I should think not! For God’s sake I am still not over the shock of this article that I read today about Jessica Simpson. The girl did nothing wrong as far as I can tell. According to myfoxphilly.com a TMZ,com video crew approached her and asked her if she was going to ask for the expensive gift that she gave her former boyfriend Tony Romo back. Reports are that she bought Romo a $100,000 boat for his birthday.
US Magazine reports that Simpson’s response was “Hey, I’m not an Indian giver!”
Now rumor has it that her statement could be considered a racial stereotype because it implies a misconception about honesty. A few of the Native Americans are a bit upset over her saying this. It is reported from hollyscoop.com that once TMZ published what she said people began commenting saying things such as “I am shocked she said that. I didn’t know people still said that.” Comments made on TMZ’s forum were like “She will be apologizing… there is an outrage.”
Another person commented that “I’m a Native American and I cringed when I heard Jessica Simpson comment about us Native Americans. Am I mad? I should be but look at who the comment is coming from.”
Say what? Give me a break. As far back as I can remember that particular phrase has been used anytime someone gives something to someone and then wants to take it back. I can’t begin to tell anyone how many times in my lifetime that I have used that phrase starting out since I was a kid.
Now I am a Cajun but I also am part Indian and I have never thought of that as someone calling an Indian as being dishonest. I honestly do not believe for one minute that Jessica Simpson meant any harm by saying it either.
What is the world coming to? I sure hope they don’t make a big deal out of this. I believe if they do it will be something clearly taken out of context. She shouldn’t be blamed for saying anything wrong, but of course this is just my opinion.
Jan Barrett
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6 users commented in " Did Jessica Simpson Mean It To Be a Racial Thing? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI’m just wondering what Jessica’s reaction would be if someone responded to a question by saying, “What do you think I am? A dumb blonde?” I do not intend any offense to Ms. Simpson and I bet she’d laugh not get insulted.
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think insults are too. It’s certainly a good idea for us all to give more thought to what we say these days - and to be considerate of everyone - but it is difficult. There are lots of words and sayings that originated a century or more ago and many of us don’t know how or why they originated. Their meaning is totally separate – in the speaker’s mind –from the reason they were coined.
I am sure she did not mean any offense to Native Americans and I’m sure this is the first time she gave any thought to even connecting the phrase with Native Americans.
Of course, since the phrase is deemed an insult by some Native Americans then we should not use it.
I think it’s perfectly appropriate to point out such a faux pas but kind of overboard to actually be offended or to crucify the nitwit who said it. It makes a mountain out of a mole hill (and now I’ll have a bunch of moles after me I’m sure. LOL! Well, I don’t know where or how that saying originated!)
I just hope that Native Americans and others in a similar position will not take offense at every goof and instead take the opportunity to calmly enlighten the offenders and others.
Jan
I agree that Jessica surely didn’t mean any offense….it was an off the cuff remark…she could have said the politically correct response,”I don’t take back gifts after I have given them.” But she said,“Hey,I’m not an Indian giver!” I think everyone knew she meant the former by saying the later. Give the girl a break and let’s not blow this out of porportion.
m2c
Your comment is very well thought out and makes a good point. In this day and age of political correctness you just never know who will be offended by a comment so it’s best to think things out before speaking….and those who might take offense should step back a moment too and instead take the opportunity to calmly enlighten the offenders and others.
I can’t help but think if Jessica had contemplated her answer before she spoke and gave the politically correct answer the next headlines would be,”Jessica contemplates asking for the $100,000 boat back from Tony.” Sometimes you just can’t win.
It was nothing but media hyteria is making it into an issue.
Interestingly enough, local media is reporting that Romo has given instructions to the security at his gated community as well as the local police that she is not welcome at his home.
This subject has gotten me to thinking about things that people say. Phrases that at least I have no idea how they started.
For example, the term “panhandler.” It’s been used for 100 or more years - and still is - to describe people in the street who are asking for money. But where did that term originate?
Does it really have something to do with pans - like pans with handles? And if so, does it go back to some negative reference about cooks/chefs? Gosh knows there are some vile tempered chefs on TV and in five-star restaurants these days who I do NOT want to tick off. But so far in my research I have not found a direct tie-in between chefs and the term “panhandler.” So maybe that’s safe for now.
Now I’m moving on to the phrase “Indian burn.” Yikes! I’ve found that in some parts of the world it’s called a “Chinese burn.” And it’s a specific type of action or result - taking someone’s forearm with both hands and twisting the flesh both ways. Unfortunately I have personal experience with it since I clearly remember it being done to me when I was a child (but not by a Native American or in any situation involving one). However in my research so far I have not yet found an historical tie-in with Native Americans or Chinese. I’ll keep researching.
Meanwhile if anyone ever needs to describe such an injury or action, it’s probably better to say “someone twisted my forearm.” It’s not as specific but hopefully the doctors will understand and the Native Americans, East Indians, and Chinese everywhere will not take offense.
Now, moving on to the next one. Any suggestions, folks? What other phrases may still be in use that might insult a group of people - even unintentionally? Might as well make a list - or find one - and be sure to eliminate them from everyone’s vocabulary.
seems e1 makes such a big deal out of somethings so small, e1 takes offence to everything its like people wait for someone to say something so they can react!! my daughter is indian and i dont take offence to that and then they put the person who didnt mean any harm by the statment down even worse( look at who the statment is comming from) people today just want to complain and argue and dont forget if a person has $$$$ they will try and sue over a silly statment…im 48 yrs old have heard the statment indian giver all my life and not once have i took it to mean indians wernt honest!! give me a break!! also ive nioticed its ok for one race to make comments about another while if that other race makes comments were predgidus..whatever…and no i dont have spell check!!
Anna, you are correct! I am only 36 and I remember using that phrase too. I think I learned it from The Brady Bunch!!! It’s just a saying! And you are so right that people WAIT for someone to say something and then take it to the extreme! Why are people appalled by the way children and the elderly are treated by the governmental systems that were put in place to protect them? Why aren’t people appalled by the way the President is trying to make our country socialistic? What is wrong with people these days?
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