I'm a snarky cynic from Los Angeles. I'm obsessed with cartoons, comics, video games, books, and the '80s.

I just got home from Totem.

The hoop dancers.

I can’t.

Function.

After all that.

Awesome.

selchieproductions:

Peru defies UN breakthrough on uncontacted tribes
© Survival International

Peru’s government is ignoring new UN guidelines on the protection of uncontacted Indians in the Amazon.

Instead of backing the UN’s landmark report, which supports the tribes’ right to be left alone, Peru is allowing the country’s largest gas project to expand further into indigenous territories known to house numerous uncontacted Indians.

The new UN guidance makes clear that uncontacted tribes’ land should be untouchable, and that ‘no rights should be granted that involve the use of natural resources’.

The expansion plan adds to existing controversies around Argentine gas giant Pluspetrol and its notorious Camisea project in southeast Peru.

Past oil and gas exploration in Peru has resulted in violent and disastrous contact with isolated Indians.

In the early 1980s, Shell workers opened up paths into the uncontacted Nahua Indians’ land. Diseases soon wiped out half the tribe.

One surviving Nahua who lives close to Camisea’s developments said, ‘The company should not be here. All the time we hear helicopters. Our animals have left, there are no fish. For this, I don’t want the company. No! No company.’

Despite an electoral campaign that promised to respect indigenous rights, Peru’s President Ollanta Humala has done little to guarantee the survival of indigenous peoples.

The Camisea consortium includes US-based Hunt Oil and Spain’s Repsol. Both have been accused of violating tribal peoples’ rights.

Survival’s Director Stephen Corry said today, ‘The UN’s breakthrough report at last recognises the rights of uncontacted Indians. Peru needs to read it and respect those who wish to be left alone before entire tribes are lost forever.’

knightoftaurus said:

-Googles-

What the fuck am I looking at?

amandamped:

I have never been considered a hipster and if you knew me in person I’m sure you’d all agree.

I have a purely innocent obsession with Native American life, culture, and style; to the point at which I believe I was a Native in my past life. I love everything about their ways of life now and in the past, everything they stand for, and the respect they have for the world.

I had just recently come across a few memes you depicting all the hate and anger the Native population has towards the pictures of obviously white/european people in headdresses and face paint, for being racist towards the Native American culture. As ignorant as it sounds I was shocked these photos could be taken as an insult… Here I am re-blogging them thinking they’re all so creative and beautiful and supporting a culture i love, not knowing that these very pictures had been taken offensively. 

The point of this post is just for me to apologize for taking part/ encouraging (in a way) the ‘hipsters’ to continue they’re racism I will do my best to avoid re-blogging pictures of this nature, although I cannot make promises it won’t happen.

I believe the best way anyone of any culture could look at these pictures is to just take it all in as a compliment; They obviously like the way the Native culture is and are trying to be a part of it, unaware of how their actions can be interpreted. 

That’s my take on the whole thing— Sorry for the rant.

Usually, I get a bit cruel when it comes to posts like this but I will try my best to be nice as I explain this to you.

A “purely innocent obsession”. You mean interest? Please tell me you mean interest in cultures. That’s wonderful that you love Native American cultures, it’s great! However, you should be weary of posts on the internet about Native cultures because most of them are, for a lack of better description, white lies.

Take the “Cherokee” Two Wolves fable as an example. Pure Hollywood. It’s not Cherokee, it’s Californian. It had no connection to the actual Cherokee people other than the fact some Hollywood writer decided to slap their name on his writing for the sake of selling it to people who don’t know any better (and who don’t care to question).

Let’s clear something up before I go on: there is no such thing as Native American culture. There is such a thing as Native American cultures. There are hundreds upon hundreds of tribes, confederacies, bands, nations, etc. Saying the singular “culture” is just rather rude, it’s lumping people together and saying they’re all the same. That’s not respectful, no one-not white, not Native-appreciates that. So from now on I would ask that you understand that.

Now let’s move on to why acts such as wearing a headdress and things like the Two Wolves legend are racist.

If the groups who have the headdress as a part of their culture said “we do not mind you wearing this, it’s perfectly okay by us” then guess what? It would not be racist. That would be sharing, cultural sharing. However, they have not said anything of the sort. They have repeatedly said that it is not appreciated and that they do not wish for it to be worn by people who have not earned it or have the permission (i.e. hipsters).

