Redskin Magazine
Jeanne Svhiyeyi Aga Chadwick
February 2, 2008
A new First Nation's company which proudly proclaims itself as a "Globally Indigenous Company" has chosen a very demeaning name to most American Indians and First Nations People. Redskin Magazine. Its owner and operator, Jody Martin Matthew Hill, a member of the Tuscaro Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations, of the Grand River, called me a racist when I wrote on his blog at My Space, letting him know what my opinion is of his choiceof a name for his magazine.
Racist? Don't you have that wrong Jody? But then again, an owner and operator of such a magazine should first learn how to spell racist correctly and then he may begin to understand how racist his magazine really is to all native people. (in his letter to me spells it as "rasists comments like mine." Copy of letter here
On the front cover of the magazine, it proclaims "Our people have accepted the colonial perception of the words "red" and "skin" as something to be ashamed of. Hundreds of years have now passed and it's time we educated ourselves against blinding racism."
We at RSM support our women whom fight for rights while hanging a poster of a hot indian man on their wall..."
Not only are you racist Jody against your own people, but in my opinion, add sexism in there as well. Hundreds of First Nations women have been murdered and no one cares, law enforcement has done little to nothing to find out what happened to these women, who is responsible for the killings. Don't you read the news? How dare you compare your skin magazine to the efforts of hundreds of native people who put their lives on the line fighting for life - equality, justice and the true rights of all First Nations and American Indians.
Maybe if you spent some time with "real" native women like
Kahentinetha Horn, of the Mohawk Nation News, or Hazel Hill and all the Clan Mothers who stood together in solidarity to hold title to their lands, land that the government of Canada continues to attempt to steal from its rightful owners. These are real women - women of substance, how dare you even suggest your magazine is comparable to any type of indigenous struggle!
The women I have named above are Mohawk women, but I do not want to give the impression that there are not hundreds of American Indian and First Nations women who are strong and have worked very hard for their nations and their people to make a better future for their families and to set an example of pride for their children.
Suzan Shown Harjoy is well known for her work to change the name of the Washington Redskins, along with the support of many others. This is an excellent link for discussion and history pertaining to this word and how it impacts upon native people. Take the time to read it Jody and for others, I encourage the same - so you will become educated and understand why so many people find your choice of your magazine's name shocking, especially since it is the creation of a First Nations person:
Redskins - Bluecorn Comics
I also urged Jody to listen to Rev Goat Carson's ballad, "Redskins" Redskins. I honestly do not know how any human being can listen to this and not cry for the horrible inhumanity of what was done to our Ancestors. I can't listen to it very often myself. However, I do believe that these things must be taught - known and understood to put an end to this hatred of human beings who are different than others and to remember the long and dark history and to prevent it from ever happening again.
It's the same with the Holocaust - we can never forget what took place no matter how many years ago that it happened. It was a horrible time in history - brutal - the planned, genocide of a people simply because of their religious beliefs. We cannot forget either, those who were tortured and murdered because they were mentally ill or physically ill, Gypsies, Jehovah Witnesses - anyone who differed from this perfect race Hitler envisioned.
Man's inhumanity to man. We refer to animals as "beasts" but animals do not do this to one another - only the two-footed animal, the most intelligent (supposedly) does these things.
Jody identifies his magazine as an "adult" magazine and while I personally feel the use of women as sex objects, is degrading, I also can understand why young beautiful women would want to be models - although in my way of thinking, there is a huge difference between modeling a clothing line, etc., and exposing one's body for the sex industry. Let's face it, sex sells - it makes a lot of money for people, mostly men and it has destroyed the lives of thousands. It has given birth to a sex slave trade that is global, involving the kidnapping of innocent young women who are easily fooled into thinking they will become models with the exciting lifestyle and riches they will receive by modeling. Legitimate models do earn a lot of money - many become involved in the movie industry and become famous. But these women deal with legitimate modeling agencies.
Of course, we have many beautiful native women. This year's Miss America, is an American Indian. There is no shame in beauty - but we are not here on this earth only to be looked at for our physical beauty. We all have a purpose in this world, to live a good life and to do many things that will make us stronger, better and will set a good example for the young native women of today.
Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but I was raised to believe that self-respect and who we are as human beings is far more important than what we look like - it's our physical bodies and to quote Judge Judy who I think everyone knows, "beauty fades, but dumb is forever!"
It is far more important to get a good education and to do good in this world and to give something back that is good and will strengthen our tribal nations, rather than to bear our breasts for the pleasure of men and others.
But the main point of this article is the term Redskins, a name chosen by a First Nations man for his worldly magazine. How much respect is he showing for our people, our Ancestors and women - the lifegivers, who native men are or should be raised to respect, protect and admire?
Take a look at this magazine, although I've noted that Jody is not so open with it at My Space as he was prior to our exchange. I am glad to see that Jody has been busy rewriting his view on redskin on his magazine - ummm maybe he has been listening. (screenshot available upon request). Maybe he has taken some time to think about what this term means - you check it out and make up your own mind about it. If you have an opinion, let him know - if you'd like to leave an opinion here, please feel free to do the same. Mail to: Opinions on name of magazine - February 08
Or contact the magazine directly and let them know what you think:
Redskin Magazine
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February 2008 News Reports
Last updated on February 2, 2008