UPDATE May 21, 2014 – This issue has been resolved. Please see the response from ZaraHOME.
Our good friend Saga was doing some online shopping tonight and came upon the Zara Canada website. Zara is an emerging retailer in Ontario. They launched their Zara Canada online in 2013, and opened their flagship store at Yorkdale in Toronto. The Spanish company has hundreds of stores worldwide. As Saga was going through the Zara Home Kids section, she came upon the bedding section. Her reaction, my wife’s reaction and my reaction were all the same.
The “Native American Bedding Set” is the most offensive, stereotypical item I have ever come across. It is on sale at Zara Home Kids.
OMG! That’s unbelievable! Shock! Anger! Sadness! That is patently offensive! Did you have the same reaction just now?
Don’t believe me? Here’s the link. http://owl.li/wUf6u
This “Native American Bedding” set, marketed to parents for their innocent but trendy children, features caricatures of the most negatively stereotypical nature. Cartoon representations of indigenous people in various states of pre-colonial dress, depicted in various activities. The bedding set features totem poles, feathers, drums, Indians dancing around fires, riding horses, complete with headdresses, dreamcatchers, teepees, bows and arrows, tribal symbols and a sacred bird or two.
It absolutely makes sense that this is bedding because it sure seems like some slapping-the-mouth war-hoot, Sal-Mineo-Indian Brave, stereotyping nightmare of unmatched proportions!
To make matters worse, it’s intended for the enjoyment and delight of children. CHILDREN! What in the blazing, banana #&%$ are some people teaching their kids???? It’s mortifying.
I have no doubt in my mind that the kids that grow up with this bedding set will not to have any real respect or appreciation of our beautiful culture or see First Nations as persons, families and nations. They’ll grow up thinking how great it is to “honour” us by wearing their Cleveland Indians ball caps and Washington Redskins NFL jerseys. They will be the same people that debate our rights amongst themselves and write anonymous comments under online newspaper articles. Sadly, they will also raise more kids with the same outlook and regard as their parents who bought them the Zara Native American Bedding set. Don’t let your kids miss out on appreciating various beautiful culture by using bedding sets from Zara. Follow the url mattressmatchers.com/sleep-on-latex-bed-review/ and get the best review on mattresses to be able to make an informed decision.
They don’t realize that we are real people with real feelings. I am a Anishinaabe. Hath not a Anishinaabe eyes? Hath not a Anishinaabe hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons?
My feeling quite hurt right now. I’m have genuine pain lamenting on how far we haven’t really come in 500 years. That there are people in this world that just don’t understand that stereotypes and ignorance of this kind is wrong. That is it hurtful.
I’m envisioning the proud little owner of this sheet set, so happy and thrilled looking at the little Indians playing on his bed-linens. His imagination takes him to a time, long ago, where his little Indian friends danced, in sight of cowboys and buffalo on the great plains. As he readies for bed, he turns to his visiting friend that he invited for a sleepover. It took some time to choose mattress for the guest. A little Anishinaabe, Onkwehonwe, Cree, Mi’kmaq, Dene, or Dakota boy. He might be your son, grandson, nephew, little cousin or the boy next door. He’s proud of his heritage but afraid to say anything – confused about why he’s feeling ashamed…
Something has to be been done. See here.
We have to hold these retailers, manufacturers and designers to account for the decisions they make. This type of imagery no longer has a place in our society. It certainly has no place in our children’s bedrooms.
Don’t just boycott Zara. Let them know how you feel. Write them a letter or e-mail. Stop by the Zara store and voice your concern with the manager. Share this blog post with your friends. Leave a comment. Make it abundantly clear that this kind of stereotypical product is offensive and absolutely not acceptable.
Please write:
Maribel Santos, Managing Director
Zara Canada
200 McGill College Av., Suite 1550
Montreal, Quebec
H3B 4G7
Phone: (514) 868-1516
Fax: (514) 868-1522
Click here to send Zara a note.
