Amhran nam Bandia: Protest MTV's "Cowboys and Findians" - Sunday 6/6

Monday, May 31, 2010

Protest MTV's "Cowboys and Findians" - Sunday 6/6 - Los Angeles

The email, phone, letter and new media protest against MTV's racist show, The Dudesons in America: Cowboys and Findians, has resulted in only minor concessions from MTV.

They pulled the episode from the web, but are still airing it in reruns on MTV2. Out of the many people who have written in protest, only AIM Santa Barbara has received a response - a rather bland and vague note from AJ Sarcione, the Senior Publicist for the show:

From: Sarcione, AJ - AJ.Sarcione@mtvstaff.com
Subject: RE: MTV & the Dudeson
To: "Aim Sb" - aimsb@ymail.com
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 1:51 AM

Michael,

We appreciate your recent feedback regarding “The Dudesons In America.” It is never MTV's intention to offend anyone. The series is about creating lighthearted humor, that at times, could integrate various themes as part of the overall stunt or prank. We take viewer feedback very seriously and thank you for reaching out.

Sincerely,
AJ Sarcione
Senior Publicist, MTV

Members of AIM, BICONA, and others have continued to try to explain why this show is offensive, and have invited Mr. Sarcione to meet with them, but there has been no further response from Mr. Sarcione or any other MTV executives. The deadline is tomorrow, and there has been no indication that the demands will be met. So plans are proceeding for a full boycott of MTV, VIACOM, all of their sponsors, and protests at their doorsteps.

This coming Sunday, June 6, there will be a protest at the MTV Movie Awards. The show starts on Sunday, June 6 at 9 p.m. ET, at the Gibson Amphitheatre - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA - so the red carpet show will probably begin at about 3 p.m. Pacific.

AIM SB Press release about the protests

Facebook page for the protests

This is COMMUNITY ACTION ! Grassroots at its finest! WE'RE SEEKING EVERYONE OF ALL RACES, IN EVERY COUNTY OF AMERICA (ESPECIALLY LOS ANGELES COUNTIES) WHO CARE ABOUT AMERICAN INDIAN ISSUES!!!

BICONA (Black Indian Confederacy Of North America) is looking at organizing a protest with the Santa Barbara and the Los Angeles chapters of The American Indian Movement (AIM), against MTV because of their blatant disrespect for Native culture in their "Cowboys and Findians" episode. BICONA and AIM are looking for others to join in on the mission.

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Gaelic Polytheism, Cultural Preservation, Indigenous Solidarity

Occasional musings from one of the original troublemakers behind the contemporary Gaelic Polytheist (GP) (Gaelic: Ioma-Dhiadhachd Ghàidhealach; Irish: Ildiachas Gaelach) and Celtic Reconstructionist traditions. Allegedly the person to blame for that unwieldy, awkward, misinterpreted and misrepresented, umbrella tradition name (CR), and most definitely to blame for the Nigheanan nan Cailleach agus Ora nam Bandia branches of the community.

Clann Eóghainn na h-Oitrich, NicAoidh, agus Eóganachta. Tha mi a fuireach ann Wabanahkik. Co-còrdadh: Gä•sweñta’.

While my family culture growing up was predominantly diasporan Gael (Irish/Scottish-American), and my low BQ gives me white skin privilege / passing privilege, I also have Indigenous heritage from both Turtle Island (Yę Iswąre tatene utkéware hęwu) and Sápmi, as well as cherished African-American ancestors who survived the Middle Passage and the Underground Railroad. I am one of the people who has researched Cherokee blood myths to find the hidden truth that so many of us share - Black ancestors who made the excruciating choice to assimilate and pass in order to stay alive after escaping slavery.

As an unenrolled relative, reconnecting with the community we're pretty certain my ancestors are from, I'm a long-term member of several Indigenous-led collectives, active in Indian Country in largely a backup/support role since the 1980s, and in more recent years in interfaith and political work as both a collective member, extended family member, and as a representative of both our GP groups and the descendant crew. I don't presume to steer the canoe, even when I'm another grunt helping paddle one that my cousins, aunties, and adopted siblings have built and are helming. But except for my fellow Gaels and other diverse relatives, I jumped out of the ship over a decade ago. I'd much rather dive deep with the prop-fouling otters, be a shieldmaiden in the metaphorical jet ski clan, and continue my work with the side of the family I live with now, than get back into that rotting colonists' ship... unless it's to sabotage and change the course. Which I've been known to do sometimes.

It's one of multiple ways that my life is lived in liminal zones.

And if it's not abundantly clear, I fully support and unreservedly defend Indigenous Sovereignty: the right of Tribal Nations to determine their citizenship criteria, as well as their right to set the definition of who is and is not Indigenous. Descendants - those of us with documented ancestry but whose ancestors chose to separate from the tribe and live as non-Natives - need to abide by the criteria for Indigeneity set by the Nations we descend from. Even if it's complicated and not what you want to hear. And this applies exponentially if the documentation is iffy. To violate that boundary by trying to claim full Native status - by self-Indigenization - is dishonorable to the ancestors, as well as a violation of hospitality. Real descendants seeking to reconnect need to do so with profound respect, and on the terms set by the living relatives and Elders in that specific culture and community. And if the answer is "No," or "Not that way," to accept that.

I serve on the governing councils of CAORANN and Gaol Naofa; however, all opinions expressed on this blog, and posted elsewhere under my own name on social media, are my own.