SeventeenDayze said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

I was surfing another website, and this issue came up, ironically. Someone commented, and I do hope that I'm articulating and paraphrasing the comment correctly, if hip-hop came from a tribe of people from Africa, and not being exploited for money, then it could be deemed sacred.

As for Johnny Depp, my personal belief on that is he's claiming Native American blood because it was convenient for him, to create a box draw sensation. I remembered Johnny Depp, since the TV show "21 Jump Street" of which there's a movie out, based on that. I followed his career, over the years, and not once has he ever claimed the heritage. That's where the controversy came out, I believe.

Yeah I think you're right. I've been a fan of his for a long time and I think the only time I've heard him talk about it was when he was on Letterman a few years ago. It might have been when he was filming the Lone Ranger but I don't remember. I think certainly after Wikipedia started becoming more popular and someone put his ancestry on his page, then I think it forced the issue. Apparently, Johnny also has black heritage as well. I think he's got a 4th great-grandmother who was black. You can look at him and tell he's not "completely" white because of his skin tone.

If hip-hop would have started in Africa and managed not to be sold for money, I'd be surprised Everything else in Africa is taken and sold!

Johnny Depp has black lineage, too? That's news to me. To be honest with you, I've always thought that he appeared straight up white to me, especially in his younger days.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Yeah I think you're right. I've been a fan of his for a long time and I think the only time I've heard him talk about it was when he was on Letterman a few years ago. It might have been when he was filming the Lone Ranger but I don't remember. I think certainly after Wikipedia started becoming more popular and someone put his ancestry on his page, then I think it forced the issue. Apparently, Johnny also has black heritage as well. I think he's got a 4th great-grandmother who was black. You can look at him and tell he's not "completely" white because of his skin tone.

If hip-hop would have started in Africa and managed not to be sold for money, I'd be surprised Everything else in Africa is taken and sold!

Johnny Depp has black lineage, too? That's news to me. To be honest with you, I've always thought that he appeared straight up white to me, especially in his younger days.

Yeah I was watching a TV special, and later saw it online, that Depp acknowledged his great great great grandmother was a black woman. There have been times where it seemed to me that he had more of an olive complexion. It may have been makeup or lighting that did that effect but there have been times where he seemed a bit "olivey" to me.

There is no circumstance in which your ethnic composition allows for, excuses or gives you permission to exploit a people or disrespect a culture.

That mentality comes from the embedded racism in American culture that suggests that one member of a non-white group is a representation of all members of said group.

It wouldn't matter if he had one drop of Native blood or if his mom was Algoquian and his dad was Siouan. Its not excusable. If anything, having Native heritage should bring even more shame in continuing to contribute to the appropriation of the culture. If anything Pharrell should be even more ashamed of himself if he is part Native.

Johnny Depp said he MIGHT have Native ancestry; that he didn't know. The press went with it and morphed it into "he's part Native" and ever since then, people believe the blurred lines.

[Edited 6/22/14 8:47am]

BlaqueKnight said:

There is no circumstance in which your ethnic composition allows for, excuses or gives you permission to exploit a people or disrespect a culture.

That mentality comes from the embedded racism in American culture that suggests that one member of a non-white group is a representation of all members of said group.

It wouldn't matter if he had one drop of Native blood or if his mom was Algoquian and his dad was Siouan. Its not excusable. If anything, having Native heritage should bring even more shame in continuing to contribute to the appropriation of the culture. If anything Pharrell should be even more ashamed of himself if he is part Native.

Johnny Depp said he MIGHT have Native ancestry; that he didn't know. The press went with it and morphed it into "he's part Native" and ever since then, people believe the blurred lines.

[Edited 6/22/14 8:47am]

I hear you but I dunno, I could have sworn that I heard Johnny Depp himself actually say that he has Native American blood. Here's an interesting article that addresses his black ancestry which appears to be several generations back. Of course, I don't think anyone walking down the street would mistake Depp for Native American or black, but does that mean that he can't "claim" that heritage?