Think of it in this way: say you write a book. You worked hard to write it, to edit it, and took the time to work with numerous publishers to get a deal. And then, one day you find that people are taking your idea, the very thing you worked so hard for, and are bastardizing it. Companies are taking it and making money off of it and you are not getting compensation or credit.

That’s what it’s like. That’s your story, you have every right to say what is done with it. And it’s the same way with Natives. They have every right to say what is done with their cultures.

Now why are false legends bad? For one, it’s not actually from that culture so it’s a lie. Two, it destroys the actual traditions and tales from the cultures you say you love so much. And thirdly, it’s pushing stereotypes (which no one appreciates) about mysticism.

Yes, it’s a story with a good moral so why not call it by what it really is? An allegory. Not a Cherokee legend but a moral story using wolves as a symbol.

When you stick Cherokee on there or Native American one something that isn’t even related to them, then you’re false advertising. Do you like it when you go to the store, buy a something expensive like a Gucci purse only to find that it’s a knock off?

How do you feel being cheated? How do you think Gucci feels about being cheated?

Now put that into terms of someone’s heritage. Something so personal, something so sacred, something so important.

That’s why it’s racist.

That’s why it is not a compliment.

You are taking away their rights to say what is done with their cultures. It’s like someone taking away your rights to say what is done with your body, your ideas, your life.

Reblogging those pictures and continuing to do so, even after you’ve learned how people feel, is also invalidating them. It’s saying “I’m more important than you even though this is yours”.

That’s like the government taking away your right to contraceptives, your right to marry the person you want, to live where you want, to do what makes you happy.

So there. That’s why it’s wrong.

It’s as simple as “treat others the way you want to be treated”.

You expect people to respect your rights.

And Natives are expecting that too.

humorandshit:

OMG stop reading too much into shit. I just gave random examples. I never said all black were criminals. Or that the majority of all criminals are black?? I’m not pro stereotypes, nothing you say makes any sense. I really don’t see how anyone can be as stupid as you are being right now. Jesus Christ, I feel bad for anyone else who has to deal with your stupidity…

IF THERES ANYTHING ELSE, ANYTHING ELSE AT ALL YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND WITH, SAY ABOUT ME OR TO ME, PLEASE JUST MESSAGE ME ON ONE OF MY BLOGS. Not that difficult to do. You’re taking up space on my blog. 

And you’re just taking up space.

I’m not “reading too much into it”, you’re a shitty person who buys into racism. And yes you are, you wouldn’t be using stereotypes to prove you’re not racist (I spy with my little eye “irony”).

And I’m being stupid, yes. Because I believe black people are people and that those stereotypes are all a bunch of bullshit made up by people like you to maintain status quo in a racist society. Than, good. Because it seems like my brand of stupidity doesn’t dehumanize people.

Now your brand. That’s a whole ‘nother story.

And no, I will not message you on your blog. You either stop reblogging from me or you don’t because I will always respond.

Now as I said, go back to jerking off to Santorum’s n-word slip or continue talking with me.

The choice is yours.

humorandshit:

You think it’s sick that I use a word that has a large meaning in the native history is sick? Wow, you’re an idiot.. 

first, no its not. 

second, you’re a hypocrite if you think saying black piece of shit is racist and white piece of shit isn’t, thats just BULLSHIT. 

third. if its good enough for a full blooded native to sell at pow wow’s its good enough for a blog. 

fourth: it’s not stereotypical….not in anyway. it doesnt even portray a stereotype lol

fifth, read up on the connection of animals to natives, you clearly are under informed since you don’t understand

sixth, stereotypes are right with many things though… so i wasnt wrong to post it. 

seventh, stereotypes are racism? Uhm no. there are more than negative stereotypes, there are neutral one that dont mean much and their are good ones. So if youre saying if someone believes another races good stereotypes is being racist youve got something fucked up going on in ur brain.

eighth. I don’t need to say that at all, they’re from MULTIPLE tribes, if they care enough they should look t up for themselves, i dont have the time to look up every individual detail for each and everything i post. I have more important shit to do 

ninth. its joking about the racism, its just a joke to show were not going to get pissed over something so stupid. its a joke, laugh or shut up. 

tenth, I seriously doubt you’d still not try to fight, I dont care what their opinions are, because usually , theyre biased towards one thing or another and can only see their side , those opinions dont matter to me. and again, its not racist at all. Explain how that puts down the native race and make SENSE! oh right you can’t 

still, try again. theres plenty of posts to choose from outta the thousand or so ive posted. You should be able to find more if you think im such a horrible person right? 

