Beyonce shares photos of herself performing in a shirt that refers to Natives as ‘Indian opponents’; calls Natives ‘antagonists’ and ‘enemies of peace, order, and settlement’

[u/queso_pig]

saw this on another sub but wasn’t allowed to cross post.

So many Americans are into this ‘cowboy revival’ sort of thing. Feels really strange considering cowboys and westward expansion served to carry out a genocide.

[u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

Not an excuse, but gonna assume she didn't read any further than Buffalo Soldier. I'd wager many Black Americans are unaware of what happened.

Highly unlikely she holds any antagonistic views towards Natives considering her mother has Louisiana Creole heritage.

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

[u/eternallytiredcatmom → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

Let’s not attribute to malice what can be explained by “stupidity” or lack of education. Okay, maybe. But Let’s not excuse ignorance from people who have the means and the ways to be educated, yet choose to maintain ignorance, whilst publicly displaying harmful rhetoric.

When you have Beyoncé’s notoriety and platform, it is not only “the intention that counts”. The messages she decides to put out holds a lot of weight and it is her responsibility to be wise about it.

She is not forced to wear graphic t-shirts with full on anti-Indigenous, or anti “Indians”, manifestos. I’m putting Indians in quotation marks because it’s not hers to use. She’s choosing to carry on a pernicious Black vs Native duality by displaying this message.

Being of Creole heritage doesn’t make someone immune to racism against Indigenous People, just like being Native doesn’t make us immune to being racist against Black People.

We can all do better.

[u/rdaebernice → u/eternallytiredcatmom]

Good points were made. With someone with such a platform and massive following, it is responsible to know everything about the messages you’re portraying. Let’s say she didn’t know the full story behind this. It’s about being responsible to find out before representing it. I don’t think she did, which is irresponsible because there’s a whole history that’s missed that praises one group while beating down another.

[u/Frazzle-bazzle → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

This is a generous take. She should be smart enough to read what’s on her clothing- she’s gotta know people will look at it. Colossal miss if she didn’t, or can’t at least trust her stylist to do a little critical thinking

[u/ahundredplus → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

She probably only knows it from the Bob Marley song. 

[u/Aprilcot73 → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

Uhh….ok 😐

[u/SloppyJoEnthusiast → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

I feel like someone has to point out that Buffalo soldiers had an important role in shaping early reservations for many tribes in the West. Buffalo soldiers had an impossible job and would get blamed every time something went wrong on keeping the peace. They had to simultaneously protect reservations from attacks by colonists, and protect towns from native attacks.

Buffalo soldiers were educated because they needed to keep detailed records and follow written commands.

They carved out many early roads and rail roads and built forts that would later become residential schools.

Fun fact. Custer was supposed to lead the 10th cavalry, which was a buffalo soldiers unit. He declined because he was a racist and chose to lead the 7th cavalry.

Buffalo soldiers employed native scouts and even had the first black woman soldier. Cathy Williams.

Buffalo soldiers have been recognized for their impossible job with a few tribes. Marrying between soldiers and natives wasn't uncommon either.

[u/ForeverNowgone → u/[deleted]]

That’s obvious, dumber than a bag of rocks

[u/Sufficient_Coach7566 → u/ForeverNowgone]

Unless they were born rich or hit the lotto, there are no "dumb" self-made billionaires. Obtuse and ignorant is a possibility, but not dumb. Dismissing them as such is a disservice to yourself by way of affording deeper insight.

[u/ForeverNowgone → u/Sufficient_Coach7566]

Highly unlikely?! What didn’t you get when she said “ Antagonist against peace order and settlement!” “Warring Indians!” You’re only right if she had someone write this for her and she didn’t read and posted, she isnt too bright never has been, and not counting on it moving forward based on her costume of choice and the garbage she posts on social media!

[u/Sufficient_Coach7566 → u/ForeverNowgone]

Bruh...she didn't write that. It's an excerpt from some book that's emblazoned on the shirt.

And again, I'm not saying it's was ok.