As far as Pharrell goes, I really think it was a publicity stunt. Which is worse, the headdress or the Move that Dope song?

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/johnny-depp-related-slave-sue-freedom-article-1.1383257

[Edited 6/22/14 9:30am]

SeventeenDayze said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Johnny Depp has black lineage, too? That's news to me. To be honest with you, I've always thought that he appeared straight up white to me, especially in his younger days.

Yeah I was watching a TV special, and later saw it online, that Depp acknowledged his great great great grandmother was a black woman. There have been times where it seemed to me that he had more of an olive complexion. It may have been makeup or lighting that did that effect but there have been times where he seemed a bit "olivey" to me.

What TV special was this?

BlaqueKnight said:

There is no circumstance in which your ethnic composition allows for, excuses or gives you permission to exploit a people or disrespect a culture.

That mentality comes from the embedded racism in American culture that suggests that one member of a non-white group is a representation of all members of said group.

It wouldn't matter if he had one drop of Native blood or if his mom was Algoquian and his dad was Siouan. Its not excusable. If anything, having Native heritage should bring even more shame in continuing to contribute to the appropriation of the culture. If anything Pharrell should be even more ashamed of himself if he is part Native.

Johnny Depp said he MIGHT have Native ancestry; that he didn't know. The press went with it and morphed it into "he's part Native" and ever since then, people believe the blurred lines.

[Edited 6/22/14 8:47am]

So, would it be fair to say that if he has black blood, he should be more ashamed as well? I'm trying to follow you, here. If anything, I think the shame should be on exploitation, when it comes to both minority groups, alone.

[Edited 6/23/14 9:14am]

Beautifulstarr123 said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Yeah I was watching a TV special, and later saw it online, that Depp acknowledged his great great great grandmother was a black woman. There have been times where it seemed to me that he had more of an olive complexion. It may have been makeup or lighting that did that effect but there have been times where he seemed a bit "olivey" to me.

What TV special was this?

I think it was a special with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It ran on PBS a few years ago.

Khloé Kardashian Becomes Latest Celeb Slammed for Wearing Native American Headdress

.

Khloé Kardashian is the latest celeb to offend by wearing a Native American headdress. (Instagram)

In true Kardashian family style not even North West's first birthday party could pass without controversy — but this time, the tot's parents aren't feeling the backlash. Kim and Kanye West celebrated their daughter's milestone over the weekend with a "Kidchella"-themed bash that included a Ferris wheel, a bounce house, and a smattering of teepees. And that's where all the trouble began… for Khloé Kardashian.

[Related: Inside North West's Kidch...thday Bash]

The 29-year-old aunt posed in front of one of the teepees, sitting cross-legged and sporting a Native American headdress replete with feathers.

"Ray of clouds. Chirping of birds. Gurgling of water. Granting desire. One with water. #Kidchella my first Coachella!!!" she captioned the colorful snap.

Though Khloé looks rather peaceful (and almost meditative) in the shot, the moment she posted it on Instagram, angry comments began rolling in.

"Our culture isn't a fashion statement, I do not wish to waste my time arguing with people too ignorant to understand that. You should be ashamed @khloekardashian," commenter ncholewa11 lamented.

"Headdresses and teepees should not be used as party decorations in the first place!" Instagram user Amanda Baldwin argued. "Those of us who disagree with this photo are tired of seeing headdresses, signs of honor and respect in our history and culture, being used as a 'fashion' accessory!"

Commentor luv_latisia noted not only Khloe's headdress, but also her pose. "She is COMPLETELY disrespecting our culture by sitting there in a meditation pose... What Native American tribe is known to meditate? And since when did honoring become imitating?"

View gallery

.

Khloé with her sister Kylie Jenner and another party guest. (Instagram)

But Khloé is hardly the first famous face to get blasted for wearing Native American garb — in fact, she's in good company.

