“‘Native’ Hobbyism is Modern Day Colonialism”-My article at CBC

I was recently invited to write a counter-point essay for CBC, following my participant in the CBC.Docs documentary that premiered in January 2018 on Canadian television. Last July in Berlin, I  sat down with indigenous writer Drew Hayden Taylor on his search to understand why so many Germans choose to appropriate native cultures and/or dressing up and pretending to be “Indians”. The article was published on January 26th, ‘Native Hobbyism’ is Modern Day Colonialism. and specifically discusses how the effects of such practices, especially on Natives living in Germany, are overlooked by both non-natives and natives, which we explore in our own documentary, “Forget Winnetou”, which premiered in Germany in February 2018.

“Indigenous North Americans who live abroad often deal with rejection from relatives who only support or recognize those who choose to live in North America. They report negative experiences such as abandonment, disrespect of their heritage and lack of cultural support. This trauma leads to depression, anxiety and frustration because Indigenous living in Europe can’t simply be themselves.”

#Documentary Screening on February 11th at Historic Delphi Theater in Berlin!

On 11 February 2018, the documentary Forget Winnetou! Loving in the Wrong Way (formerly Going Beyond Native Stereotypes in Germany) makes its screening debut at the historic Delphi Theater in Berlin. Advanced tickets are now available through the Delphi’s website, and we would love to see you there! Deutsch version is below, and you can read more about film details at its IMDb page.

PROGRAM

16:00-16:20 Introduction to panelists and a Q& A
16:20-16:30 A short Documentary “Reclamation”
16:30-17:45 Forget Winnetou!

“What does a world look like that respects indigenous peoples, that’s working to end racism and colonialism on a global scale?” A part of that is stopping stereotyping, and Native stereotypes are some of the most pervasive and recognized, but most don’t know their origins or the real harm they do.

“Winnetou”, the still popular American Indian character created by German author Karl May in the 19th century is a symbol of Native stereotypes, of lingering racism & colonialism: the self-bestowed privilege of taking and using whatever you want, even living peoples, for self-gratification. Intentional or not, these attitudes and behaviors continue the cycle of genocide, and can be harmful to everyone, no matter their ethnicity.

Most films on similar topics concentrate only on Native experiences in North America, but through discussions with Natives living in or having visited Germany, the correction of Eurocentricized history & insight on German society, we’ll present why these stereotypes and practices must end: in Germany and worldwide. While some may minimize the effect or harm of stereotypes, they are evidence of much deeper societal issues of injustice, inequality and inequity many countries now face.

Germany is a microcosm of struggles taking place across the world both against and for decolonization, for correcting white privilege and supremacy that’s divided and helped destroy our world. Stereotypes were created to keep themselves in power…and others under their control.

The documentary will utilize live-action scenes, interviews and animated sequences illustrating the theme, and provide an unforgettable, educational experience. Native speaking for themselves, representing themselves, and showing the world their variety, complexity and indomitable spirit.

Deutsch

“Wie könnte eine Welt aussehen, die indigene Völker respektiert, die daran arbeitet, Rassismus in einem globalen Rahmen zu ende? Es müsste damit beginnen, die stereotype Wahrnehmung indigener Völker zu beenden; diese ist weit verbreitet und anerkannt, wie kaum eine andere, aber die meisten Menschen kennen weder deren Ursprünge, noch den tatsächlichen Schaden, der durch sie angerichtet wird.”

Karl Mays beliebter Pseudo-Indianer hat die tatsächliche indigene Bevölkerung jahrzehntelang falsch dargestellt und damit einer weit verbreiteten Aneignung und Ausbeutung indigener Kulturen den Weg bereitet. Menschen indigener Herkunft sind willkommen, jedoch eigentlich nur, wenn sie die Klischees erfüllen.

Auch in Nordamerika sind sich viele Menschen indigener Herkunft nicht bewusst, dass die Stilisierung als Maskottchen in Deutschland lediglich die Kehrseite tiefgreifender Probleme ist, die sich als systematischer Rassismus, Polizeigewalt und Ungerechtigkeit gegenüber Minderheiten darstellen, selbst wenn indigene Bilder, Kulturen und sogar Knochen den Europäern als Genugtuung dienen.

Deutschland repräsentiert als Mikrokosmos all die Kämpfe die weltweit sowohl gegen die Dekolonisierung als auch zu ihren Gunsten stattfinden, zu Gunsten einer Abschaffung der Privilegien und der Vormachtstellung der Weißen, die unsere Welt in Lager gespalten und dabei geholfen hat, sie zu zerstören. Stereotype wurden erfunden um den Weißen die Erhalt ihrer Macht zu sichern….und andere unter Kontrolle zu halten.
Es befindet sich derzeit in der Postproduktion und wird Live-Action-Szenen, Interviews und Newsclips mit kurzen animierten Sequenzen kombinieren.