I mean, a collection inspired by native art in collaboration with native artists and models and/or with some proceeds going toward an appropriate cause could be cool. But don't treat your customers like they're idiots. It has fucking "tribe" right there in the name. There's a product called "Arrowhead." Come on.
And those music festivals appropriate all kinds of shit from Native American cultures. In fact, a lot of the fashion and "fun" that happens is based on shit Native American cultures never really did, but white people like to think they did because OH COOL FUN AND EXOTIC! Like the headbands: that shit was done in movies so the actors playing Native Americans could keep their wigs on. And yes, you have faux Navajo patterns on your products and you called one of them "Arrowhead," BUT IT'S TOTALLY NOT INSPIRED BY THOSE TROPES HA HA HA BUY OUR SHIT!!!
ReplyDeleteIn short, I'm getting pretty fucking tired of companies like MAC playing dumb.
Thanks to you, too. I love your blog (another daily read) and I appreciate seeing your disgust with this.
DeleteExactly! Even from a totally cynical PR perspective, I don't know why they thought this collection was a good idea to begin with, much less that statement.
DeleteThank you for writing about this. I'm fully Native American, and I have just exhausted my resources to keep repeating how uncool this is, and your thoughtful statement helps spread the message.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! The whole thing just baffles me. The whole cultural appropriation thing isn't exactly a new, obscure concept at this point.
DeleteCause those music festivals aren't inspired by (read blatantly steal the culture from) Native American Tribes? That's... awkward.
ReplyDeleteI know! It's such nonsense.
DeleteIt's baffling that this appropriation is an ongoing problem. MAC's justification on using style "inspired by music festivals" is embarrassing. I've always admired MAC's work through Viva Glam, but this is not a collection for them to be proud of. This would've been a great opportunity to have a vis-a-vis collaboration with the Native American community and introduce more knowledge about different cultures to the masses instead of perpetuating ignorance.
ReplyDeleteIf they really wanted to have a "music festival" theme. Wouldn't designs based on desert landscapes/plants with little music notes or something be more fitting?
I support your stance on this! I'm a very proud reader!
Yes, I fail to see the music festival connection OTHER than that festival style also "borrows" (to put it politely) from native culture. Good point!
DeleteI think MAC's claim that the aesthetic of the collection isn't at all influenced by or appropriating Native American culture (which in and of itself is a problematic concept-there is no one singular Native American culture!) is in large part a result of the concept of the "myth of the vanishing race." So basically, people have appropriated aspects of Native culture, or what they've perceived to be Native culture, but they don't view it as a problematic thing or even consciously realize they're appropriating Native culture bc they believe that Native communities and cultures are all relegated to the past.
ReplyDeleteIdk I wrote my senior thesis in large part about that concept so this is something I'm really passionate about. And this isn't the first time MAC's made some racially insensitive/fucked up collection (MAC x Rodarte still makes my blood boil). It's a shame bc I love so many of their products.
Yes, that could be! I don't buy MAC, and things like this don't make me want to start. I feel like there has been enough conversation about this stuff in the air lately that it's hard to believe they really don't get it.
DeleteThank you so much for including this point! I'm personally so tired of the Native American "grouping"!
DeleteOh yes, I'm guilty of using the phrase "Native culture" in one of my comments here, as though there is One North American Aboriginal Culture or something. That's a mistake. Maybe this is also part of what makes MAC think what they are saying is appropriate? That they are alluding to a bunch of vague Native cultural concepts but not borrowing from any one group in particular? (I.e. much like festival fashion.) But then that's still not "absolutely no connection." It's certainly some connection.
DeleteI know I just keep dropping by to comment, which might not be as supportive of your statement as I intended- but I'm floored with admiration that you went back and considered your own word choices and their impact on this societal blind spot. I've been a reader/fan for a long time, but now on a personal level, (creepy on the internet, sorry) thank you. That kind of consideration is how change happens. You're kind of great, just thought you should know.
DeleteThank you for your support and your comments! I think it would be hypocritical for me to complain about the language MAC is using and not to think about my own--especially since I should (and did) know better.
DeleteThis is some bullshit. I still think the Rodarte fiasco of 2010 was MAC's lowest point, but our society is a lot more conscious of cultural appropriation in 2016 than we were six years ago, and MAC really has no excuse. Especially because their entire brand identity is based on the concept of diversity! It's literally THEIR JOB not to fuck up like this.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think after having to cancel the Rodarte thing, which must have cost them a significant amount, they would have hired some people who could helped prevent this shit from happening again. I am totally cynical when it comes to the intentions of companies, so I wonder if they think the controversy in this case will only be beneficial to sales (no bad publicity etc.).
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