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native fetishization and why it is not good allyship // a thread
(please do not rt if you’re not an ed account! happy ind1g3nous peoples day! the images below are meant to be an example, bc they were painted by a white person)
(please do not rt if you’re not an ed account! happy ind1g3nous peoples day! the images below are meant to be an example, bc they were painted by a white person)
1 // so you think you’re a native ally
you consume what you think is native media. you think natives are attractive— maybe you even want to marry one and have mixed native children. you think our ‘simple’ culture is beautiful.
this is not allyship.
you consume what you think is native media. you think natives are attractive— maybe you even want to marry one and have mixed native children. you think our ‘simple’ culture is beautiful.
this is not allyship.
2 // what is fetishization?
when native people and cultures are commodified to be more palatable for nonnatives, seen as “exotic” or “simple,” when praise of natives is focused on either our ntv features or our “free spirit” or “natural wisdom,” this is fetishization.
when native people and cultures are commodified to be more palatable for nonnatives, seen as “exotic” or “simple,” when praise of natives is focused on either our ntv features or our “free spirit” or “natural wisdom,” this is fetishization.
3 // in literature
all 8 books below were written by different authors. notice the use of the words “savage,” “wild,” etc., and the portrayal of native men almost nude, and always physically larger than the white counterpart.
all 8 books below were written by different authors. notice the use of the words “savage,” “wild,” etc., and the portrayal of native men almost nude, and always physically larger than the white counterpart.
4 // more book covers
5 // why this is harmful
these are horrible caricatures of indigenous masculinity based on stereotypes of ntv men as strong, stoic, brutal savages, fiercely territorial, animalistic, etc. the stereotypes date back to the days of our genocide, and were used to justify killing us.
these are horrible caricatures of indigenous masculinity based on stereotypes of ntv men as strong, stoic, brutal savages, fiercely territorial, animalistic, etc. the stereotypes date back to the days of our genocide, and were used to justify killing us.
6 // native women
take a look at the costumes below, compared to the REGALIA (not costumes!) they are meant to represent. notice the over-sexualization of native women’s very existence in their culture.
take a look at the costumes below, compared to the REGALIA (not costumes!) they are meant to represent. notice the over-sexualization of native women’s very existence in their culture.
7 // more stereotypes
native women are stereotyped as quiet, spiritual, motherly, subservient to nonnative men, stoic and dedicated to the home OR angry and cruel. the transformation of our cultures into a sexual theme encourages these stereotypes.
native women are stereotyped as quiet, spiritual, motherly, subservient to nonnative men, stoic and dedicated to the home OR angry and cruel. the transformation of our cultures into a sexual theme encourages these stereotypes.
8 // implications
the treatment of native cultures as purely historical is part of the reason many people think we’re extinct! when you treat a native “costume” like you treat a princess costume, or a pirate costume, you treat us like fantasy creatures, not people.
the treatment of native cultures as purely historical is part of the reason many people think we’re extinct! when you treat a native “costume” like you treat a princess costume, or a pirate costume, you treat us like fantasy creatures, not people.
9 // pretendians
another way we’re fetishized is the selling of our spirituality— nonnative people selling “medicine” books, making horror games about w*ndigos and sk*nwalkers (always censor—for your own good!), having spirit animals, etc. is making our culture into a fun prop.
another way we’re fetishized is the selling of our spirituality— nonnative people selling “medicine” books, making horror games about w*ndigos and sk*nwalkers (always censor—for your own good!), having spirit animals, etc. is making our culture into a fun prop.
10 // pretendians (2)
many people, suburban white women especially, claim to be “free spirits” or “old souls” when they appropriate our spirituality. it makes nativeness into a product to be bought and sold. the association of nativeness with this attitude is a stereotype.
many people, suburban white women especially, claim to be “free spirits” or “old souls” when they appropriate our spirituality. it makes nativeness into a product to be bought and sold. the association of nativeness with this attitude is a stereotype.
11 // “the noble savage”
portrayals of our people’s lifestyles as simple or humble is another stereotype. native life is just as complicated, if not more so, than nonnative life. it makes people think we’re stupid and less evolved. people legitimately think this.
portrayals of our people’s lifestyles as simple or humble is another stereotype. native life is just as complicated, if not more so, than nonnative life. it makes people think we’re stupid and less evolved. people legitimately think this.
