Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Standing up against Stereo Typing

I have reluctantly watched television at times and see the stereo typing of many races of people and of their culture.  

 

The African American people were able to finally deter many of their portrayals in the media but I do not think there has been very much "standing ground" overall amoung the Native American people as represnted in the media, and what is mentioned usually involves the word "casino".  

 

I do not mean that as a people we have not protested the abuse and use of the Native and their lands, but there are times that a certain commercial and of "native" portrayal or culture will just bother me as the following letter states that I sent to Subway today.  

 

Dear sirs,  

 

I have never taken the time to write with my concerns related to television commercials until now.  

 

I am one quarter Seminole. I am also an army "brat" and lived in Alaska for four years with the Eskimo people which also happen to be Native American.  

 

The commercial that you have advertising the "hot" subway sandwich being delivered to an igloo with what are supposed to be an Eskimo family portrays what appear to be a people of Asian or Oriental dissent and not of the Native American Eskimo people and or of their living conditions in Alaska.  

 

Both portrayals are incorrect and offensive. I request that you portray all races of people with their correct heritage and that you portray their society as it is without the stereo types. Eskimo's do not "live" in snow Igloos nor do they look Oriental or Asian.  

 

Thank you.

www.subway.com

 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

((((Osiyo my friend))))....I was pleased to read this entry.....I am cherokee/Lakota and fight against the stereo typing of all Native American Indian people......I get sick when I see that people think we all get money from casinos......I was raised to be very proud of where I came from and I honor that everyday......I agree I saw the commerical and it was what (television) always does protray Native American Indian people as what they think we should look like or should be in their eyes......(Like the old Hollywood movies) thank you for sharing your letter.......also they should know.....That the INUIT people never liked being called "Eskimos".....in fact that name came to them by europeon explorers who gave them that name......Meaning "Flesh eatters".......again wado for your entry I enjoyed reading.....dohiya to you and many blessings my friend
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