The singer and producer has incited a slew of angry Tweets and online criticism after he was photographed wearing a Native American headdress on the cover of U.K.'sElle.
A post on the magazine's website states that the "Happy" singer "has never looked so good," but some are outraged over what they call the misappropriation of Native American culture.
Interestingly, in 2012 Williams told Oprahmagazine in South Africa that his family tree included Native American lineage.
But the Grammy winner, 41 – who's better known for wearing an enormous vintage Vivienne Westwood hat – released a statement on Wednesday in response to the controversy.
"I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture," he said, according to the New York Daily News. "I am genuinely sorry."
The singer and producer has incited a slew of angry Tweets and online criticism after he was photographed wearing a Native American headdress on the cover of U.K.'sElle.
A post on the magazine's website states that the "Happy" singer "has never looked so good," but some are outraged over what they call the misappropriation of Native American culture.
Interestingly, in 2012 Williams told Oprahmagazine in South Africa that his family tree included Native American lineage.
But the Grammy winner, 41 – who's better known for wearing an enormous vintage Vivienne Westwood hat – released a statement on Wednesday in response to the controversy.
"I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture," he said, according to the New York Daily News. "I am genuinely sorry."
HatrinaHaterwitz said: I think if Pharrell had offend the Jews, his career would probably be toast.
Exactly. In the entertainment industry these days, Jews & LGBTs are THE main two factions you do not want to piss off if you value your career as an entertainer. And it's a shame that black folks do not have that kind of power.
That's pretty bizarre since people think black are more "sensitive" to these kinds of matters but it doesn't translate into power at the upper echelon of most institutions. It's an aspect/dynamic of race that people don't think about. That's why it's impossible for blacks to be true racists in the sense that there's not many at the top who can pull strings that can ruin people's careers. The few who are on that level seldom, if ever, take a stand. Ain't no more Muhammed Ali's out there!
You got that right! Imagine if a black NBA owner said something about Jews. But, it's perfectly okay to be racist towards everyone else though? Pathetic aint it? I think there are still some folks in the industry who have a bullseye on Mel Gibson. But, one thing that was cool is Robert Downey Jr (who is Jewish) doing a pretty brave thing here a few years ago.
[Edited 6/9/14 12:50pm]
Yes, this is brave and noble of Robert Downey Jr to do this for Mel Gibson, and forgiveness is divine. However, Mel's drunken stupor has cost him his very prosperous career as far as Hollywood is concern.
Yeah I guess what'd RDJ was getting at is that they all live in a town (Hollywood) that's full of those kinds of bad things...but I see what you mean though. Plenty of people have been caught on tape doing something stupid but if Mel ONLY talked about blacks, his career would not have suffered. Whoopi Goldberg went on the record to say that she knew Mel personally and could say that he's not a racist.
So, this is kind of a paradox. Nobody is really angry at Pharrell for wearing the Native American headress, however, if Pharrell would have made fun of Jewish people, he would be toast. Does anyone have an idea of why this happens?
I don't know much about Pharrell but does anyone know if American Indian is part of his racial heritage? He looks like it very well could be. If so, I'm not sure why the magazine cover is offensive?
My favorite singer used to sport indian head-dress and garb all the time back in the 70's because it was part of her heritage. I don't recall anyone being outraged over it.
I think he just identifies as black and nothing else. The media speculates about what else he could be but not all black people look the same, so he just has unusual features.
I'm actually not so sure about that.
Like I said earlier, I've never seen him in anything more suited for him than that headdress. Perhaps he should look into his heritage.
I knew from the start that I loved you with all my heart.
Ever heard of rhetorical questions? (By the way, that was also a rhetorical question as well)
Yes, I've heard of rhetorical questions and if yours was intended as one it was poorly worded for the purpose.
Poorly worded? Do simple sentences throw you off or is this a lame attempt to attack me for calling out the fact that it's career suicide for anyone in the industry to say anything bad about Jews. For some reason, people can say hateful things about blacks and here comes the army right around the corner to declare that person as "not a racist" even if they use racial slurs. Ponder that. I'm not responding to any more of your comments. Thanks.
Yes, I've heard of rhetorical questions and if yours was intended as one it was poorly worded for the purpose.
