Comments on: Letters: to Juliette Lewis http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/ Changing the world means starting with myself. Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:08:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Rob Schmidt http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2689 Rob Schmidt Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:07:58 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2689 Re "The head dress you are reffering to has been donned by millions of kids etc on halloween for decades as well as being an iconic symbol of the native americans and the positive aspects of the native american experience": In other words, millions of kids have stereotyped Indians as belonging to the Plains cultures of the distant past. And millions of adults have taken the "iconic symbol" to mean that most Indians belonged to the Plains cultures of the distant past. Was that your point, Leslie? If so, you made it effectively. See "Team Names and Mascots" (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/mascots.htm) and "The Big Chief" (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/chief.htm) for more on the stereotype you so enthusiastically embrace. Re “The head dress you are reffering to has been donned by millions of kids etc on halloween for decades as well as being an iconic symbol of the native americans and the positive aspects of the native american experience”:

In other words, millions of kids have stereotyped Indians as belonging to the Plains cultures of the distant past. And millions of adults have taken the “iconic symbol” to mean that most Indians belonged to the Plains cultures of the distant past. Was that your point, Leslie? If so, you made it effectively.

See “Team Names and Mascots” (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/mascots.htm) and “The Big Chief” (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/chief.htm) for more on the stereotype you so enthusiastically embrace.

]]> By: Mimi http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2688 Mimi Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:20:38 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2688 while not QUITE the same as blackface, I see where you are going. It is more along the lines of wearing mud cloth. Blackface is not a representation of black culture at all and the fact that you would compare the two is a bit trite. I see where you want to go with this argument but your focus and presentation of issue is bad. Really bad. while not QUITE the same as blackface, I see where you are going. It is more along the lines of wearing mud cloth. Blackface is not a representation of black culture at all and the fact that you would compare the two is a bit trite. I see where you want to go with this argument but your focus and presentation of issue is bad. Really bad.

]]> By: Indigenous Feminism and Cultural Appropriation at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2687 Indigenous Feminism and Cultural Appropriation at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:45:51 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2687 [...] “Juliette Lewis and the Licks” since I know sumbody’s prolly talkin’, and I came up with this open letter crafted online to send to her: (Sent to the myspace account of Juliette and the Licks, in response [...] [...] “Juliette Lewis and the Licks” since I know sumbody’s prolly talkin’, and I came up with this open letter crafted online to send to her: (Sent to the myspace account of Juliette and the Licks, in response [...]

]]> By: Steven http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2671 Steven Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:51:29 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2671 Actually, when an artist uses imagery that is attached to racist caricatures of people, those people have every right to ask the what and why of it from the artist, as do we all. I love the band and respect their work and I am curious as to why she chose that particular symbology, and hope it is thought out. Just because children dress like that for halloween doesn't make it any less thoughtlessly racist....it doesn't make it necessarily so either. If she were using blackface style facepaint she would be expected to explain why she is appropriating that particular imagery, right? Just because a member of a minority group asks for clarification of the motives of someone using stereotyped images that have been used to degrade them doesn't mean they are being knee-jerk PC reactionaries. Images have meaning and power, which is why artists use them. A true artist understands the images and symbolism of what they do, use them for a reason, and can hold forth on the intention, if it is paying respect to a proud tradition then they will say so, mindlessly accepting what they do is absurd. Insulting someone for trying to explore an issue like this is childish and out of touch with the importance of symbols in our culture, and likely comes from someone who's never had the essential value of their personhood or culture questioned. Actually, when an artist uses imagery that is attached to racist caricatures of people, those people have every right to ask the what and why of it from the artist, as do we all. I love the band and respect their work and I am curious as to why she chose that particular symbology, and hope it is thought out. Just because children dress like that for halloween doesn’t make it any less thoughtlessly racist….it doesn’t make it necessarily so either. If she were using blackface style facepaint she would be expected to explain why she is appropriating that particular imagery, right?

Just because a member of a minority group asks for clarification of the motives of someone using stereotyped images that have been used to degrade them doesn’t mean they are being knee-jerk PC reactionaries. Images have meaning and power, which is why artists use them. A true artist understands the images and symbolism of what they do, use them for a reason, and can hold forth on the intention, if it is paying respect to a proud tradition then they will say so, mindlessly accepting what they do is absurd. Insulting someone for trying to explore an issue like this is childish and out of touch with the importance of symbols in our culture, and likely comes from someone who’s never had the essential value of their personhood or culture questioned.

]]> By: Leslie http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2608 Leslie Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:09:18 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2608 "I like how as a white person I am automatically racist or bigoted by default if I don’t share the same miserable viewpoint as someone of ethnicity." Just to clarify I should have worded that comment as "...share the same miserable viewpoint as an INDIVIDUAL of ethnicity". In rereading it, it sounds like I'm addressing Ethnic people in general when that was actually addressed to you, sarcasm doesn't always translate, sorry... “I like how as a white person I am automatically racist or bigoted by default if I don’t share the same miserable viewpoint as someone of ethnicity.”

