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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this fabric offensive?

207 replies

TempName01 · 03/09/2020 11:49

I really like this fabric but I’m unsure whether it could be seen as offensive or at the least raise an eyebrow if you saw it in someone’s house? It’s got a stereotypical Native American character in it.

Is this fabric offensive?
Is this fabric offensive?
OP posts:
romeolovedjulliet · 03/09/2020 12:19

another senstive hun. still everyone has their opinion as voting shows.

Ishihtzuknot · 03/09/2020 12:20

I wouldn’t be offended but it’s ugly sorry. Do you have any potential visitors who would find it offensive or raise an eyebrow? It’s a bit much for an entire sofa imo.

IamTomHanks · 03/09/2020 12:21

Definitely offensive, and I say that as someone whose mother is First Nations...and why do they look so angry?

WorraLiberty · 03/09/2020 12:22

The second pic looks like Dora The Explorer, about to stab the frog with her spear.

Sometimeswinning · 03/09/2020 12:22

This was the last place to ask!! Try asking people around you. You'll get a proper answer.

SummerPoppies · 03/09/2020 12:23

If you like it then buy it.
Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 03/09/2020 12:23

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

That image looks absolutely nothing like a native american to me.

The very fact that you feel like it could cause offense should be enough to put you if it. There are millions of nicer fabrics out there, why would you choose one that is controversial/possibly offensive to some?

That's what I thought - more like an attempt at a Mayan or Incan. Poorly drawn even for a cartoon character.

I wouldn't buy it though, just because I don't like it.

VainAbigail · 03/09/2020 12:25

Reminds me of something along the lines of Lilo & Stitch.

LEELULUMPKIN · 03/09/2020 12:26

inappropriate AND fugly.

IamTomHanks · 03/09/2020 12:26

more like an attempt at a Mayan or Incan

It's honestly like someone took a bit of every stereotypical image of natives from North and South America and Hawaii and mashed them together into one offensive caricature.

Quite a feat really.

IVFNewbie · 03/09/2020 12:26

it wouldn't even cross my mind to think about it.

Fink · 03/09/2020 12:27

Where are you based? Someone on MN recommended Dalston Mill Fabrics (in east London) to me and they are amazing. They have some online selection but so much more in shop. I wanted something to mach a particular colour scheme and they had about 20 fabrics that I could have chosen from just with that one shade. They'll send you samples of anything for around £1 each.

www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/

I do think that fabric is offensive, but the good news is that there's a lot of choice out there!

Veterinari · 03/09/2020 12:28

@Sometimeswinning

This was the last place to ask!! Try asking people around you. You'll get a proper answer.
That depends on whether or not you're surrounded by people who think reducing ethnic groups to caricatures is ok or not
MrsEricBana · 03/09/2020 12:30

A sofa you say? No, on taste grounds alone, plus almost certainly offensive.

TheVanguardSix · 03/09/2020 12:31

It's not offensive at all. It's cute in its own way. Personally, I'd need to take a couple of Kwells with a Rennie chaser if I had to sit on your sofa, but to each his/her own! If you love it, go for it. You do what brings you joy.

fuandylp · 03/09/2020 12:32

It's absolutely hideous and inappropriate.

AlienMutant · 03/09/2020 12:33

It would give me a migraine....

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 03/09/2020 12:34

i just think it looks childish

steppemum · 03/09/2020 12:34

Do you kow what?

the OP didn't ask if you liked the floral part of it, or if you liked bright colours, or busy patterns, or if you thoguht it was ugly, you lot are sometimes bloody rude.
Honestly, not everyone wants their house pale grey.
She just asked about the character.

OP, go for the bright floral if you like it. But find one without the offensive cartoon character.

Sometimeswinning · 03/09/2020 12:37

That depends on whether or not you're surrounded by people who think reducing ethnic groups to caricatures is ok or not

You are right. My friends and family wouldnt think like your way of thinking. They'd just wonder why I had cartoon characters all over my sofa.

gamerchick · 03/09/2020 12:38

OP you're asking in the wrong place. Speak to your pals.

RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 03/09/2020 12:39

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

LovelyLovelyMe · 03/09/2020 12:43

It looks fine to me, although I think it would be a bit much to have a sofa or curtains in it-it would dominate the room and I certainly wouldn't mix it with any other pattern at all.

If your room is otherwise fairly plain, then it would look good as cushion covers or a footstool.

Over a third of people don't think it's unreasonable and I'm with them.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 03/09/2020 12:45

It just looks like a cartoon character to me. It's a bit Betty Boop-like with a feather headdress like a burlesque dancer.

Do you have a house guest in mind who you feel may be offended by it and, if so, why would they be?

TempName01 · 03/09/2020 12:45

@steppemum

Do you kow what?

the OP didn't ask if you liked the floral part of it, or if you liked bright colours, or busy patterns, or if you thoguht it was ugly, you lot are sometimes bloody rude.
Honestly, not everyone wants their house pale grey.
She just asked about the character.

OP, go for the bright floral if you like it. But find one without the offensive cartoon character.

Thanks love, luckily those of us who like ugly, garish, childish, migraine inducing fabric also have a good sense of humour 😚
OP posts: