Thread by @mariahgladstone

Alright, thread time. I've spent too much time arguing with racists today and my energy would be better spent organizing my thoughts. Re: headdresses and why only certain people are allowed to wear them. (Spoiler: it doesn't have to do with being Native) 1/

For the purposes of this thread, I'm going to use headdress and warbonnet interchangeably. The most easily recognizable style comes from Plains tribes (Lakota especially), though Blackfeet traditionally had a "straight-up" headdress (more tubular). Examples below 2/

Other tribes had head wear that featured feathers (Haudenosaunee gustoweh comes to mind) but none are copied half as much as the first style. With that in mind, we can get into the weeds. 3/

To really understand what the problem is with randos wearing headdresses, it's importance to understand their significance. While some people see warbonnets as "exotic Native American hats," they carry real significance and only certain people are allowed to wear them. 4/

Some people HATE being told they can't wear something (me included, generally). However, headdresses function much more like Medals of Honor (a comparison I make frequently), diplomas, or the letters you attach to your name after graduation (I see you, PhDs). 5/

As you are probably realizing, headdress privileges are only given after someone has had significant accomplishments. That's not a call that you can make for yourself, it has to be transferred to you by community members (societies that decide this vary by tribe). 6/

While some tribal nations traditionally only allowed men this type of honor, other tribes (like Blackfeet, hollah!) had women's headdress societies. Regardless of who is wearing it, you can be assured they were regarded as great leaders. 7/

The concept of wearable tokens of honor is not limited to Plains tribes, of course. The military is filled with examples of this (hence the Medal of Honor comparison). To wear someone else's medal is stolen valor. Most folks generally agree that is disrespectful. 8/

And YET, even with simple comparisons, there are many who refuse to grasp why headdresses on folks who haven't earned them is contemptuous.
Ok, I'm going to try to add yet another layer. If you're still with me, thank you. 9/

For some reason that I've yet to figure out, it seems that the majority of times this occurs, the headdresses are being used as props for women in bikini/nude photoshoots. There is a unique confluence that occurs in these situations... 10/

The first factor, I've detailed: stolen valor, misrepresentation of earned honors. I think we have that one down.
The second factor is more tricky to navigate, especially since I want to clarify that I believe women have the absolute right to be proud of their naked bodies. 11/

However, adding a headdress triggers an immediate connection to Indigenous people. Unfortunately, Native women (myself included) must navigate this one-dimensional and non-consensual sexualization of our identities. 12/

It's hard for me to make comparisons in this case because I think it's hard to empathize if you've never experience this directly. That said, the statistics about sexual assault reflect a scary reality for Native women. 1 in 3 Native women will be raped in our lifetimes...13/

We are 250% times more likely to be raped or sexually
assaulted than women in the USA in general. If you really want to know more, here's a grim examination: 14/ nytimes.com/2012/05/23/us/…

I also think that #MMIW is a topic worth mentioning in this. Native women have come to be viewed by traffickers as targets. Couple that with law enforcement's lack of response and you have the epidemic we are facing today. 15/

While the women who don headdresses for their photoshoots get to capitalize on our fetishization, we have to live with the repercussions. We aren't mad when non-Natives look hot, we are distressed at the implications the imagery has on our Native selves.16/

What is the goal of this whole thread then? Hopefully to help some folks gain a better understanding of the issues at hand. Perhaps just for me to type out the thoughts that have been swimming through my head. 17/

I want to wrap up with a brief discussion of some of the defenses I hear for this behavior and clarify why they are incorrect or don't apply. 18/

The number one excuse I see is that someone "is Native American" has "a Native ancestor." These excuses tend to be vague and don't even cite a specific nation. Regardless, look to the beginning of this thread: if you haven't earned a headdress, you don't get to wear one. 19/

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm Native (Pikuni on my dad's side, Tsalagi on my mom's). Being Indigenous is not enough to permit me to wear a headdress. In fact, you don't have to be Native to earn headdress rights. 20/

Many non-Native leaders have been allowed to wear headdresses because Indigenous people granted that. Whether I personally agree with whom specific nations choose to honor is irrelevant..but hey, I don't get to choose who gets medals of honor either. 21/

Sometimes, people will even try to defend their behavior by claiming a specific nation (probably Cherokee). Besides the fact that Cherokee didn't even wear headdresses, I don't think you should whip out some vague (unconfirmed) Indigenous ancestor to shield your bad behavior 22/

Occasionally, I'll hear "it's just a costume, it's not that serious." And I get it, cool looking feathers, amirite? No amount of my twitter rambling is going to make you respect symbols from cultures you don't respect. 23/

However, if you only acknowledge items of honor and significance from your own cultural background, you're exhibiting classic supremacist behavior. "It's not that serious" translates to "Native cultures aren't valid and don't deserve my respect." 24/

If nothing else, I hope you learned something from this thread (or were nodding vigorously). In summary, take the sexiest damn photos you want, but please leave the headdresses on the shelf or on those who earn them. 😘 25/

There's a typo here: 250% is equal to 2.5 times. I accidentally said both % and times, whoops.