Rhianna Carter
Charlie Rose
WR 122: 23584
9 April 2015
The Headdress Issue In July of 2014 Elle Magazine put out a special collector’s edition issue with a photo that quickly stirred up controversy. The cover shows Pharrell Williams a musician and producer wearing a red, white, black and teal stripped sweater. He has a long pear like necklace on with call hints of turquoise. On his head he is wearing a Native American headdress. The headband is beaded with white and other colors in a design that looks like small pyramids. The ends of the feathers attached to the headband are covered with red cloth with yellow ribbons on the tops and bottoms of the cloth. The feathers used are all white with brown tips and the feathers hanging on the side are different colors with a small white feather on top. He is standing in front of an all-white background and looking to the side so the picture is a side profile of his face. Also on the cover are features for various articles. In bold letters below the profile photo it says Pharrell in bold yellow lettering and then exclusive shoot and video. Pharrell Williams is best known as American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo the Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of rock, funk, and hip hop band N*E*R*D. Williams has worked with some of the best artists in the music industry so when he made the jump to fashion he sought out the same level of work associates. Launched in 2005, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream were created by Williams, his manager Robert Walker and Japanese designer Nigo. Well known for its printed hoodies, Williams' apparel is high-end and produced in small quantities. Today you can see the warbonnet everywhere, from costume parties, to sporting events to the runway and now on the cover of magazines. There seems to be many different celebrities and fashion designers trying to recreate the Warbonnet traditionally worn by Native Americans. This is causing quite the controversy resulting in negative feedback from fans and the media to the extremes of those wearing one being called racists and prejudice. Why does this seems to be such an issue? Many non-Natives do not understand why Native people get upset when non-Natives wear faux-tribal headdresses, they symbolize respect, worn only by warriors and Native American war chiefs. Adrienne Keene of Native Appropriations says "Eagle feathers are presented as symbols of honor and respect and have to be earned. Some communities give them to children when they become adults through special ceremonies, others present the feathers as a way of commemorating an act or event of deep significance. Warbonnets especially are reserved for respected figures of power. (ICTNM)” These also are only worn at tribute ceremonies when paying and showing respect. This photo is not paying respect in any way nor is it a scared ceremonial event so yes this is offensive. This issues goes beyond being Native or non-Native. The majority of Natives will never wear a warbonnet or headdress mainly because they must earn it, it’s based on merit not race or heritage of the person. So trying to get others to understand that it is not ok to mock something so sacred to a people and culture is very difficult. Just because you are part-Native American doesn’t mean you can put a war bonnet on. What do you do for Native Americans? What parts of the culture are you involved in? If these are questions you cannot answer then that should give one the reason as to why it is not appropriate to wear headdresses. Pharrell Williams apologized for wearing the headdress writing a statement: “I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture. I am genuinely sorry.” Many accept this apology and move on but this has been a trend among musicians in recent years. Gwen Stefani had to issue formal apologies in 2012 for the
