September 21st, 2015 Last Updated on: September 21st, 2018
One of our readers brought this singer to our attention and we thought you might find his choice of headgear very interesting. His name is Richie Giese and his musical project is Social Repose, listed under the Electronic Dance Pop genre. Now this post isn't about his music, it's about his outfit and why he chooses to wear this headdress. It seems that many people have approached him about the headdress, saying that it was offensive to Natives and he shouldn't be wearing it. So many in fact that he feels the need to justify his use of the headdress in this video.
Take a listen below:
Why I choose to wear the headdress (and whys its ok).Share this with your franzzz
Posted by Social Repose on Saturday, August 1, 2015
So it seems that he has made up his mind and is not budging on the issue. He's even selling t-shirts to his fans that have a cartoon version of his likeness with the headdress on, so I'm assuming he's not taking this off any time soon. What would you say to him if you met up with him in person? Feel free to sound off on his fan page at https://www.facebook.com/SocialRepose
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I don’t find a reason why people are complaining about wearing a headdress. It’s her choice if she wears a headdress of anything else which she likes.
As a half native, while I do 100% understand why some people are frustrated with the headdress, I’m not offended in the slightest, while I’m not currently connected too my heritage and that may discredit my opinion, I do believe it may be more constructive to have an open heart with this man an reach out and give him opportunities too give back to our communities and reach a middle ground, someone with as much of a following as he has could be a great opportunity too expand the knowledge of our culture too the masses. I’m of the opinion that we can all wear what we choose, regardless of heritage, sharing or borrowing from cultures/creating cultural melting pots is important for all of our futures.
Nice Blog and very informative !!!!!!
Thanks for the sharing.
Very impressive blog and the information you have shared also very interesting.
I think that what this boils down to is basic respect for culture and how an item is used. Social Repose is not giving back to the culture he is borrowing from. He is not respecting the history behind the images he wears and sells. If he was, there might be a different feeling. He uses the images in a stereotypical way, which is damaging and disrespectful to Native groups. The war paint, dream catchers, and cheesy purple headdress perpetuates the stereotype that Native scholars and activists have been working to reduce for decades: the savage and the noble savage. African Americans have worked hard to stop negative stereotypical images, like watermelons and overemphasized body parts, to address racism. The headdress and war paint of Social Repose is no different.
Social Repose is one of many who have done this, nothing edgy about his actions. Just sad. Before someone uses and sells images in the way Social Repose is, they should read a history book become educated on the death and destruction these images can perpetuate. If he addressed any of this history, he might gain some respect among Natives and non-Natives who work against this cultural scamming. He should call himself ‘Social Repulse’ and be embarrassed instead.
I don’t see why everyone fusses over his head dress. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m part Native American, and I’m not offended by it, and I’m pretty sure other Native Americans aren’t offended by it either. It doesn’t matter what he wears. If that’s how he wants to dress let him. It’s really none of our business what he does or what he wears. It’s his business. I know there will be people who will judge him for what he wears. I wouldn’t judge him, because it’s wrong. Plus he looks really cool in that attire. Keep being you Richie, and don’t let the haters get to you. You Rock!! 🙂
So sad…….as people we have digressed (is that a word?) to lower than dirt slinging…..it truly saddens me to see people b so angry, uncaring, ugly , insensitive, etc……I was raised in the “baby boomer” generation, which has its good and bad traits…….on one hand we have the peace generation thought line….but on the other it seems as though we have become the “its all about me and mine” way of thinking………….maybe we should go back and “Give Peace A Chance ! “…….sounds to good to b true, huh ?
All the triggered people here stfu
incredible. look at the amount of obvious non-native people coming to this site meant for native people and telling them how they should feel. what an extraordinary amount of disrespect for native americans. native people deserve so much better.
I feel that even though it’s fake, it’s still an insult to our Native brothers and sisters. I do feel that feathers are earned and blessed, by each tribe. I don’t care what he may think that he’s doing – it’s still insulting. Even as today, growing up meeting Native American Indians (as I call my friends) I think those old tv shows cowboys and Indians are insulting, because there was no real Natives in that. Except The Lone Ranger, (Tonto)