Why is this still allowed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The Indian head-dress was my favorite craft at my kids' Montessori preschool!

As a foreigner whose parents come from Europe and Asia, I fail to understand the American concept of cultural appropriation that comes up at every Halloween and every time somebody references anything African-American or Indian American.

I'll say this bluntly - stop being so stupid. DOn't you realize you're shooting yourself in the foot by turning innocent activities into issues? The real issues are then ignored!
The line between entertainment, education and cultural appropriation may be occasionally blurry, but in most cases, as in this one, it is not.

PP again - and feel free to dress as people from either of my native countries on any occasion. I could not care less.

Same here! Where's the offense, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a preschool teacher...apparently I'm changing my November craft plans. I sadly had no idea the headdress was offensive. I'm glad I read this.

Thank you! I really appreciate teachers who are willing to reevaluate! Here's a short piece on what to do instead of the crafts so many of us grew up with:
http://www.koco.com/article/expert-offers-ways-for-metro-schools-to-provide-accurate-portrayals-of-thanksgiving/13138442

[Anonymous]

Native people are alive, unlike 1500s Puritans. Intent is not impact. These kids grow up to be people who pout that their “wholesome childhood fun” is no longer “PC.” And gluing feathers to construction paper is not appreciation. Maybe next a nice Catholic school can make fake paper yarmulkes and have the girls and boys wear them and ask for money in broken Yiddish. It’s all in good fun and everything’s a stereotype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh 3 yr old came home with a Native American headdress craft from preschool today. My daughter wants to wear it around the house but I’ll be honest it makes me cringe. Hopefully she loses interest soon. Would you say something to the director or let it go?

What is wrong with this? I don’t understand why you are cringing. Presumably they are learning about Indians? Btw, the term “Native American” is out of date and politically incorrect. It’s like saying “colored people” or “Negro” or “Oriental.” The correct term is “Indian” or “American Indian” or best, the actual tribe.

I though they were originally called Indians because the idiot Columbus thought he was in or near India? Given that he was wrong it doesnt make sense to call them Indians. Native Americans makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh 3 yr old came home with a Native American headdress craft from preschool today. My daughter wants to wear it around the house but I’ll be honest it makes me cringe. Hopefully she loses interest soon. Would you say something to the director or let it go?

What is wrong with this? I don’t understand why you are cringing. Presumably they are learning about Indians? Btw, the term “Native American” is out of date and politically incorrect. It’s like saying “colored people” or “Negro” or “Oriental.” The correct term is “Indian” or “American Indian” or best, the actual tribe.

I though they were originally called Indians because the idiot Columbus thought he was in or near India? Given that he was wrong it doesnt make sense to call them Indians. Native Americans makes more sense.

You tell 'em. Clearly, you know better than they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a preschool teacher...apparently I'm changing my November craft plans. I sadly had no idea the headdress was offensive. I'm glad I read this.

Thank you! I really appreciate teachers who are willing to reevaluate! Here's a short piece on what to do instead of the crafts so many of us grew up with:
http://www.koco.com/article/expert-offers-ways-for-metro-schools-to-provide-accurate-portrayals-of-thanksgiving/13138442

Good to know, I will focus on the Harvest. Thanks for the link

[Anonymous]

Do they still sing "Ten Little Indians"? Such a good rythem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want to ban something that is actually cool looking. Crazy.

My culture is not a costume to entertain you. It is deeply offensive and hurtful to see people reduce your culture to a caricature because they can't be bothered to learn anything about our people -- and to see that being ingrained and perpetuated starting at such a young age. It's akin to your kid bringing home a class art project of a watermelon drawing to celebrate Black History Month.

Headdresses are a sacred sacrament for the tribes that use them. They're not something that should be casually created and then worn.

I don't expect 3yos to make an accurate crafts - but the project should be based on actual culture and history and not caricatures or use sacred symbols. There are preschool appropriate activities children can do instead. Print some out for the school when you address this. (And thank you for speaking up!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want to ban something that is actually cool looking. Crazy.

My culture is not a costume to entertain you. It is deeply offensive and hurtful to see people reduce your culture to a caricature because they can't be bothered to learn anything about our people -- and to see that being ingrained and perpetuated starting at such a young age. It's akin to your kid bringing home a class art project of a watermelon drawing to celebrate Black History Month.

Headdresses are a sacred sacrament for the tribes that use them. They're not something that should be casually created and then worn.

I don't expect 3yos to make an accurate crafts - but the project should be based on actual culture and history and not caricatures or use sacred symbols. There are preschool appropriate activities children can do instead. Print some out for the school when you address this. (And thank you for speaking up!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want to ban something that is actually cool looking. Crazy.

My culture is not a costume to entertain you. It is deeply offensive and hurtful to see people reduce your culture to a caricature because they can't be bothered to learn anything about our people -- and to see that being ingrained and perpetuated starting at such a young age. It's akin to your kid bringing home a class art project of a watermelon drawing to celebrate Black History Month.

Headdresses are a sacred sacrament for the tribes that use them. They're not something that should be casually created and then worn.

I don't expect 3yos to make an accurate crafts - but the project should be based on actual culture and history and not caricatures or use sacred symbols. There are preschool appropriate activities children can do instead. Print some out for the school when you address this. (And thank you for speaking up!)

I really don’t understand why thoughtful posts like these get eyerolls. There’s a multi page thread on the off topic board about how people don’t say omg and teach their kids not to say it, even though they don’t personally find it offensive, but someone else might. That’s fine. It’s respectful. But a cultura group is saying please don’t make fun of us/caricature our sacred symbols/lump several groups into one, and it’s an eye roll. When we teach the kids about Hanukkah, we’re not calling it Jewish Christmas, making paper yarmulkes, and taping fake paper curls to their heads are we? It’s not that different conceptually. If you can see why one is offensive, you should be able to see why both are.

[Anonymous]

Choctaw Nation member here. Don't lump us all together. I'm totally fine with the Native American head dress as a craft. Everyone in my circle of friends feels exactly the same. We have been approached by schools and daycares about this issue many times. While I'm grateful they are trying to be sensitive, I think it's a little silly.

[Anonymous]

Here is a good resource: http://www.naeyc.org/content/anti-bias-guide-holidays

OP, I think there are a lot of progressive people in early childhood, but your run-of-the-mill center is more likely to be staffed by people short on resources, including time to think reflectively about the program's approach to holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Choctaw Nation member here. Don't lump us all together. I'm totally fine with the Native American head dress as a craft. Everyone in my circle of friends feels exactly the same. We have been approached by schools and daycares about this issue many times. While I'm grateful they are trying to be sensitive, I think it's a little silly.

From reading online, it's not clear whether the Wampanoag have strong feelings about a feather headdress for children. They have strong feelings about Thanksgiving, some positive and some negative. The story of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag coming together for a thanksgiving feast is real, although it leaves out a lot. A feast of Thanksgiving, celebrating the harvest, family, and community, is a good holiday, not a bad one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a preschool teacher...apparently I'm changing my November craft plans. I sadly had no idea the headdress was offensive. I'm glad I read this.

I can’t believe you are kowtowing to the DCUM crazies!

Proceed as planned.

[Anonymous]

Let's just forget about them completely. Sounds like that's what they want.