A response to the Stereotype of the Month entry on the Authentic Indian Name Generator:

Owen,

>> I was just looking around your site and I do agree that there is definatly alot of disrespect focused toward the Native American peoples and their cultures. But I do think you are going alittle bit too far with the "Authentic Indian Names" generator thing. Its just a joke, and its not supposed to be authentic in anyway. <<

I didn't say the generator was authentic or should be. I realize the "Authentic" in the name is a joke.

The concept of attributing "funny names" to Indians is stereotypical. No more and no more less. Whether you find this concept funny or not is a separate matter.

Minstrel shows were just a joke too. So was "Amos 'n' Andy." I could go on and on. See "It's Just a [Fill in the Blank]" for more.

Psychologists probably could tell you that no "joke" is just a joke. Jokes always have some obvious or hidden point, usual critical. I think those psychologists have a point.

>> I have seen alot of the same kind of things on the web such as "Real Chinese Phrases" aand such, and some of my friends are chinese, but they arn't bothered by it. <<

Whether someone is bothered by something is, again, a separate matter from whether something is stereotypical. Millions of Indians probably have watched Western heroes kill the "redskins" and "savages" without feeling pangs of horror. They're able to discern entertainment from reality. But does that mean Western movies don't portray Indians stereotypically? No.

>> I too get alot of people that make fun of me because I am australian. they say things like "Hey, why did you start the fires in australia?" I don't find that funny at all, in fact, many peoples houses burned in those fires, and I was actualy in australia at the time, and it was no laughing matter, and when I get home, people are laughing and joking about it. <<

This would seem to reinforce my argument, not refute it. When someone makes fun of you—or of something you feel personally about—you're not able to laugh it off. Many Indians feel the same way about stereotypes. Put yourself in their shoes (not moccasins) and maybe you'll see their point.

>> I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I agree that people definatly need to be alot more respectful to the native american cultures and its people, and when I have kids, I am definatly going to teach them to respect all cultures, just like my parents did. <<

Great!

Rob Schmidt
Publisher
PEACE PARTY

Another "it's just a joke" response (9/29/04)
People keep offering this rationalization for stereotyping and I keep shooting it down:

>> One word: Satire. Lighten up, laugh, try really hard to get it. <<

I'm a connoisseur of good satire. This wasn't an example of it.

If you think King was satirizing something, tell me what it was, exactly. We can proceed from there.

My self-appointed job is noting stereotypes, period. If a stereotype is supposedly funny or satirical, I note it anyway. How funny it is and how stereotypical it is are two different and largely unrelated subjects.

I already addressed the "it's just a joke, lighten up" argument on my website. Do you have anything new to add to the debate? Do you have anything to say about the counterarguments I and others have offered?

>> Up here in Canada Tom King is a hugely respected author, academic, photographer, actor and satirist. <<

So? Native people aren't excluded from the contest if they stereotype their own ethnic group. You'll find examples of such stereotyping a few times each year.

In summary, King should learn how to do satire better. I'll be happy to advise him if he asks.

Related links
"Funny" Indian names

Join our Native/pop culture blog and comment   Sign up to receive our FREE newsletter via e-mail   See the latest Native American stereotypes in the media   Political and social developments ripped from the headlines

. . .