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ENLARGE

Pharrell Williams on the cover of Elle U.K.

http://www.people.com/article/pharrell-williams-native-american-headdress-statement

This is so silly.Nowadays,every little thing becomes a big "controversy" and a group of people become offended Pharrell wore a Indian headdress on a magazine cover...wow!! Is this really worth making a big deal over?!

SoulAlive, the issue is that he's appropriating an aspect of a culture for fashion. Basically reducing it to an accessory. It is an issue because ignoring it is the same as condoning it.

getfunked said:

SoulAlive, the issue is that he's appropriating an aspect of a culture for fashion. Basically reducing it to an accessory. It is an issue because ignoring it is the same as condoning it.

It was for a magazine photo shoot.He wasn't trying to offend anyone,or pretend that he's Indian.People are too uptight these days...always complaining about something

None of what you said discounts that it's still appropriation for fashion. And it's not just 'being uptight and complaining', it's about people who are asking for respect for their culture, for it not to be treated as a gag. Maybe you should look into the whole issue going on with the Washington Redskins football team at the moment.

on Halloween,people wear costumes...is that offensive too?

Yes, if the outfit is appropriating an aspect of a culture then it is offensive. Have a read: http://www.cbc.ca/news/ab...-1.2667315

He has a new album out and is more or less touring.....ever consider that this is a publicity stunt?

There's an Native American writer from the HuffPost who has given a more detailed breakdown as to why is this offensive that Pharrell is doing to some Natives. Here's the link. I think it is interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gyasi-/pharell-williams-headdresses_b_5449926.html?utm_hp_ref=black-voices&ir=Black+Voices

getfunked said:

None of what you said discounts that it's still appropriation for fashion. And it's not just 'being uptight and complaining', it's about people who are asking for respect for their culture, for it not to be treated as a gag. Maybe you should look into the whole issue going on with the Washington Redskins football team at the moment.

The owner refused to change the name, but I digress.

SoulAlive said:

on Halloween,people wear costumes...is that offensive too?

You must forgot that CBS had issued an apology to Native Americans a few years ago for this performance on The Grammys after complaints and a threat to boycott the network, which was not long after Janet Jackson's Superbowl controversy. The Superbowl was also on CBS.

[Edited 6/7/14 14:34pm]

This is bullcrap. Report websites are so itching for a field day whenever a magazine cover comes out.

I understand the issue at hand that Native American's are taking with this. I really do. However, I don't see that Pharrell was trying to disrepect their heritage and culture based on what I see from that picture. Mind you, I haven't seen the rest of the article nor photo shoot...as of yet.

With that being said...I've seen Pharrell Williams in a whole lot of different headdress and I've never seen him wearing anything that ever suited him so well. It is my hope and wish that this "controversy" can become a teaching and learning moment that educates us all on the heritage and culture of Native Americans that's been sorely lacking in our public discourse, for far too long.

[Edited 6/7/14 16:26pm]

Gawd.The U.S. and all that hyped up political correctness.That "Native American Headdress" has been part of children costumes since like, what..70 years or longer ?!

And suddenly it's supposed to be inappropriate ?

Because he is no native american ? But if he had just a little tiny drop of native blood in him then it suddenly would be ok ? How big or small has that drop to be then in order for him to get approval to wear that headdress ?

People need to learn to get over "race" as a concept.They should also get over the idea that a certain "culture" exclusively belongs to a certain "race".

Really, it's 2014.C'mon.

.

[Edited 6/7/14 17:04pm]

Shawy89 said:

This is bullcrap. Report websites are so itching for a field day whenever a magazine cover comes out.

Doesn't discount the issue one bit.

beatz01 said:

Gawd.The U.S. and all that hyped up political correctness.That "Native American Headdress" has been part of children costumes since like, what..70 years or longer ?!

And suddenly it's supposed to be inappropriate ?

Because he is no native american ? But if he had just a little tiny drop of native blood in him then it suddenly would be ok ? How big or small has that drop to be then in order for him to get approval to wear that headdress ?

People need to learn to get over "race" as a concept.They should also get over the idea that a certain "culture" exclusively belongs to a certain "race".

Really, it's 2014.C'mon.

.

[Edited 6/7/14 17:04pm]

Not sure what you're trying to "say" by writing "words" like "this". Maybe you should educate yourself on the Native American culture before making such ignorant remarks. It doesn't matter wether he has Native American heritage or not because the war bonnet is meant to be worn only during ceremony. You have google at your disposal. Really, it's 2014. C'mon.

getfunked said:

Shawy89 said:

This is bullcrap. Report websites are so itching for a field day whenever a magazine cover comes out.

Doesn't discount the issue one bit.

beatz01 said:

Gawd.The U.S. and all that hyped up political correctness.That "Native American Headdress" has been part of children costumes since like, what..70 years or longer ?!

And suddenly it's supposed to be inappropriate ?

Because he is no native american ? But if he had just a little tiny drop of native blood in him then it suddenly would be ok ? How big or small has that drop to be then in order for him to get approval to wear that headdress ?

People need to learn to get over "race" as a concept.They should also get over the idea that a certain "culture" exclusively belongs to a certain "race".

Really, it's 2014.C'mon.

.

[Edited 6/7/14 17:04pm]

Not sure what you're trying to "say" by writing "words" like "this". Maybe you should educate yourself on the Native American culture before making such ignorant remarks. It doesn't matter wether he has Native American heritage or not because the war bonnet is meant to be worn only during ceremony. You have google at your disposal. Really, it's 2014. C'mon.

This kinda of reminds me of Johnny Depp making headlines when The Long Ranger movie was released and Johnny Depp was letting anyone and everyone know that he has Native American heritage....