Poorly worded? Do simple sentences throw you off or is this a lame attempt to attack me for calling out the fact that it's career suicide for anyone in the industry to say anything bad about Jews. For some reason, people can say hateful things about blacks and here comes the army right around the corner to declare that person as "not a racist" even if they use racial slurs. Ponder that. I'm not responding to any more of your comments. Thanks.
Funny. You start your post with a question and then tell me that you're not responding to my comments anymore. That's fine, but I'm still going to comment on the reply above.
Simple sentences do not throw me off, but come to think of it, it's true that your original question was a rhetorical question and I missed that aspect of it. It happened to be the worst kind of a rhetorical question because you were avoiding the responsiblity of having to make a direct statement about the subject matter. I don't automatically assume the worst of other orgers' intentions and was confused what you really tried to convey with it. To be honest, I'm now even a bit ashamed of what I actually proceeded to write earlier and don't see any value in the reply that I posted.
There's been something unusually hostile and mean-spirited about the comments you've made on this site lately that it might a good time to rethink your posting style.
Yes, this is brave and noble of Robert Downey Jr to do this for Mel Gibson, and forgiveness is divine. However, Mel's drunken stupor has cost him his very prosperous career as far as Hollywood is concern.
Yeah I guess what'd RDJ was getting at is that they all live in a town (Hollywood) that's full of those kinds of bad things...but I see what you mean though. Plenty of people have been caught on tape doing something stupid but if Mel ONLY talked about blacks, his career would not have suffered. Whoopi Goldberg went on the record to say that she knew Mel personally and could say that he's not a racist.
So, this is kind of a paradox. Nobody is really angry at Pharrell for wearing the Native American headress, however, if Pharrell would have made fun of Jewish people, he would be toast. Does anyone have an idea of why this happens?
Well, a certain amount of Native Americans are angry at Pharrell for wearing it, but I think that Tony Van Dam pretty much answered the question, and commented further on my point. Power and racism just co-exist, and it works for the Jews. Blacks and Natives don't have the amount of power that the Jews in politics and the entertainment circles have.
Yeah I guess what'd RDJ was getting at is that they all live in a town (Hollywood) that's full of those kinds of bad things...but I see what you mean though. Plenty of people have been caught on tape doing something stupid but if Mel ONLY talked about blacks, his career would not have suffered. Whoopi Goldberg went on the record to say that she knew Mel personally and could say that he's not a racist.
So, this is kind of a paradox. Nobody is really angry at Pharrell for wearing the Native American headress, however, if Pharrell would have made fun of Jewish people, he would be toast. Does anyone have an idea of why this happens?
Well, a certain amount of Native Americans are angry at Pharrell for wearing it, but I think that Tony Van Dam pretty much answered the question, and commented further on my point. Power and racism just co-exist, and it works for the Jews. Blacks and Natives don't have the amount of power that the Jews in politics and the entertainment circles have.
Yeah I agree with what you're saying. It's kind of a strange situation. Mel Gibson's career was decimated while Bieber's is still moving on...
There are garments that are worn by people of actual importance in the real world, and that is WHY artists wear them. Do you think anyone is confused when Beyonce holds a mace and wears a crown?
I am all FOR cultural appropriation. It shows appreciation. There's a difference between wearing a beautiful Native American garment and calling a Native American a redskin. I hate the assumption that everything racial is racist.
"Keep in mind that I'm an artist...and I'm sensitive about my shit."--E. Badu
Well, a certain amount of Native Americans are angry at Pharrell for wearing it, but I think that Tony Van Dam pretty much answered the question, and commented further on my point. Power and racism just co-exist, and it works for the Jews. Blacks and Natives don't have the amount of power that the Jews in politics and the entertainment circles have.
Yeah I agree with what you're saying. It's kind of a strange situation. Mel Gibson's career was decimated while Bieber's is still moving on...
That's because regardless of the amount of power blacks have, compared to the Jews, many African-Americans, Jay-Z included gave him a pass, whereas many of the Natives are now standing their ground, and the Jews ain't having it. Pretty much the writer's point in the Huffpost link.
Yeah I agree with what you're saying. It's kind of a strange situation. Mel Gibson's career was decimated while Bieber's is still moving on...
