life lens. You're not seeing the racism because it's not even in your visual band. And it doesn't always fall on those with grievance to defend themselves against ignorance. Otherwise there would be no progress. Well, as it feels like there is none here.

 

[E-flux]

You're being daft.

You're literally saying racism toward one people is worse than racism toward another people instead of realizing racism itself should not be condoned.

Of course racism shouldn't be condoned, but if there was no ill content then i don't really see the problem, unless it would be something painfully obvious as KKK or blackface.

Honestly, i don't see this going anywhere since we have wildly different takes on what's racist and what's not.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

A lot of people in the privilege group understand the grievance, they just don't care. These things would be simpler if they could just admit that instead of going into lawyer mode.

I just tire of the way people just throw privilege around, like it's some kind of rhetorical royal flush in arguments like this, when in fact it's an intellectually disguised way of telling people to shut up. It's as lazy as the people who just come in and trumpet about how unbelievable it is that everybody is offended by everything nowadays.

Edit: 80s Bad Guy, I already said costumes like this are racist caricatures and unacceptable for that reason. My comment is a more general comment on the discourse in conversations like this, and the laziness many on the left allow themselves to indulge because they are "in the right".

 

[Afrocious]

Of course racism shouldn't be condoned, but if there was no ill content then i don't really see the problem, unless it would be something painfully obvious as KKK or blackface.

Honestly, i don't see this going anywhere since we have wildly different takes on what's racist and what's not.

Me neither because you're quite oblivious and I envy that kind of ignorance.

Different takes of what's racist? Fuck that noise. Get over yourself.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Of course racism shouldn't be condoned, but if there was no ill content then i don't really see the problem, unless it would be something painfully obvious as KKK or blackface.

Honestly, i don't see this going anywhere since we have wildly different takes on what's racist and what's not.

I don't think anyone believes there was any significant ill intent by Hemsworth in wearing the garb at the party. The focus has been more on the fact that there is a group of individuals defending their choice to misrepresent a people group despite being explained to how it affects some members of that group and can be seen as varying degrees from culturally insensitive to blatantly racist.

Basically I'll ask the same question I asked someone else before. If you wore the outfit and a Native American explained to you the meaning and how it causes some grief would your empathy kick in and you'd agree to think more thoughtfully before wanting to dress like an Indian? Or would you just scoff at it and take a "get over it, I do what I want" attitude that many other posters have exhibited?

 

[Soul_Pie]

Man, it would be a real shame for kids to play a game that doesn't involve reenacting genocide. What a terrible loss for society that would be.

You've got to give kids more credit in this situation, they have a better sense of imagination than most adults and can often do a better job of separating make believe from what's real which tends to be a problem for some fully grown humans. In any case, if wearing a silly costume brings some kind of attention to the history of the country they live in, however small then it might be a starting point for actually finding out a bit more. You could type in "indian clothes" into google and potentially come away being far more informed than you were previously. Hiding it from view is probably not the best way to build awareness, especially as some people might have not encountered someone of that culture wearing traditional clothing.

 

[Aaronology]

Of course racism shouldn't be condoned, but if there was no ill content then i don't really see the problem, unless it would be something painfully obvious as KKK or blackface.

Honestly, i don't see this going anywhere since we have wildly different takes on what's racist and what's not.

It's painfully obvious to a good deal of people in this thread and elsewhere. I agree with Afrocious; You are absolutely being daft to come into the thread and go, "well this just seems like an American problem; what's the big deal?" when we're discussing an offensive practice to Native Americans. It's perfectly understandable that a European might not initially be as aware why this is a big deal. It's been gone over time and again, though. Your ignorance of why this is an issue is not an argument for why this is not an issue.

 

[FormallyMegadrive]

Maybe you haven't heard about the Australians who flushed smallpox-infested blankets down their toilets to travel through the Earth's core and emerge on the other side to kill the natives.

Thank you for telling me this. I will start a foundation