Unfortunately, it seems like cultural appropriation is a trend that never goes out of style these days. Most recently, the unflattering “trend” was spotted on Khloe Kardashian at her niece’s, North West, first birthday bash, dubbed “#Kidchella.” The reality star sported a giant Native American feather headdress and posted a photo on her Instagram account of her camped out, meditating in a field, in said war bonnet, next to a small fake tipi. The star captioned her photo with: “Ray of clouds. Chirping of birds. Gurgling of water. Granting desire. One with water. #Kidchella my first Coachella!!!”
In case you’re lost, the feather headdress is a sacred Native American piece only to be worn in a ceremony or by warriors who earned their feathers through certain feats. The war bonnet holds a lot of honor and spiritual importance, and is not to be worn lightly.
The 29-year-old faced the wrath of hundreds of angered fans who took to the comments below her picture to express their disappointment in the star’s decision. One user quotes: “If she is familiar with the culture, she would be aware of the history of the people and their struggles. She would also have an understanding of why such a photo, posted on a social network by a public figure FOR NO REASON is controversial.“
The cultural director of the Redhawk Native American Arts Council quoted to Page Six, stating that Kardashian’s outfit choice is “terrible.” He states: “It’s absolutely terrible that they have no conscience to discontinue to do such things. I just can’t believe she would be that insensitive to think it was OK to wear that war bonnet at a kids’ party … Now you have a celebrity at a kids’ party creating a whole new generation of insensitive thinking.”
Kardashian has yet to comment on the controversy.