You don’t comment on the pictures I have of natives today in dancing clothes? I’m surprised you don’t say something stupid like “that just shows you think every native dresses up and dances all the time, you’re racist!” because that seems like something stupid you’d definitely say. & yes there are, difference is they don’t have to post about it and rant on and on like everyone else likes to, and theyre afraid that by siding with me on anything, it would make everyone hate them, which probably would happen considering how opinionated everyone is on the tag and over the top they are. 

And again, you’ve shown no real evidence of how im racist, nothing that would hold infront of any legalities. Nor how I am ableist or anything else you’ve said i am? hahaha , thats cute though.

and cool you found that, good way for me to tell you how nothing of it makes sense or happened. I’ve never went to a natives blog and said they dont have a right to tag native american or a right to claim their blood. Try again* I don’t have native stereotypes , clearly …. try again* Also, I’ve NEVER said its okay to wear a headdress or war paint for ANY reason. so TRY AGAIN*

And if we’ve argued before and I didn’t respond, then I didn’t see your post. if you really want me to respond to everything you post, feel free to inbox me about it, if you’re THAT desperate to get a rise outta me. 

The fact that I think using “slaughter” as a password for a Native “heritage” blog is sick. Yeah, sorry. It just not in good taste. If that’s what makes me an idiot, I’d hate to think of what that makes you. But um, large? I don’t think that’s the right word. Native history is much larger than the period that white people have been here.

First: Yes it is. You can try to prove that its not but the fact that it says “Native American proverb” proves me right. 

Second: No, I’m not. It’s just terminology. It’s bad regardless but there is a difference. Prejudice. It’s all prejudice. Being racist has the implication that YOU ARE WHITE and HAVE WHITE PRIVILEGE. Prejudice is if you’re not white or like say, white to white (I would guess). So, go learn your terminology, and then come back and we’ll try this again.

Third: Still racist also blood quantum doesn’t say “how Native you are”. Only bigots think that way so…there goes more points for you.

Fourth: Yes it does but you can continue to live in denial, you have been anyways.

Fifth: Yeah, all the stuff is rather, how can I say, written by white people or catering to white ideals on who Natives are. So, continue in your denial, we’ll see where that gets you.

Sixth: Stereotypes are never right, that’s why they’re stereotypes. There goes what’s left of your credibility.

Seventh: Uhm, yes they are. They’re the building blocks. Now, once again, go educate yourself because you obviously have no idea what racism is. So go try again or continue with your denial.

Eighth: No, no, you’re the one who claims to be the O Wise One here. So, either explain your shit or GTFO.

Ninth: It’s not joking about racism. I’m sorry. It’s not. You just pulled that excuse out of your ass and you’re hoping it’ll stick.

Tenth: I did explain, you just can’t read very well me thinks.

No, because that’s actual Native cultures. Those aren’t racist. They’re not portrayed with white ideals and they’re not homogenizing. C’mon, darlin’, you should obviously know why I didn’t pick those out. 

I have shown no real evidence? Dude, if this was a courtroom you’d be charged all accounts guilty. I’m sorry but I have, you just really, really love denial. I know you’re butt is hurting a lot, but let’s face it, I have proven that you’re racist. Many before me have proved your racist. There is no point to you continuing to try to prove that you;re not because, sweetheart, we’ve all proven that you’re racist. And not only that but sexist and misogynist. 

Yes, you get points for calling out hipsters on their appropriation and good on you for doing that. But the rest of the shit that you spew is countering that. I’m sorry that you can’t see that and that your selective about what kinds of oppression you fight.

And actually dear, I don’t think you’re that bad. I think you’re ignorant but redeemable. I don’t think you’re such a horrible little tyke but as of right now, you’re ignorant. Not horrible, sorry if I came off that way, but you are ignorant. Not lacking intelligence, that’s not ignorance but your refuse to acknowledge any way but your own hence your denial and selectiveness. 

I’m not, you’re the one who responded two months late the post that started this…uh…discussion. Fucks I would not give if you disappeared (okay, maybe I’d be a little sad because people make the most hilarious memes using you) and you’re the one who continues this fight even though I have proved over and over, and you have proved over and over, to everyone who has and will read this, that you are racist. My job is complete, it was finished as soon as I posted those examples. You are just making it worse for yourself.

We all know you’re wrong.

You’re the only who has their head in the clouds.

So I’ve proved you’re racist. You’ve shown that you’re not going to change.

El Fin.

humorandshit:

If you do not understand the connection between that word and native americans, you are not the right person to be commenting on anything native. 