Just to clarify I should have worded that comment as “…share the same miserable viewpoint as an INDIVIDUAL of ethnicity”. In rereading it, it sounds like I’m addressing Ethnic people in general when that was actually addressed to you, sarcasm doesn’t always translate, sorry…

]]> By: Leslie http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2605 Leslie Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:30:38 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2605 sorry I'm late on reading your response and blog so here's the thing, people do pay regard and acknowledge the plight of the American Indian, it actually seems to have surpassed the plight of the African Americans in it's popularity. I don't think anyone disagrees or is flippant about the crimes against humanity that this country has comitted. But Ms Lewis has donned the Native American inspiration as one of strength and independence, a warrior. What is negative about that? Why do you imbue her with more credit than she deserves on the issue, like she should now be a spokesperson for the Native American and their history, talk about tacky and insulting if she assumed that role. What a slippery slope to walk then. YOU are the one interpreting it negatively and providing the poison, your viewpoint is not the final verdict. I don't feel artists are above the law but nor should they stoop to the level of their critics and or be truly un inspired by explaining the cause or motive of their aesthetic. I like how as a white person I am automatically racist or bigoted by default if I don't share the same miserable viewpoint as someone of ethnicity. How asasinine it would be if Ms Lewis were to become a spokesperson for the Native Americans when she is not Native American, she is simply and obviously a admirer, a fan, an artist who borrows from the pantheon of pop culture and history to infuse a new take and or concept of things we are familiar with. Thats art. sorry I’m late on reading your response and blog so here’s the thing, people do pay regard and acknowledge the plight of the American Indian, it actually seems to have surpassed the plight of the African Americans in it’s popularity. I don’t think anyone disagrees or is flippant about the crimes against humanity that this country has comitted. But Ms Lewis has donned the Native American inspiration as one of strength and independence, a warrior. What is negative about that? Why do you imbue her with more credit than she deserves on the issue, like she should now be a spokesperson for the Native American and their history, talk about tacky and insulting if she assumed that role. What a slippery slope to walk then. YOU are the one interpreting it negatively and providing the poison, your viewpoint is not the final verdict.

I don’t feel artists are above the law but nor should they stoop to the level of their critics and or be truly un inspired by explaining the cause or motive of their aesthetic. I like how as a white person I am automatically racist or bigoted by default if I don’t share the same miserable viewpoint as someone of ethnicity.

How asasinine it would be if Ms Lewis were to become a spokesperson for the Native Americans when she is not Native American, she is simply and obviously a admirer, a fan, an artist who borrows from the pantheon of pop culture and history to infuse a new take and or concept of things we are familiar with. Thats art.

]]> By: mamablossom http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2599 mamablossom Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:25:52 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2599 Thanks, Leslie. I'm glad you think I have literary flair and smart form. I do make an effort. - Atena Thanks, Leslie. I’m glad you think I have literary flair and smart form. I do make an effort.

- Atena

]]> By: Why I am a Critic of Bigoted Behavior (artistic though it may be): Wrapping up the tiny saga of correspondence with “Juliette and the Licks.” « Assumptions, Biases & Irrational Fantasies http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2598 Why I am a Critic of Bigoted Behavior (artistic though it may be): Wrapping up the tiny saga of correspondence with “Juliette and the Licks.” « Assumptions, Biases & Irrational Fantasies Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:11:21 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2598 [...] Indeed, I aspire to the cool, even-handed kind of response that commenter leslie has demonstrated here. Thanks, leslie, for raising the bar, and not expressing any vitriol toward me in your responses. [...] [...] Indeed, I aspire to the cool, even-handed kind of response that commenter leslie has demonstrated here. Thanks, leslie, for raising the bar, and not expressing any vitriol toward me in your responses. [...]

]]> By: leslie http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2597 leslie Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:55:42 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2597 and I love how people dress their nit-picky, overly PC, limited view of the world with literary flair and seemingly thought out conjecture and smart form, when really your biased and and generally bland view of things is not, I'm sure, only reserved for Juliette Lewis. I'm sure alot of people piss you off weekly.... Keep up these ineffectual blogs and maybe you will expel all this tired vitriol from your system. Let's hope or maybe you'll just continue to be a critic. and I love how people dress their nit-picky, overly PC, limited view of the world with literary flair and seemingly thought out conjecture and smart form, when really your biased and and generally bland view of things is not, I’m sure, only reserved for Juliette Lewis. I’m sure alot of people piss you off weekly…. Keep up these ineffectual blogs and maybe you will expel all this tired vitriol from your system. Let’s hope or maybe you’ll just continue to be a critic.

]]> By: leslie http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2596 leslie Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:48:39 +0000 http://antibias.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/letters-to-juliette-lewis/#comment-2596 it's a shame your "letter" here says more about you than your intended subject. The head dress you are reffering to has been donned by millions of kids etc on halloween for decades as well as being an iconic symbol of the native americans and the positive aspects of the native american experience. Because Ms Lewis is not as limited and literal as you, she has an aesthetic and talent beyond your ability for sharp words and inaccurate claims, she does not need some cliff note as to what and why etc, she is an artist. You obviously are not. You are a critic. it’s a shame your “letter” here says more about you than your intended subject. The head dress you are reffering to has been donned by millions of kids etc on halloween for decades as well as being an iconic symbol of the native americans and the positive aspects of the native american experience. Because Ms Lewis is not as limited and literal as you, she has an aesthetic and talent beyond your ability for sharp words and inaccurate claims, she does not need some cliff note as to what and why etc, she is an artist. You obviously are not. You are a critic.

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