Racism At The 'Grammys'

Submitted by Jean bedell-mashkikinabinais

Pass this on! Our Native American nations are networking in preventing this sort of thing from happening. Through education to the media, schools, organizations and the general public we can rid stereotyping (a form of racism).

Seen At The Grammys:

It was the most despicable, stereotypical show I have seen. This band doing the “Hey Ya” song dressed up like supposedly Indians and the scantily clad girls were wearing green fringe outfits with green plastic feathers. Thing about this scene is it is by another oppressed group that was doing it!
(“Outkast” Georgia-born, Black rap duo: Andre – Andre Benjamin and Big Boi – Antoine Patton who first met at Atlanta’s Tri-City High School)

Tell me, I know people on the outside of our Indian Nations and far away from our reservations is saying get over it, but do they know we have developed organizations to get rid of these stereotypes, and racism. Does this population of people know that our people are still getting murdered? We deserve more respect than this. They had even a fake tipi on stage with smoke coming from it and a Black key board player with a wapaha on (headdress). These were sacred to our people, and so are woman.

Before the house lights came on, they even played some type of Indian drum music and sounded like, I thought, were going to honor Indians or something until they showed this group performing this song in a very disrespectful, stereotypical way. I hope that Native organizations and production media groups continue in trying to rid this type of racism, and educate other groups about our traditions, culture in a more respectful way.
mashkikinabinais

Next – Racism at the Grammys – Part 2.
An open letter to Andre Benjamin from Lori Anderson-Finwall