Pharrell upsets Native Americans

The July edition of Elle UK is dubbed a "special collector's edition":

One for collectors of culturally insensitive artefacts, apparently, as Native Americans aren't thrilled with Pharrell playing dress-up with their image:

Taino Ray: How can you do something so stupid and disrespectfulll.. you are not a Chief Pharrel.. The eagle feathers are sacred... Even if you are part Native the headdress is off limits... Its for Warriors and people of the plains culture.. You don't have the right to wear that Pharrel... neither does Cher or Emerson Windy... You guys don't get it.... You will learn the hard way by us Natives telling you so...

"Pharrell" has issued a statement through his publicist:

"I respect and honour every kind of race, background and culture. I am genuinely sorry."

How genuinely sorry you believe Pharrell to be is probably going to be a function of how far you believe the words to be genuinely his. It's such a slight 'sorry about that' it suggests more a damage control than actual contrition.

Fortunately for Elle, the magazine comes with a choice of covers this month, and fortunately they didn't get Keira Knightley to do blackface for hers.

Little Big Ban: No Doubt pull video, claims some of their friends are Native Americans

No Doubt have, within the last 24 hours, unveiled a Western-themed video for Looking Hot, pulled it, and issued an apology:

“As a multi-racial band our foundation is built upon both diversity and consideration for other cultures. Our intention with our new video was never to offend, hurt or trivialize Native American people, their culture or their history.

Although we consulted with Native American friends and Native American studies experts at the University of California, we realize now that we have offended people. This is of great concern to us and we are removing the video immediately.

The music that inspired us when we started the band, and the community of friends, family, and fans that surrounds us was built upon respect, unity and inclusiveness. We sincerely apologize to the Native American community and anyone else offended by this video. Being hurtful to anyone is simply not who we are.”

Yes, they might have phrased it slightly differently, but the did slip "some of our friends are Native Americans into their apology.

To be fair to No Doubt, their defence is pretty solid - they've never been the sort of band you'd look at and think "well, the English Defence League would enjoy this" - which just makes the misstep even more bemusing.

Especially if they consulted Native American experts. Which academic in the field would have said "yeah, go ahead and make a pop video in which cowboys fight with 'Indians'. There won't be a problem with that'".