I am Cherokee and I believe this is an amazing photo, what I see is a beautiful young woman who respects the Native American tribes. Our tribes are proud, strong and brave with authentic values that live beneath our imperfections. Some of our tribal members are artisans and make these to sell to the “white man,” so why then condemn when we promote the sale… personally my opinion is we are all created equal, we are one nation under God and that includes this whole world so I honor you Christina Fallin for standing up and standing proud when others choose to throw stones… John 8:7
7) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
http://www.kswo.com/story/24915893/gov-fallins-daughter-defends-headdress-photo
http://okc.net/2014/03/07/im-native-american-banned-commenting-cultural-appropriation-pink-pony/
No. This is not okay. This is a racist and genocidal act.
You can buy those things and not wear them. You don’t get to wear stuff because you think it looks cool, or because you think it’s “honoring” Native Americans. Just because you’re Cherokee, doesn’t mean you speak for all 556+ tribes. I don’t care how offended you’re not, it’s disrespectful.
OP if you are Cherokee then you aren’t even from a tribe who traditionally practices the use of the warbonnet, so what gives you the right to give anyone permission to misuse it? You do not have the authority to give anyone consent to wear it.
And just because you claim to be Native American does not mean you speak for all Native peoples, nor can you speak for the tribes who practice the use of the warbonnet. Just because you don’t find it offensive doesn’t mean no one else does.
You, like the woman in the photograph, are promoting racist stereotypes, the desecration of the significance of the warbonnet, and the fetishization of Native women.