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Is Actress Michelle Williams racist for dressing like this?

Posted By: Ric Peterson · 3/14/2013 8:34:00 AM

Oz The Great and Powerful actress Michelle Williams has been accused of racism after dressing as a Native American for a British magazine called AnOther.  As you can see the pic shows her in long braids, beads and with a feather in her hair.  The cover went viral as blogs labelled it 'offensive', 'racist' and 'sterotypical' and demanded an apology.

A New York online magazine Refinery29 said 'We can't believe how offensive Michelle Williams' latest cover is.  They added super-long, thick, black extensions and braided them — and darkened her eyebrows. Then there's the makeup. The photo is in black-and-white, so you can't tell for sure if they've altered her normally fair skin, but there is some definite contouring around the nose and the cheekbones that not only makes her look nearly unrecognizable, but also appears to mimic the stark relief of facial features often seen in early portraits of Native American women.'

Jezebel says. 'Am I glad that unlike most racist, stereotypical caricatures of American Indians in pop culture today, Michelle is not practically naked? Yes — but just as Blackface is never okay, Redface is never okay. Ever.

The Huffington Post writes, 'While not everyone might be offended, there have been all too many instances of fashion professionals ruffling feathers with ill-conceived Native American-inspired projects.'

I don't think she owes anyone an apology and see nothing wrong with the picture.  What do you think?

 


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  1. Dani posted on 03/14/2013 09:40 AM
    I went and looked at the series of pictures....I don't think that she owes anyone an apology.
  2. Joel LaBillois posted on 03/14/2013 01:45 PM
    So what is she's some blond American girl from Montana who is dressing up like an Indian. So what if she is from the state where the Battle of Little Big Horn was fought, where Custer died for their sins. So what if the US Army forced the Sioux out of their traditional territories in Montana. So what if the US Army's efforts to control the Cheyenne in that state lead to the deaths of hundreds of Native Americans. If she is "red face" on the cover of a magazine, she must be honouring Native Americans, right? Just like Al Jolson was honouring African-Americans when he wore "black face", right?
  3. DAve posted on 03/14/2013 03:17 PM
    According to Dee Brown's 1977 book, "Hear that Lonesome Whistle Blow", roughly 10 percent of America's land was handed over to the railroad barons by the Federal government, in exchange for them to construct 5 transcontinental railroads. Guess who lost out? And a lot of the settlers that bought the overpriced, underperforming lands in Montana were--you guessed it--Scandinavians! This picture makes perfect sense to me.
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