Part 1: I was wondering if you could please help me answer a question. I'll preface by saying, I understand you are not of Mohawk ancestry, but you have lots of fabulous native followers who may be able to help me. I live in a predominantly white & abundantly privileged area, where most of the kids play lacrosse. First of all, is playing lacrosse cultural appropriation? It is one of our national sports, but does that matter? Question 2, (in next ask)
Asked by Anonymous
Part 2 about lacrosse is: during playoffs a lot of the boys tend to shave their hair into Mohawks. I have the opinion that it is appropriation & offensive. I compared it wearing blackface, to my friends. they even play against teams from the local reservation, so it seemed more rude. The parent’s argument is, “the kids from the reservation do it, and they aren’t Mohawk” or “it’s a tribute to the founders of the game”. Can I please get some native opinion on the matter! Thanks!
It is not really my place to answer this; but without further information I would say that playing a sport wouldn’t be cultural appropriation, but that wearing one’s hair in a way in attempt to dress up/become another culture and/or race would be. Can y’all help us out on this one?