A Canadian music festival is asking attendees to please, for the love of God, not wear any Native American headdresses. Save the clueless cultural appropriation for another day. “Feathered war bonnets” and anything that looks like one are now banned. Security will be enforcing the rule.
Besides being a perennial favorite among the fashion set, war bonnets are currently the hottest thing going for clueless white kids attending (and playing, in the case of the Oklahoma governor’s daughter!) concerts in the great outdoors. Also: Khloe Kardashian at “Kidchella.” Despite decades of explanations from Native American activists about why this is totally disrespectful and just plain shitty. Jesus, TAKE A HINT.
Besides, it’s not like you can’t find an umpteen million ridiculous headpieces on Etsy as a replacement.
Well, the Guardian reports that the Bass Coast festival, scheduled for August in British Columbia, has put its foot down. Organizers announced the move in a Facebook post:
“We understand why people are attracted to war bonnets,” organisers said in a statement. “They have a magnificent aesthetic. But their spiritual, cultural and aesthetic significance cannot be separated … Bass Coast festival takes place on indigenous land and … we feel our policy aligns with [aboriginal peoples’] views and wishes regarding the subject. Their opinion is what matters to us.”
Good on Bass Coast, but it’s pretty damn ridiculous this requires a rule in the first place.
Photo via Getty.