[Josiah]

Governor Mary Fallin has a Daughter and well ok she decided on her own to post a picture of herself:
Gov. Fallin's Daughter Defends Headdress Photo - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |



As Governor of a State that has a rather Large population of Natives well I was actually surprise to read her so called "apology letter" did not address anything...
Ok I was not really surprised she has shown that she can care one whit about Natives we did not vote her in so....

[Josiah]

Dear Christina Fallin | Native Appropriations

[subeeds]

Is that photo a selfie? People just don't think, and apparently, her governor mama didn't think either.

[RestlessN8iv]

I love that in the letter she assumes a relationship\connection to natives....Hey Fallin, buying weed from an NDN doesn't make you an honorary native, k?

[gilisi]

"But my street is named after a tribe, and so's my car, so that means I can totally wear a sexy headdress right?"

[Spiritflight]

I think that photo of this girl looks disgusting, silly and dumb. At least that's how I view it.

[Josiah]

THIS IS WHAT CUTURALLY APPROPRIATE LOOKS LIKE:

[Chevy_truckin_NDN]

Originally Posted by Josiah

Dear Christina Fallin | Native Appropriations

Well said...made me think, that's for sure. I was offended when I seen this on facebook and did not have the words to express what I felt. But this letter...I feel better having just read it.

[MoonWoman]

"Please forgive us if we innocently adorn ourselves with your beautiful things. We do so with the utmost respect. We hold a sincere reverence for and genuine spiritual connection to Native American values."


That sentence is sickening.


I am not native.


I am white.


I am educated enough to know that the act of "innocently adorning one's self" with a sacred cultural object; a symbolic piece of a culture that has repeatedly survived attempts of genocide by (Her) people and referring to it as a "beautiful thing" is anything but respectful. She is a pig-headed, privileged, self-important little girl. The most hypocritical, ignorant statement she could make. All she's doing is further proving her own stupidity. She's disgusting. I hope that "Dear Christina" letter is posted all of the internet for everyone to see.

These people... I'm ashamed.

[Chevy_truckin_NDN]

oh and I'm still pissed about Baby Veronica and Mary Fallin's "assistance"...can we say, I'm not voting for you again? shiii.

[White Powwow Dancer]

Originally Posted by Josiah

Governor Mary Fallin has a Daughter and well ok she decided on her own to post a picture of herself:
Gov. Fallin's Daughter Defends Headdress Photo - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |



As Governor of a State that has a rather Large population of Natives well I was actually surprise to read her so called "apology letter" did not address anything...
Ok I was not really surprised she has shown that she can care one whit about Natives we did not vote her in so....

WTH they are gotta come up next white people acting like gangsters.

[RestlessN8iv]

LOL she looks like a heavily medicated person who just saw a rat.

[Josiah]

PHOTO: Oklahoma Gov. daughter responds to photo stirring up controversy online | KFOR.com

[RestlessN8iv]

I'm sorry, I had to respond to this.

RestlessN8iv: Christina Fallin: inappropriate behavior, and cultural appropriation

Folks, I don't like to complain. I really don't. I'd love to post things on this blog that make me happy and hopeful. I'd like to post about my cautious optimism towards the Sundance Network's "Red Road" or this new chicken recipe I found, or how much weight I've lost. I'd love to, but unfortunately I don't get the opportunity because people keep doing stuff like this.

Enter Christina Fallin, musician, and daughter of Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. Fallin, has received national attention over a photo she released of herself with the facial expression of someone who just realized they forgot to turn off the coffee pot before leaving the house that morning. In the photo, Fallin is wearing a feathered headdress which as you all know is the traditional dress of the North American hipster.

As it turns out, the photo was actually a publicity shot for her band "Pink Pony". 

The band and Fallin received criticism and backlash from the photo's release. They have reportedly deleted any negative comments about the photo before deleting the photo itself.

So they deleted the photo. That's good right? That means they know they f-ed up and now we can all move on, right? This is how these things usually go. Someone does something culturally offensive, then realize that they were wrong (or at the very least that their getting bad PR) apologize, and we get on with our lives.

But not Fallin and company, oh no. They released a statement alright, not an apology, not really, but more of a statement defending the picture of the mysteriously dazed looking Fallin in the headdress. That's it. Not even a half assed apology, or the usual jailhouse religion reminiscent of the Cthulu episodes of South Park.


The statement reads:

"March 6, Oklahoma City, OK — As we see the reaction we are getting on Facebook and Instagram to Christina Fallin's latest picture, it has come to our attention that our state of Oklahoma is very passionate regarding the notion of cultural appropriation. We appreciate that emotion a great deal.

Growing up in Oklahoma, we have come into contact with Native American culture institutionally our whole lives something we are eternally grateful for. With age we feel a deeper and deeper connection to the Native American culture that has surrounded us. Though it may not have been our own, this aesthetic has affected us emotionally in a very real and very meaningful way. Please forgive us if we innocently adorn ourselves in your beautiful things. We do so with the deepest respect. We hold a sincere reverence for and genuine spiritual connection to Native American values.