First link: Not all sayings can be traced back in time to a specific person, tribe, or anything. Either way, that’s far from anything racist… Nothing puts down another race or makes it seem that another race is either inferior nor better than another. Try again.

Second link: So now it’s racist to say that but not racist when people say ‘white piece of shit!”? Hmm, hypocritical much? Also, I didnt say he was a piece of shit FOR being black, I just stated his color. Try again.

Third link: If you go to most any pow wow you will see things just like this on shirts sold by the natives there. So if you really see anything wrong with this picture, anything rational at least, talk to them about it.

Fourth link: Again, try to explain what is wrong with this picture. Try again.

Fifth link: Again, EXPLAIN what is wrong with this picture, and have some actual facts, not just what you think, to back it up. Try again.

Sixth link: Might be slightly stereotypical, but you gotta remember, stereotypes come from seeing the same thing happen over and over, clearly natives have braids and theyve worn clothes similar to what she’s wearing. There’s nothing really wrong with this picture either. Try again.

seventh: Yes I know Peter Pan is stereotypical, however it doesn’t put down another race, therefore NOT racist. You need to learn the real definition of racist. However that being said, I made a post about all the stupid movies LIKE peter pan and pocahontas theyve made, ifyou find anything like this, its connected to that post. 

eighth: They’re native american symbols, I asked about these symbols and they are all from multiple tribes in america, There are multiple symbols that are NOT on here, but they don’t all need to be on one post

ninth: Look at the post related to that post as well….You clearly went through my blog I thought you would have seen it. Regardless of the post, this picture was still funny in my own opinion because my step father used to say that was his ‘indian name’ when joking around.

tenth:hahahahahahahaha I’m pretty sure if you were being attacked by a bear , for any reason, and the only think you had was a STICK you’d use it . 

TRY AGAIN TRY AGAIN TRY AGAIN. 

BTW , I love how you clearly didn’t want to speak up about any of the things that you didn’t think were racist or any of the other stuff…nice to know you only care about the bad (;

But seriously, keep trying, nothing you’ve said has any value.

The connection between Native Americans and slaughter. Yeah I can name a few, and none are appropriate to be used casually. Like for a password. Kind of sick.

First Link: Learn what racism is. Racism is not just hatred, it’s invalidation. This is invalidating facts, therefore it’s racist.

Second Link: Hey dummy, you said you didn’t have any racism. And that’s racist. And no, saying “white piece of shit” isn’t racist. It’s prejudice. Racism implies that it’s white privilege plus prejudice. So learn your shit before you speak.

Third Link: But you have it on your blog and claim to be so knowledgable. You reblogged so you have got to take responsibility for being ignorant enough to put it there.

Fourth Link: “Magical spirit wolf brother” type of shit. That is some twinkie-hipster bull crap. It’s stereotypical. Really stereotypical. You should know that, darlin’.

Fifth Link: So actual facts? How about: the magical relationship between Natives and wolves is all in the white imagination. Natives are people, wolves are animals. Their relationship is the same as any people who have lived with a lot of wolves in the area (i.e. Romania). So, once again, stereotypical and bullshit mysticism. 

Sixth Link: Nope, you said it yourself, it’s stereotypical. Done. Right there. Done.

Seventh Link: The post was just the gif so…and also, it did put down an entire race. Stereotypes are racism, sweetheart. The whole section of the movie with Natives were degrading, they were portrayed with insanely redskin, they were portrayed speaking broken English, they were portrayed as sexist, the song they sang degraded their culture and intelligence and made them less than human. Racist.

Eighth Link: Uh yeah they do or you need to point out yourself which aren’t and you need to say what tribe they’re from. Once you start posting false information, your reliability is called into question immediately.

Ninth: It’s bad, whether your family used it to joke around or not. It doesn’t excuse its wrongness. When Natives sell fake items that doesn’t make it okay. And if you think it’s funny, fine. But that once again that calls your reliability on social issues questionable.

Tenth: No, I’d be dead. You can’t fight with a stick, you won’t even have time. That picture is just dumb, my friend. Go ask other Natives their opinion on it and it will most likely vary from “that’s some racist shit” to “well that’s just dumb”. It’s a dumb, it’s racist, it’s not something you should call “Native”. It’s “white interpretation and dehumanizing art”.

So no, you try again. You go back through your archive and think really hard about what kind of shit you’re putting on there, what kind of things you think are acceptable because it needs to be edited. No one takes your information seriously, no one takes you seriously. Why? Because of these types of posts and the fact that you’re defending them. There is not one person in the Native community who has said that you are correct, there is not one who has said that what is say has any worth and those are the Natives who are educated, both through personal experience and schooling, on these issues.

