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.

For a child's bedroom curtains ( under 8 years olds ) maybe . Anywhere else - no.

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

Looks like it ~ everything is offensive to someone

Have French men been persecuted due to being French men?

So stereotypes are fine as long as the person being stereotyped has not experienced persecution?

Definite no, I think. I'm shocked that fabric like this is still being sold, it is clearly depicting a racist stereotype.

I have Native Americans in my family and would definitely more than raise an eyebrow at that fabric if I saw it in a friend's house. And that person would become an ex friend.

It's definitely up there on the golliwog scale to me.

@formerbabe

Have French men been persecuted due to being French men?

So stereotypes are fine as long as the person being stereotyped has not experienced persecution?

You are being deliberately obtuse.

Tell me, how do you feel about golliwogs? No one seems keen to answer that one.

No, but I think putting a non-white person in the “exotic animals” category is offensive.
It certainly would be, but you're the only one who has that take on it.
Which probably says a lot about you, actually.

@formerbabe

Have French men been persecuted due to being French men?

So stereotypes are fine as long as the person being stereotyped has not experienced persecution?

It is the same principle as why white people do not experience racism. Or don't you understand that either?

This thread reminds me of this

Yes.

Of course it's not offensive, how ridiculous!

I really like the colours and pattern, but not with that image on it.

Also, no point asking on MN about bright coloured stuff, everyone seems to like grey, thus them missing the point.

In regards to the exotic animals comment, let's imagine a print depicting the Serengeti, there is a drawing of a black person and drawings of animals such as zebras? Does this mean the black person is being likened to an animal? If you think it does, then like a pp said, that says more about you.

Art can be about making a statement so in your shoes, I’d happily use the fabric. If people want to discuss the print when they visit, that’s grand too.

It is the same principle as why white people do not experience racism. Or don't you understand that either

@SoupDragon. Seeing as I'm the mother of mixed race children, I very much understand that thanks. I also do not think that a cartoon drawing of anyone who isn't white is inherently racist and offensive.

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.

Those "cutesy stereotypical depictions help to dehumanise them and contribute jo many of the problems you mention above.

Judging by the number of articles and videos created by Native Americans and other measures they take to draw attention to the harm that stereotypes cause to them, I'm not so sure that it is a tiny minority who are troubled by them.

Just a few.

www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=6952cd8971d54798bfca07fbad03bca1

www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/upload/files/CHASKE-TESTIMONY-5-5-docx.pdf On the Impact of stereotypes

www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/12/native-americans-recasting-views-indigenous-life/

www.ncaa.org/static/champion/where-pride-meets-prejudice/index.php?division=d3

I love it, it’s so quirky. You are right about the little character though, best not to go for that one.

It cute. If you like it then go for it

If you have to ask "is this offensive?" then it's probably not a design you should use.

I think the fact they are shown as looking angry is kinda playing into the stereotype of the savage. If you are questioning it I would say don't get it, plenty of fabrics about that you probably won't be second guessing!

Yeah the faux innocence on this thread is laughable. As are the "your house, your choice hun" comments.

I'm not buying this thread at all and doubt op has any intention of using that fabric all over her sofas. I think it's deliberately goading a reaction.

Why on earth choose that image when there are literally hundreds of other different patterned fabrics available in those colours? And then post pictures of it on a public forum (and not engage in any sort of discussion afterwards?).

I personally think to be actively offended by it would be a bit dumb... Looks like the sort of fabric you'd get for a kids duvet set, or curtains, or something.

Is it really any worse than fabric portraying someone in a kilt, or a soldier in a bearskin hat? shrug

To me, it's just a cute little cartoon character... I understand cultural appropriation etc, but - to my mind at least - that refers to people actually dressing up as a culture they are clearly not part of. I don't think it applies to cartoons.

I don't see anything wrong with it, just ugly material

No offence, op

It's a horrible fabric but not remotely offensive though the professionally offended on here seem to think otherwise.

I wouldn't even think about it in that way. I just wouldn't buy it because it is really horrible. Sorry.