Lastly we feel that it would be honest if we did not admit publically that a woman in a headdress is a beautiful thing. you can keep your distance from something your whole life out of fear that you might taint it or that it might taint you, or you can embrace it and let it affect you. We choose to live our lives in the latter category."

(Sigh), okay we'll tackle this one piece at a time,

The piece reads in its second paragraph:

"Growing up in Oklahoma, we have come into contact with Native American culture institutionally our whole lives ,— something we are eternally grateful for"

Few people actually know that you can present your "Indian points" card every time you come in contact with a Native, and they'll punch the card for you. These frequent Indian contact points can add up towards different prizes. Christina is at the "headdress privilege" level on her card, which I guess means she's only a few points away from the free toaster oven, and about halfway to receiving a percap.


The statement goes on to say:
"With age, we feel a deeper and deeper connection to the Native American culture that has surrounded us. Though it may not have been our own, this aesthetic has affected us emotionally in a very real and very meaningful way."

Seriously? The aesthetic affected you "emotionally and in a very meaningful way"?

This is starting to sound like a creepy love letter from a stalker, more than a press release.

Okay, Christina. You say that living in Oklahoma, you come in contact with Native culture all the time and that you've developed a sort of admiration for Native culture as a result. I get that, but it seems to me that if you did have extensive contact with, or any sort of reverence for Native culture you'd understand exactly why the photo of you in the headdress was unacceptable. Christina, I am a Native American man and it wouldn't be okay if I wore a headdress that I didn't earn.

In other words, Christina; your claim of familiarity with Native cultures only serves to demonstrate why you should have known better. It does not excuse your actions, it further incriminates you.

I'm trying to understand how you were actually able to write this and still not realize why the photo was such a big deal. You can't just arbitrarily lay claim to whatever you think is "cool" with no credence for cultural context unless your goal is to be the cultural equivalent of the seagulls from Finding Nemo.


Back to the statement:
"Please forgive us if we innocently adorn ourselves in your beautiful things. We do so with the deepest respect. We hold a sincere reverence for and genuine spiritual connection to Native American values."

I believe my exact words when I read this were: "Ett tet tap bup waththa NO! Eww!"

"Please forgive me if I innocently adorn myself in your beautiful things" sounds like something a creepy stalker would say if he got caught stealing his victim's underwear.

Secondly, Christina you don't get to claim to claim familiarity with NDN culture and then turn around and claim that the photo was "innocent". You either are familiar with Native culture, and knew better, or you are not and did not. You can't plead "guilty" and "not guilty" at the same time and expect us to buy it.

Also I want to congratulate you on producing one of the single most passive-aggressive sounding "apologies" I've ever seen.

As for the spiritual connection you profess to have, yeah we NDNs get this one a lot. A lot of people make this claim, these people are usually clueless.

They are to Natives what stalkers are to their victims. They may believe there is a connection, they may want there to be a connection, but in the end there is no connection, there cannot be a connection because they don't even know us. Like a stalker they may think the unwanted attention is flattering or even noble, when in fact it's just creepy and unsettling.

Christina, I am going to have to request you maintain a minimum of a 500ft distance from Native culture at all times.

Furthermore, you claim to disrespect Native culture with respect? How does that work?

Which brings me to the final piece of the release:

"Lastly we feel that it would be honest if we did not admit publically that a woman in a headdress is a beautiful thing. you can keep your distance from something your whole life out of fear that you might taint it or that it might taint you, or you can embrace it and let it affect you. We choose to live our lives in the latter category."

So what you're saying is: "It's pretty, and I want it!", is that it? If that is indeed the case, allow us to reply with an equally juvenile sentiment. It's ours, and you can't have it!

What you call "distance" the rest of us call "respect" (see above). You can appreciate Native culture without making a mockery of it. You can appreciate headdresses without disrespecting them.

Appreciate, don't appropriate.

-Restless.

[Summer Morgan]

Originally Posted by Josiah

THIS IS WHAT CUTURALLY APPROPRIATE LOOKS LIKE:

Josiah Hair, the second picture that you posted is of myself and my mother Vanessa Jennings at the Kiowa Blacklegs Ceremonial.

[Summer Morgan]

HEY!! The picture of the ladies scalp dancing...that is my Momma and I. I'm wearing my elk tooth dress when it was brand spankin' new. My momma is Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings, she is a living national treasure to the U.S. thanks for posting. My brother Denny originally posted it on facebook.

[wardancer]

Originally Posted by Josiah

Governor Mary Fallin has a Daughter and well ok she decided on her own to post a picture of herself:
Gov. Fallin's Daughter Defends Headdress Photo - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |



As Governor of a State that has a rather Large population of Natives well I was actually surprise to read her so called "apology letter" did not address anything...
Ok I was not really surprised she has shown that she can care one whit about Natives we did not vote her in so....

