Is this fabric offensive?

[TempName01]

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.

I don’t look at it and instantly think racist because to me it looks like a rather ugly caracture of a 1920’s flapper lady. Certainly a talking point if you chose to cover a sofa in the stuff.

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

Just because something doesn't personally offend you, it doesn't mean it isn't offensive.

Stereotypes are harmful to everyone.

That's a fact, nothing 'woke' about it.

so you basically can't have images of anyone, cartoon or otherwise?

So folk aren't able to look at a cartoon of a sailor or a farmer or a man in a kilt or any kind of national dress and know that not all scottish people are white men wearing kilts or not all farmers have beards and ride on tractors?

People can choose to be offended or not offended about lots of things, it doesn't mean that they are offensive.

It’s the “ugly savage” stereotype I’m uncomfortable with. Don’t consider myself woke, nor am I into cancel culture.

Are those fatigue-bags under her eyes or something tribalesque.....can’t tell due to fuzzy picture?

I still dont understand what the stereotype actually is? An image of a person drawn in cartoon version isn't necessarily a stereotype. So what is the stereotype being portrayed?

Totally inappropriate! It's an ugly, angry nativ person. Talk about a stereotype. It's grim! Who on earth makes this?
I like the colours personally but the character is just

People can choose to be offended or not offended about lots of things, it doesn't mean that they are offensive.

It doesn't mean that they aren't.

No. Just no. Of course it's offensive. And I actually like the pattern and colours.

So what is the stereotype being portrayed

Ugly, wonky eyed, angry looking native with spear in hand, inaccurate caricature dress, lumped in with the animals.

I don’t think it’s offensive; it’s just a little cartoon person.

@SoupDragon

People can choose to be offended or not offended about lots of things, it doesn't mean that they are offensive.

It doesn't mean that they aren't.

But they're not offensive to everyone, so...

I’m obviously not the type of person who is always looking to be offended woke enough to give that fabric a second glance and luckily neither are my family and friends, so I say stop worrying about what other people think and go for it if you like it.

On the first picture I though it was Betty Boop.

Not for me I'm afraid. I think it's really important we try to avoid this sort of thing. It normalises stereotypes that chip away at respect and equity.

But they're not offensive to everyone, so...

So...?

I love it!

I think that it’s offensive to the people it’s meant to represent. And that’s the main thing that matters to me.

*People can choose to be offended or not offended about lots of things, it doesn't mean that they are offensive.

It doesn't mean that they aren't*

Or it means that different people get offended by different things. Outwith the criminally offensive, living your life in the fear of offending someone else due to taste in fabrics etc. is batshit crazy imo. If you like it, buy it and if you dont, then pick another fabric. Basing your opinion on the opinion of others seems like a shitty way forward.

So if it's offensive, would a cartoon of a French man in a beret on a bike with onions round his neck also be offensive?

Not offensive at all, its the pits when people find some fabric offensive !! I would not buy it however,as I don't like busy patterns.

I think that it’s offensive to the people it’s meant to represent - Is it though? I hear plenty of people claiming this but Im not convinced its true. Sure, you'll maybe find a small minority of native americans vocally offended by it (as you will with anything), but equally (from my own research) most native americans couldnt give a fuck about shit like this. Now poverty, alcoholism, poor living conditions, access to education, healthcare etc, these were the things that we discussed. Cutesy stereotypical depictions of them, so far down the list im not sure it was even on the list.

Is it going to be hung up in the street, who is going to be offended anyway, depends who comes round your house I suppose. I just have what I want in my house and if people don’t like it, tough.

@formerbabe

So if it's offensive, would a cartoon of a French man in a beret on a bike with onions round his neck also be offensive?

Have French men been persecuted due to being French men?

How do all the people who think it's fine feel about golliwogs?

@formerbabe

It’s putting a cutesy “native” In the same category as cutesy jungle animals

Do you think drawing a cutesy, cartoon drawing of any person at all is offensive?

No, but I think putting a non-white person in the “exotic animals” category is offensive.

No, but I think putting a non-white person in the “exotic animals” category is offensive

So the print is insinuating the character drawn is an animal too?