Arts & Entertainment | Opinion

Column: Stereotypes of Native people can't pass as humor

Monday, May 11, 2015

Loren Anthony, a member of the Navajo Nation, who walked off the set of The Ridiculous Six in protest of its depiction of Native people. Photo from Instagram

Columnist criticizes Adam Sandler for insulting Native American women and culture in The Ridiculous Six:

Let me say up front that I'm a fan of Adam Sandler when he's in movies for grownups. The rest of the time he makes garbage, which, unfortunately, is what "The Ridiculous Six" is.
Some Native actors, including Mescalero Apache consultant Bruce Klinekole, took exception to insulting stereotypes, ignorance and disrespect for Native culture.
It tells you something that I can't fully explore all the offensive material because the content is too raunchy for a family newspaper. The movie Indians are supposedly Apache; in real life Apaches were personally modest and conservative in their behavior. Sandler's Apache women were named Beaver's Breath and Wears-No-Bra and one that's unprintable.
Klinecole's mother was Virginia Klinecole, who bravely ran for president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe in 1959 and won. I knew Mrs. Klinecole. She was a very strong lady. Author Eve Ball once described her this way: "She is intelligent and well-educated; and her friends say she cannot be intimidated." We can imagine what she would have said about this movie.

Get the Story:
Sherry Robinson: Insulting stereotypes, demeaning dialogue can't pass as humor in Sandler movie (The Farmington Daily Times 5/10)

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