Not to mention you are racist, albeist, and a misogynist. Here’s someone’s description of you that I found on a reblog of one of my posts:

littlegoldenapple:

Seriously, guys, I don’t know if she’s a troll or not, but I’ve seen her go to Native American people’s personal blogs and tell them that they have no right to do things like use the Native American tag or mention being Native American because they don’t fit her racist stereotypical idea of what a Native American should be. She’s also told people that it’s totally ok to wear warbonnets and facepaint no matter how incorrectly they’re being used and no matter who’s wearing it. And yes, she’s fond of the n-word and calling people sluts.

The nicest thing I can say about her is that she’s a pain in the ass.

If you don’t see why people don’t listen to you, if you don’t understand what you’re saying is wrong, if you don’t get why your “opinion” just happens to be incorrect, if you don’t get why your views are ignorant, well there isn’t much more I can do for you other than hope that something really big and heavy crashes on your head and gives you a wake up call to reality.

Mostly for your sake because life is going to be very difficult for someone like you.

However, last time I sent you a bunch of links likes this (because we’ve argued before if you’ve forgotten) you didn’t respond. So you get one respect point from me for actually having the cajones to respond this time.

Till next time, sunshine. 

humorandshit reblogged your post: slaughter.

Password. Go look, find something or shut up. Don’t respond or say anything back unless you found somethin

“Slaughter” is your pass for a Native American blog…

Well, I never doubted that your tastes are questionable.

Homogenizing “Native American Proverb”. Doesn’t specify tribe, nation, person who said it. Nothing. Which is in fact, racist.

“Who the fuck is this black piece of shit”….you don’t think that’s racist.

This. This is like “Romance Novel” bad. How many stereotypes can you fit into one little gif.

Really?

Bad.

Nice art but kinda iffy and stereotypical.

Peter Pan is racist.

Homogenizing.

Just as fucked up as NavaHoe.

No one fights a fucking bear with a fucking stick.

Do you want anymore?

humorandshit said:

Um, yeah it does. Are you blind? You run the damn thing. I would go on to your archive and show you exactly what’s racist, but like the little coward you are, you put a password on it.

So I can’t show you and everyone else who is so interested in seeing what a racist prick you are.

But they can ask just about every Native on Tumblr who has had the misfortune of meeting you and they’ll know what kind of a shitbag you are.

highwaysunset:

This is one of my forever favorite books.  

I first read this book in high school, and then I found it in half price books a few years ago. I had meant to reread it but didn’t until this past summer.  This book is so painfully true, in so many ways.  For anyone that does read it, you’ll understand this:  Listening to Jimi’s Star-spangled Banner & feeling like the only Indian in the rain

I recommend this to my fellow tumblr ndns, and followers who are truly & respectfully interested.  I have such a close, personal connection to this book, that I wouldn’t want the wrong person to read it and think they understand it, because I think Alexie is very much an author of the reader-response theory.  Those of us who have lived these stories FEEL every word that he says.  Someone who doesn’t know what he’s referring to misses all the deep, subtle layers and could misunderstand what is actually being said.

starkdisassembled:

Oooooooooooooooooooooowned.

By one of my abso-favorite non-Natives. Because if you sit down and listen long enough to mount this kind of argument, you sorta renew my faith in the outside world a little.

This reply from a friend, recent events, and the fact that when people say “educate me” I rip my hair out has inspired me to write this.

I’m from Los Angeles, the home of this:

I was born and raised under the powerful influence of Hollywood, especially since when I walk out my door and go down the street it’s right there. It takes me awhile to adjust to the lack movie billboards and Star Line Tour vehicles on every corner when I got to another city.

So for the longest time, Hollywood’s depictions of Natives were just that, depictions. Not dehumanizing racism. I never thought racism was dead but I thought it was only thriving in individuals, not society itself. I just never bothered to think much of it.

Then I picked up a copy of Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie for a school project. I was shocked to discover that his portrayal of Natives was so distant from my own. I read more and more of his books, disturbed and confused with every one. Those books lead me to Custer Died for Your Sins by Vine Deloria Jr. which was the book that convinced me to do more research on the subject.

Read More

I freakin’ adore this blogger.

My gut tells me the anon isn’t actually Native but Android didn’t need to directly state that to make their point. They were able to slam them out of the ballpark without it.