Back in 2012, No Doubt caused controversy when the band's music video for "Looking Hot" featured a cowboys-and-Indians theme. Then in 2013, Michelle Williams posed for AnOther magazine dressed as a Native American with dark, long braids, which also sparked a fair share of drama. And just a few weeks ago, Pharrell Williams incited serious backlash (and the hashtag #NOTHappy) when he traded his signature Mountie hat for a Native American headdress on the July cover of ElleU.K. (We think we see a pattern here...)

Though apologies were issued in all three of those cases, Khloé doesn't seem like she's going to follow suit. Rather than express any regrets, the reality star followed up her photo with a message for her haters: "You're still going to get criticized, so you might as well do whatever the f--k you want."

There was no immediate comment from the National Congress of American Indians, which tends to weigh in on such matters of culture appropriation, but something tells us plenty of others will continue to do the commenting for them.

https://celebrity.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/khloe-kardashian-becomes-latest-celeb-slammed-for-wearing-native-american-headdress-155456158.html

Silly, silly, silly

SeventeenDayze said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

What TV special was this?

I think it was a special with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It ran on PBS a few years ago.

Thanks

Beautifulstarr123 said:

BlaqueKnight said:

There is no circumstance in which your ethnic composition allows for, excuses or gives you permission to exploit a people or disrespect a culture.

That mentality comes from the embedded racism in American culture that suggests that one member of a non-white group is a representation of all members of said group.

It wouldn't matter if he had one drop of Native blood or if his mom was Algoquian and his dad was Siouan. Its not excusable. If anything, having Native heritage should bring even more shame in continuing to contribute to the appropriation of the culture. If anything Pharrell should be even more ashamed of himself if he is part Native.

Johnny Depp said he MIGHT have Native ancestry; that he didn't know. The press went with it and morphed it into "he's part Native" and ever since then, people believe the blurred lines.

[Edited 6/22/14 8:47am]

So, would it be fair to say that if he has black blood, he should be more ashamed as well? I'm trying to follow you, here. If anything, I think the shame should be on exploitation, when it comes to both minority groups, alone.

[Edited 6/23/14 9:14am]

I disagree. Shame should be on those who exploit. If you are contributing to the exploitation or appropriation and you have ties to the exploited, you should bear extra shame.

BlaqueKnight said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

So, would it be fair to say that if he has black blood, he should be more ashamed as well? I'm trying to follow you, here. If anything, I think the shame should be on exploitation, when it comes to both minority groups, alone.

[Edited 6/23/14 9:14am]

I disagree. Shame should be on those who exploit. If you are contributing to the exploitation or appropriation and you have ties to the exploited, you should bear extra shame.

True.

we're in a generation full of easily offended pussies. Pisses me off to no end.

Yeah, back in the good old days of polio, people could just get killed, maimed or assaulted just for being different. Perhaps we should just put tape over the mouths of people who get offended by the stupidity and superiority complex held by those who complain about the complainers....

Pr1nceQuik said:

we're in a generation full of easily offended pussies. Pisses me off to no end.

Well, if culturally insensitive RACISTS weren't so quick to offend any and everyone different from them yet take exception at every turn when it comes to their own, maybe people wouldn't get so offended.

Pr1nceQuik said:

artist76 said:

Pr1nceQuik said:

we're in a generation full of easily offended pussies. Pisses me off to no end.

I agree that the PC-ness nowadays is overboard, but in this case, I think the offenders ought to apologize (sincerely) and then let's all move on. I repeat, what if Khloe K and pharrell were wearing a papal mitre or Purple Heart as some sort of lark or fashion statement - there would be an uproar, and no one would say the offended are just whiners. Or imagine, the Jews had been decimated in history through pogroms and the holocaust, there are only a handful thousand in the world, living mostly on "reservations," and nowadays stupid celebs and others who don't bother to try to respect other humans, wear yarmulkes randomly because it's "amusing" or "looks cool." Offensive? Hell yes. I understand if one is not aware - we all make mistakes - but then let's learn from them. Khloe is wrong not to apologize, but no surprise from a Kardashian. Pharrell did the right thing. I for one will never be wearing a feathered headdress willy nilly! Because I respect people's cultures.

