Quiz 8: Chapter 6 Short and Essay Questions

Please define the term Cultural Confusion and provide an example from the textbook. 

For Americans, the only form of Native American representation they have ever known derives from misrepresentation. The lack of knowledge about Native Americans does not cause cultural confusion, but instead, the false information that has spread throughout society about Native American Culture. Cultural Confusion is the misrepresentation of a culture that causes confusion within others about the culture itself. People are confused about Native American culture due to the false information spread, causing them to not fully comprehend the culture and can lead to confusion when factual information is presented. An example from the textbook of this is Cher's single "Half-Bred" which is about a young woman who is half Cherokee and half white. The song begins to describe how she's not accepted into either community. While the message in the song is strong, cultural confusion abounds in this song in the combination of Native American-esque sounding music and Cher's performance on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. The video and the song display "wrong Indian" stereotyping with false facts and misrepresentation with the song and the music video visual. Displaying different cultures as one leads to cultural confusion, going along with displaying the idea that "all Indians are the same."

Please define the term Playing Indian and describe how it relates to Singing Redface.

Playing Indian includes recreating and staging Western contact and expansion in the "New World". Playing Indian is recreating and performing as an "Indian character", mostly stereotyped and misrepresented. Rather than being taught about different Native American nations and understanding their different cultures, children are exposed to music and roleplaying that promotes a single notion of Native American identity. Singing Redface is popular in music and reveals a musical stereotype pattern of performance and learned behavior that occurs when non-Native Americans "play Indian" through music. This pattern leads to cultural misappropriation, racial antipathy, idealized sympathy, and cultural confusion about Native Americans and their culture.

Please define the term Racial Antipathy and provide an example. 

Racial Antipathy is a strong dislike towards individuals and groups based on their race. Racial stereotypes are used to put down those of that culture and provide a negative connotation towards those of the race. An example of Racial Antipathy includes the term "Indian Giver." This can be described by John Russell Bartlett as "When an Indian gives anything, he expects an equivalent in return, or that the same thing be given back to him." Though "giver" is seen as positive, the term "Indian" used with it brings it to be used as a negative connotation. It reveals a stereotyped view of Indian trustworthiness and a racist view towards Indians as well.

Please define the term Cultural Misappropriation and provide an example.  

Cultural Misappropriation is the intentional theft of intangible or tangible cultural commodities by an outsider with the intent to be used for economic gain or to intentionally create a stereotype. An example of this is the Tomahawk Chop. It originated at Florida State University and involves the entire audience "singing, acting, and pretending to be a savage Indian warrior." "Chop" is a racist stereotype that comes from a period of extreme racial antipathy and is inappropriate. This misappropriation is used to create that stereotype amongst Native Americans and used for school pride, rather than to actually represent and inform others of the culture correctly.

Please define the term Idealized Sympathy and provide an example from the textbook. 

Idealized Sympathy involves the idea of subject appropriation. Subject appropriation occurs when members of one culture represent members of other cultures. Idealized Sympathy is sympathy shown for Native American culture, revealing the issues of misappropriation within. An example from the textbook is Buddy Red Bow, in which we removes all specifics of Cherokee culture into a positive. He altered Paul Revere & the Raider's version to refer to a different nation with each rendition.  

Choose one musical example and analyze how the music, lyrics, and performance are an example of Singing Redface. Make sure you are describing why your song section is an example of Singing Redface. If a music video or album cover art is available use it to support the thesis of your argument. You can choose a song of your choice or a song that is mentioned in the textbook. Take your time to fully answer this question in essay format. 

A musical example of Singing Redface is Disney's 1953 cartoon feature film Peter Pan, which featured the Lost Boys, who have been mistakenly captured by the Piccaninny Tribe. 

To begin, the Piccaninny Tribe's name was an interesting choice as the term "Piccaninny" was a derogatory term for black children. The trope is disturbing as well with a little black boy whose pants kept falling down and the little black girl with an exposed behind. A ceremony occurs within the film and continues to a song called "What Makes the Red Man Red," which serves as a great lesson on what racist stereotypes are needed in order to perform reface. The animators created a sense of homogenization by drawing Native Americans as they were presented in American Westerns. The tribe's camp displays tipis next to totem poles. Peter Pan is then given the "Indian" name, "Little Flying Eagle" and a war bonnet is placed on his head. Everyone forms a circle and sits on the ground "Indian Style" as a "peace pipe" is passed around the circle. The white characters are dressed as "Indians" wearing face paint, headbands, and feathers. More features of "Indian" clothing and expressions continued on throughout the film, misrepresenting Native Americans.

The music within the film was not authentic as the movie was intended for an audience that was not Native Americans. The music within are songs still used today and thought of as authentically "Indian" music. The most frequently used musical attribute associated with "Indian" music is the drumbeat ONE two three four, being the most inauthentic. This beat is not found in any traditional Native American music. Drums are shown playing with their hands, but the types of drums used would traditionally be played with a mallet.

With the visual and musically representation involved in the movie Peter Pan, it is evident Singing Redface is apparent within the film. "Playing Indian" is seen throughout the film with the other non-Native American characters dressing and portraying false Indian culture. With the music also being inauthentic along with "Playing Indian" and the use of Redface to perceive characters as Native American, this film can be seen as an example of Singing Reface. The film does not represent Native American culture correctly and reveals misrepresentation throughout.