O.K. I agree that what she has done is inappropriate. With that said though , I guess I'll "stir the pot" so to speak!How is what she has done any different than this? :
Explain how this is different. Just askin'

[wardancer]

I'm not defending her ! I'm just asking Where do we draw the line ? At Religion ? How many of you claim to be Christians ? How many have a crucifix in their car or hanging on the wall in their homes? How many celebrate Christmas? Anybody have their kids baptized ? Clothing ? Well , that cowgirl dance kinda blows that one. Plus , I ride horses "cowboy" style. I wear boots , ride in a saddle....where'd we get that from ? We , as a people , have appropriated so many things , from so many other cultures , Where do you draw the line? Language ? How many of you speak your language. I know some do , but I don't. Does that make me less Cheyenne ? For that matter , how many can speak more than 3 languages ?
I don't like it either and I certainly don't condone what she's done , or all the others that have done the same thing recently , nor do I approve of the mascot issue. But there comes a point where we , as a people , draw that line. But how can we do that ? If we jump up and down and scream and holler about someone videotaping a duck & dive , or someone records a whistle , then I guess we shouldn't bring those things out in public ! And yet they have been brought out and there is nothing we can do about it....is there? Just thinking about this makes my head hurt !
What gives us the right to their things ?

[Josiah]

Originally Posted by wardancer

I'm not defending her ! I'm just asking Where do we draw the line ? At Religion ? How many of you claim to be Christians ? How many have a crucifix in their car or hanging on the wall in their homes? How many celebrate Christmas? Anybody have their kids baptized ? Clothing ? Well , that cowgirl dance kinda blows that one. Plus , I ride horses "cowboy" style. I wear boots , ride in a saddle....where'd we get that from ? We , as a people , have appropriated so many things , from so many other cultures , Where do you draw the line? Language ? How many of you speak your language. I know some do , but I don't. Does that make me less Cheyenne ? For that matter , how many can speak more than 3 languages ?
I don't like it either and I certainly don't condone what she's done , or all the others that have done the same thing recently , nor do I approve of the mascot issue. But there comes a point where we , as a people , draw that line. But how can we do that ? If we jump up and down and scream and holler about someone videotaping a duck & dive , or someone records a whistle , then I guess we shouldn't bring those things out in public ! And yet they have been brought out and there is nothing we can do about it....is there? Just thinking about this makes my head hurt !
What gives us the right to their things ?

Ah but that is not the point I was making...

The fact that she wore a fake headdress is funny enough considering the Beadwork was probably made in China. Certainly is a common design I have seen on those from Crazy Crow that is Certainly from China. That's is Ironic enough to get the Blogs buzzing!!
But I digress:

No its the "Apology Letter"
Its after the fact that she realizes that this kind of blew up in her face
And the Knucklehead that wrote it for her as if we are Children
That is what is really a slap in the Face. It rolls back to her Mom who is Governor and not exactly a Champion of Natives in Oklahoma I would say that the Governor is downright Passive Aggressive towards Natives and certainly was not a Friend to the ILLEGAL ADOPTIONS that occur to Native Children going to the Adoption Agencies in say South Carolina but that is another fish to fry
No I call it what it is

A BIG OLE ***** SLAP TO THE FACE

Cowboy hats is not Culture

Crosses and Pope stuff is sold as Tourist Trash at the Vatican

But if those Feathers had been REAL
This would not be an Issue in Blogs and Forums, but in a Court of Law

This girl was raised in a State that has a Huge Native Population,
Just a Hour and half west down Highway 9 from Tecumseh (Fallin's Hometown)in Anadarko Oklahoma. The Kiowa Black Leggins holds there Dance every year and that picture that I posted above is from that Dance, they are doing the Scalp Dance and those women are Culturally Allowed to wear those. So if she had been around Natives as she says then she should have known that it would cause a Stir. Unless that is exactly what she was looking for and then in that case she is a bigger Putz than I originally thought...

[RestlessN8iv]

Originally Posted by wardancer

I'm not defending her ! I'm just asking Where do we draw the line ? At Religion ? How many of you claim to be Christians ? How many have a crucifix in their car or hanging on the wall in their homes? How many celebrate Christmas? Anybody have their kids baptized ? Clothing ? Well , that cowgirl dance kinda blows that one. Plus , I ride horses "cowboy" style. I wear boots , ride in a saddle....where'd we get that from ? We , as a people , have appropriated so many things , from so many other cultures , Where do you draw the line? Language ? How many of you speak your language. I know some do , but I don't. Does that make me less Cheyenne ? For that matter , how many can speak more than 3 languages ?
I don't like it either and I certainly don't condone what she's done , or all the others that have done the same thing recently , nor do I approve of the mascot issue. But there comes a point where we , as a people , draw that line. But how can we do that ? If we jump up and down and scream and holler about someone videotaping a duck & dive , or someone records a whistle , then I guess we shouldn't bring those things out in public ! And yet they have been brought out and there is nothing we can do about it....is there? Just thinking about this makes my head hurt !
What gives us the right to their things ?

Well the whole being forced at gunpoint to assimilate was a hint that they were kinda okay with it.