I hope that the Natives can see that Khloe purposely put that stunt for a little bit of attention, and though many of us as humans know what it is like to be offended, to leave her arrogance to her own devices. She knows what it feels like to get offended about her looks, so you would think she understands. Is culture and struggling with your weight the same issue? No, but no one is exempt from feeling or being offended about something.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

artist76 said:

Pr1nceQuik said: I agree that the PC-ness nowadays is overboard, but in this case, I think the offenders ought to apologize (sincerely) and then let's all move on. I repeat, what if Khloe K and pharrell were wearing a papal mitre or Purple Heart as some sort of lark or fashion statement - there would be an uproar, and no one would say the offended are just whiners. Or imagine, the Jews had been decimated in history through pogroms and the holocaust, there are only a handful thousand in the world, living mostly on "reservations," and nowadays stupid celebs and others who don't bother to try to respect other humans, wear yarmulkes randomly because it's "amusing" or "looks cool." Offensive? Hell yes. I understand if one is not aware - we all make mistakes - but then let's learn from them. Khloe is wrong not to apologize, but no surprise from a Kardashian. Pharrell did the right thing. I for one will never be wearing a feathered headdress willy nilly! Because I respect people's cultures.

I hope that the Natives can see that Khloe purposely put that stunt for a little bit of attention, and though many of us as humans know what it is like to be offended, to leave her arrogance to her own devices. She knows what it feels like to get offended about her looks, so you would think she understands. Is culture and struggling with your weight the same issue? No, but no one is exempt from feeling or being offended about something.

That's a good point. We can kind of assume that Pharrell didn't mean any harm. This was most likely for publicity. But Khloe K, forget it! She's doing it for any ounce of press coverage and it worked...

SeventeenDayze said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

I hope that the Natives can see that Khloe purposely put that stunt for a little bit of attention, and though many of us as humans know what it is like to be offended, to leave her arrogance to her own devices. She knows what it feels like to get offended about her looks, so you would think she understands. Is culture and struggling with your weight the same issue? No, but no one is exempt from feeling or being offended about something.

That's a good point. We can kind of assume that Pharrell didn't mean any harm. This was most likely for publicity. But Khloe K, forget it! She's doing it for any ounce of press coverage and it worked...

But at least through this, it gives the Natives a platform to be heard, and to be taken seriously. Lord knows we had the civil rights movement and the Black Panthers as a platform.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

SeventeenDayze said:

That's a good point. We can kind of assume that Pharrell didn't mean any harm. This was most likely for publicity. But Khloe K, forget it! She's doing it for any ounce of press coverage and it worked...

But at least through this, it gives the Natives a platform to be heard, and to be taken seriously. Lord knows we had the civil rights movement and the Black Panthers as a platform.

The struggle for freedom is older than the official Civil rights movement and Black Panther movement. So many lesser known struggles for freedom have been happening for a very long time and I think this is one thing that makes this situation with Pharrell different. He's a person of color adopting a symbol, in this case the headress, and he's on a cover of a magazine with it. But, I don't think there's any molecule in Pharrell's body that has disrespect towards Native Americans. Some of whom are descendants of slave owners themselves. From what I can tell, this whole thing was a publicity stunt because he's got an album out.

Sadly, people don't always take Native Americans seriously. I don't know if it's because of their small numbers or because of their geographic isolation, compared to other ethnic groups.

SeventeenDayze said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

But at least through this, it gives the Natives a platform to be heard, and to be taken seriously. Lord knows we had the civil rights movement and the Black Panthers as a platform.