That's because regardless of the amount of power blacks have, compared to the Jews, many African-Americans, Jay-Z included gave him a pass, whereas many of the Natives are now standing their ground, and the Jews ain't having it. Pretty much the writer's point in the Huffpost link.
That's exactly what is ironc about this. Blacks are seen and heard as being the loudest, etc. However, when it comes to pull strings to affect things in a big way, that's when the game changes. There are historical reasons for that which are too long to get into on this thread but the same can be said for Native Americans and their struggles. One thing that I don't understand is that given the historical oppression that Jews have suffered throughout history, it kinda makes you wonder why some of them at the top can be so unrelenting and unforgiving if someone says anything bad about Jews. That makes no sense to me at all.
Plenty of people have Native American in their blood. There's a difference between that and actually being considered Native American
That would be for the Cherokee Nation to decide, not me. I do not recall them being offended by anything Cher has said or done.
Whether they protest some representations of their culture and not others is completely up to them.
Well, just like any other ethnic group, it would have to be decided which few individuals would speak for the masses. This can be risky. For example, many people think Sharpton and Jesse speak for the ENTIRE black community in this country. What about the fact that there are differing opinions about these matters. This is what makes covert racism so deadly because it doesn't require any sort of "representative" to speak for millions of people. Covert racism is on autopilot.
That would be for the Cherokee Nation to decide, not me. I do not recall them being offended by anything Cher has said or done.
Whether they protest some representations of their culture and not others is completely up to them.
Well, just like any other ethnic group, it would have to be decided which few individuals would speak for the masses. This can be risky. For example, many people think Sharpton and Jesse speak for the ENTIRE black community in this country. What about the fact that there are differing opinions about these matters. This is what makes covert racism so deadly because it doesn't require any sort of "representative" to speak for millions of people. Covert racism is on autopilot.
Decided by whom? Who decided that the Redskins name was offensive? There are some that don't agree but the consensus amongst Native peoples seems to be that the name is racist.
I am thinking that the reason these issues are discussed is for the purpose of awareness. Obviously no community is monolithic.
I am not going to decide on behalf of First Nations people which celebs they should or should not be offended by. If Pharrell is out and Cher is in, it's fine by me.
Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
Well, just like any other ethnic group, it would have to be decided which few individuals would speak for the masses. This can be risky. For example, many people think Sharpton and Jesse speak for the ENTIRE black community in this country. What about the fact that there are differing opinions about these matters. This is what makes covert racism so deadly because it doesn't require any sort of "representative" to speak for millions of people. Covert racism is on autopilot.
Decided by whom? Who decided that the Redskins name was offensive? There are some that don't agree but the consensus amongst Native peoples seems to be that the name is racist.
I am thinking that the reason these issues are discussed is for the purpose of awareness. Obviously no community is monolithic.
I am not going to decide on behalf of First Nations people which celebs they should or should not be offended by. If Pharrell is out and Cher is in, it's fine by me.
I think what I had in mind is how people perceive how these issues play out. You gotta admit that there are certain black leaders who have branded themselves as the "spokesperson" for 30 million black Americans. Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, Michael Eric Dyson and a handful of others can be heard making broad statements about matters of race in America.
Okay everyone, take a look at this video and tell me if it's racist. What happens when it's possible disrespect from one "minority" to another?
There is no uproar from the Mexicans about it, and it is possible that what he had on is not deemed sacred. So, who won the fight?
I think there's another video out there of Mayweather having Mariachi music in the background during his entrance. I can't find that one but it was kinda bizarre Oh, and Mayweather beat De La Hoya Oddly enough, they are now business partners together in boxing promotions
SeventeenDayze said: There is no uproar from the Mexicans about it, and it is possible that what he had on is not deemed sacred. So, who won the fight?
I think there's another video out there of Mayweather having Mariachi music in the background during his entrance. I can't find that one but it was kinda bizarre Oh, and Mayweather beat De La Hoya Oddly enough, they are now business partners together in boxing promotions
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In the entertainment industry these days, Jews & LGBTs are THE main two factions you do not want to piss off if you value your career as an entertainer. And it's a shame that black folks do not have that kind of power.
I'm actually not so sure about that.
I'm afraid of Americans. I'm afraid of the world. 
Oh, and Mayweather beat De La Hoya 
