JOSH MARSHALL SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, 2:34 PM 50669
I’ve been wondering about this for a few days. Scott Brown has made the ‘controversy’ over Elizabeth Warren’s purported Native American heritage a centerpiece of the final lap of the campaign. Indeed, his staffers went so far today as to taunt Warren with “tomahawk chops” mocking her claims.
But at the debate, Brown said this …
“As you know, I think what you’re referring to is the fact that professor Warren claimed she was a Native American, a person of color — And as you can see, she’s not.”
Now that sounds like a great gotcha line. Unless, you know really anything about the modern Cherokee Nation. In colloquial terms at least, most Cherokees, certainly many, “look white.”
So for example, here’s Principal Chief Bill John Baker of the Cherokee Nation.
Here’s perhaps the most famous Cherokee of the 20th century: Will Rogers.
Now, there’s a whole complicated debate about what it means to “look white” and obviously there are different hues of Cherokee in the US today. But I think the examples above speak for themselves. Brown apparently thinks that if Warren were a real Cherokee she’d be over there at the podium with dark-hued skin, war paint and a feather headdress.
Whether Warren was right to claim some level of Indian ancestry or whether she’s credentialed with this or that tribe I don’t really know or care about. But this “she don’t look Indian” line Brown is now basing his campaign on is ignorant to the point of offensive.
JOSH MARSHALL SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, 2:34 PM
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archive...cott_brown.php
Chief Bill John Bakers Statement on the "racist" issue:
The Cherokee Nation is disappointed in and denounces the disrespectful actions of staffers and supporters of Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown. The conduct of these individuals goes far beyond what is appropriate and proper in political discourse. The use of stereotypical “war whoop chants” and “tomahawk chops” are offensive and downright racist. It is those types of actions that perpetuate negative stereotypes and continue to minimize and degrade all native peoples.
The individuals involved in this unfortunate incident are high ranking staffers in both the senate office and the Brown campaign. A campaign that would allow and condone such offensive and racist behavior must be called to task for their actions.
The Cherokee Nation is a modern, productive society, and I am blessed to be their chief. I will not be silent when individuals mock and insult our people and our great nation.
We need individuals in the United States Senate who respect Native Americans and have an understanding of tribal issues. For that reason, I call upon Sen. Brown to apologize for the offensive actions of his staff and their uneducated, unenlightened and racist portrayal of native peoples.
http://www.wcvb.com/news/politics/Fu...5/-/index.html
Keep it up Republicans, you are offending and alienating every person of race, culture and color.. and this is what is causing independents to sway for Obama in those swing states.