The struggle for freedom is older than the official Civil rights movement and Black Panther movement. So many lesser known struggles for freedom have been happening for a very long time and I think this is one thing that makes this situation with Pharrell different. He's a person of color adopting a symbol, in this case the headress, and he's on a cover of a magazine with it. But, I don't think there's any molecule in Pharrell's body that has disrespect towards Native Americans. Some of whom are descendants of slave owners themselves. From what I can tell, this whole thing was a publicity stunt because he's got an album out.

Sadly, people don't always take Native Americans seriously. I don't know if it's because of their small numbers or because of their geographic isolation, compared to other ethnic groups.

I didn't say that Pharrell was being disrespectful, and yes he did apologize, and the music executives may have an agenda behind this. I'm just saying that at least it gave the Natives a platform they were searching for decades, to my understanding. Yes, many Native Americans were captured as slaves, but they were becoming almost extinct, as a result of genocide, but this is another topic.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

SeventeenDayze said:

The struggle for freedom is older than the official Civil rights movement and Black Panther movement. So many lesser known struggles for freedom have been happening for a very long time and I think this is one thing that makes this situation with Pharrell different. He's a person of color adopting a symbol, in this case the headress, and he's on a cover of a magazine with it. But, I don't think there's any molecule in Pharrell's body that has disrespect towards Native Americans. Some of whom are descendants of slave owners themselves. From what I can tell, this whole thing was a publicity stunt because he's got an album out.

Sadly, people don't always take Native Americans seriously. I don't know if it's because of their small numbers or because of their geographic isolation, compared to other ethnic groups.

I didn't say that Pharrell was being disrespectful, and yes he did apologize, and the music executives may have an agenda behind this. I'm just saying that at least it gave the Natives a platform they were searching for decades, to my understanding. Yes, many Native Americans were captured as slaves, but they were becoming almost extinct, as a result of genocide, but this is another topic.

Don't worry, I knew what you meant I just brought up the issue of disrespect again because I don't think he meant anything bad behind it. And yes, I think the music execs have a lot to do with this stunt it seems. Also, I was mentioning that Native Americans were slave owners themselves at one point in US history--just as some blacks were slave owners too. So, it's hard to say which historical situations we should base our opinions on since there was some variance along the way.

This also makes me wonder if the Redskins are going to change their name but that would be really expensive for a team to do that and to completely rebrand itself after that. We shall see...

Mainstream America doesn't like to bring up Natives because

[img:$uid]http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/21945/903829.jpg[/img:$uid]

Pharrell did that shit because Elle's fashion designers for the photo shoot told him to.

It was for publicity; to get pople talking one way or another.

Mission Accomplished, Elle.

[Edited 7/5/14 23:29pm]

BlaqueKnight said:

Mainstream America doesn't like to bring up Natives because

[img:$uid]http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/21945/903829.jpg[/img:$uid]

Pharrell did that shit because Elle's fashion designers for the photo shoot told him to.

It was for publicity; to get pople talking one way or another.

Mission Accomplished, Elle.

[Edited 7/5/14 23:29pm]

I think the best response to someone saying go back to Africa is to ask them if they're coming with you because they got you to America in the first place!

babynoz 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.

this is a great point

this country is imploding fast

has become way to sensitive because it refuses to trace the motivation of choices when it comes to the issue of race and culture...

BlaqueKnight said:

Mainstream America doesn't like to bring up Natives because

[img:$uid]http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/21945/903829.jpg[/img:$uid]

Pharrell did that shit because Elle's fashion designers for the photo shoot told him to.

It was for publicity; to get pople talking one way or another.

Mission Accomplished, Elle.

[Edited 7/5/14 23:29pm]

Yeah, what can America say period, treading on stolen land.

Scorp said:

babynoz 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.

this is a great point

Come to think of it, babynoz does have a point, what was the point.

Scorp said:

this country is imploding fast

has become way to sensitive because it refuses to trace the motivation of choices when it comes to the issue of race and culture...

Too sensitive lately? What about the past 450 years or so?

If you're not racist, why worry about the complaints of others?