Our documentary was cited and discussed in #CINEPHILE, Vol. 16, no.1, University of British Columbia’s film journal, “The Transnational White Indian”. The PDF is available online for download here.

In the excellent preface by Robert Stam, it helps explain why it’s so many mid to older German ytguys especially continue to idolize & defend appropriation and misrepresentation practices. The homo-erotic, homo-social aspects of Shatterhand & Winnetou’s relationship is distinct in Karl May’s novels, and the whitewashing or eurocentrizing of Natives.

But there’s great info throughout Stam’s chapter on the romanticization of genocide, the usurping/replacement of actual Natives by yts, and the coveting or “ownership” of Indigenous cultures by self-named experts 🙄. Stam traces the history of Native stereotypes from the beginning of motion pictures and relevant literature in the 19th and 20th centuries, and briefly why #Germany is the most notorious.

What are some of the main issues of such practices and behaviors?

1. It harms and erases the cultures targeted, plus who were/are the ones who that enacted and still benefit from genocidal practices.

2. Distracts from recognizing & healing the internal antagonism, stereotyping and trauma in European societies seeking escapism through appropriation.

3. As an example, research is finding the white male demographic is the largest sudden move in claiming nonbinary & other identities PLUS are the ONLY group closest to Native Americans in suicide rates after a certain age.

This is no surprise. On one end of this spectrum you have the culturally appropriated and misrepresented, and on the other end, those who have brutalized and culturally destroyed themselves and others. They hold and withhold and monopolize structural power gained through horrific acts of violence through the centuries, against their own peoples as well, yet now many claim we who oppose them are trying to deny their rights to nostalgic racism, sexism, ableism, misogyny and homo- & transphobia. Basically, they wish to continue exploiting, misusing and abusing others, and dislike and resent anyone who calls them out and demands they Stop.

Don’t be taken in by such rhetoric, such “woe is me”, “reverse racism” and/or “but real women are” rationalizations for discrimination, stereotyping and hate.

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Description: “The same mentality that ignores Indigenous rights to self-representation are often those who also stereotype and gaslight GLBTIIQ people, women (of all types), the disabled or economically challenged, especially people of color just for desiring change and equality. It is basically saying, “My gratification is more important than your dignity, your rights or even your life.” This is a main facet of rape culture. It is intersecting oppression. Trailer.

A list of most other Red Haircrow citations on these specific topics can be found at Google Scholar. The citations include Red’s work, interviews, commentary and other multimedia.