Fingers crossed he's joining The Village People

getfunked said:

Elle Cover = stupid, shallow, vapid and pointless. Doesn't anybody have a little imagination and creativity anymore?

When I saw the cover my first thought was "is there a point"? If not then why do it?

I thought maybe it was a story about him having an obsession with headgear or something....then at least it would have made sense.

I don't know... maybe it's just me and I don't see what the problem is. We've all have gotten so PC nowadays and I don't get it. Everything is a controversy and I say it time and time again: We get pissed about the wrong things! Everyone wants to forgive Justin Bieber for saying the N-word but Paula Deen's career was ruined. It's like people pick and choose what to be upset over. The man wore an Indian head piece. What was so controversial about that? And hell, Felipe Rose has made an entire career dressed as an Indian and no one ever called him out for that! Granted, he says he's Indian but Pharrell could've said the same thing. Goodness.

scorp84 said:

People have to pick their battles wisely. This is Not one of them...

Agree 100% he is not the first artist to rock the head gear and wont be the last... Jay Kay from Jamiroquai is always wearing them and not a peep from Native Americans. Goes to get my head gear and dare someone to say something about it to me.

[Edited 6/8/14 16:45pm]

getxxxx said:

scorp84 said:

People have to pick their battles wisely. This is Not one of them...

Agree 100% he is not the first artist to rock the head gear and wont be the last... Jay Kay from Jamiroquai is always wearing them and not a peep from Native Americans. Goes to get my head gear and dare someone to say something about it to me.

[Edited 6/8/14 16:45pm]

scorp84 said:

People have to pick their battles wisely. This is Not one of them... I can't lie. When I saw Miley Cyrus gyrating in that Jordan jersey, I (along with my childhood self) was quite offended. That's just plain wrong.

That was heap big funny...

I don't find it particularly offensive, just silly. I can't figure out why somebody thought it was a good idea.

Native Americans Upset With OutKast

Today

Beautifulstarr123 said:

There's an Native American writer from the HuffPost who has given a more detailed breakdown as to why is this offensive that Pharrell is doing to some Natives. Here's the link. I think it is interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gyasi-/pharell-williams-headdresses_b_5449926.html?utm_hp_ref=black-voices&ir=Black+Voices

.

Since it's looking like nobody on here is actually going to go to that link, I'll quote one of the most important parts:

.

"Native people utilize headdresses as one of our highest honors, reserved for those select few people who did something so valorous and special -- oftentimes in battle, fighting off genocide -- that we must identify them by putting pieces of the soaring eagle on their head.

.

It is reserved for those special individuals. Exclusively.

.

It's not simply a matter of being "Native" either. It's not that simple. MOST Natives will never earn the right to wear a headdress."


The fact that it appears nobody else on this thread is aware of this is an example of exactly WHY it's problematic to cheapen the headdress in the way pop culture has. And no, it's not appropriate to wear it as a Halloween costume, either. The problem isn't PC culture, as some here with no knowledge of American Indian culture are claiming. The "problem" is that in the Internet era, there's no excuse for not educating yourselves when these issues come up. The other problem is that people are now apparently too lazy to offer basic respect to other human beings; that's usually the real issue when people complain about everything being PC -- it's just that those individuals find it too inconvenient to offer basic respect to other human beings. Because that's what this is about. Basic respect. If you were raised to be respectful, to not be rude, well, this is simply an extension of that.

[Edited 6/8/14 20:05pm]

babynoz said:

scorp84 said:

People have to pick their battles wisely. This is Not one of them... I can't lie. When I saw Miley Cyrus gyrating in that Jordan jersey, I (along with my childhood self) was quite offended. That's just plain wrong.

That was heap big funny...

I don't find it particularly offensive, just silly. I can't figure out why somebody thought it was a good idea.

The look on Will Smith and family's face was priceless

I think sometimes when someone portray something that they're not, they become the butt of the joke, as long as they're not mocking some tramatic event, such as genocide or slavery. However, I guess that most of the Natives decided that enough is enough of mocking something that is sacred to their culture, because to wear a headdress, it means the highest honor, something not every Native American can wear.

Arbwyth said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

There's an Native American writer from the HuffPost who has given a more detailed breakdown as to why is this offensive that Pharrell is doing to some Natives. Here's the link. I think it is interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gyasi-/pharell-williams-headdresses_b_5449926.html?utm_hp_ref=black-voices&ir=Black+Voices

.

Since it's looking like nobody on here is actually going to go to that link, I'll quote one of the most important parts:

.

"Native people utilize headdresses as one of our highest honors, reserved for those select few people who did something so valorous and special -- oftentimes in battle, fighting off genocide -- that we must identify them by putting pieces of the soaring eagle on their head.

.

It is reserved for those special individuals. Exclusively.

.

It's not simply a matter of being "Native" either. It's not that simple. MOST Natives will never earn the right to wear a headdress."


The fact that it appears nobody else on this thread is aware of this is an example of exactly WHY it's problematic to cheapen the headdress in the way pop culture has. And no, it's not appropriate to wear it as a Halloween costume, either. The problem isn't PC culture, as some here with no knowledge of American Indian culture are claiming. The "problem" is that in the Internet era, there's no excuse for not educating yourselves when these issues come up. The other problem is that people are now apparently too lazy to offer basic respect to other human beings; that's usually the real issue when people complain about everything being PC -- it's just that those individuals find it too inconvenient to offer basic respect to other human beings. Because that's what this is about. Basic respect. If you were raised to be respectful, to not be rude, well, this is simply an extension of that.

[Edited 6/8/14 20:05pm]

They say ignorance is bliss, but you're right: there's is no legitimate excuse to be ignorant, if I'm making sense here.