Keep America Beautiful PSA: The Crying Indian

[Wetzelbill]

Run time: 00:59 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM   Posted on YouTube: May 01, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 10, 2008 By DU Member: Wetzelbill Views on DU: 1364

 
This was mentioned in another thread today, I thought I'd post the video here for you all. A classic PSA.

[Sequoia]

1. This was on The Daily Show (or that other one after)

where they did a video skit of "It's alright to cry, it might make you feel BETTER" where they showed crying presidents and them the Native American in the end. (Who, by the way was Italian, but the NA's said it didn't matter because at least he was speaking for them.) This commercial came on the 1970s and was very popular and got people to really thinking and wanting to do something.

[Wetzelbill]

2. it does and it doesn't matter

For the purpose of the commercial, yeah that's fine, but the idea that an Italian is playing an Indian, pretty touchy subject.

[JuniperLea]

4. I think it's more like...

Iron Eyes Cody built his whole career on looking like an American Indian... seems utterly fraudulent to me! Still, I understand why no tribe wanted to take that on. The message was powerful, and helpful. Didn't Nixon start the EPA?

[ieoeja]

6. Not only not "take that on", the Cherokee Nation gave him citizenship.

So he became a naturalized Cherokee.

[JuniperLea]

12. I'd heard the same thing...

But was fed my head here on DU for saying it... perpetuating a myth I was told.

:shrug:

[Wetzelbill]

7. Yeah I think he did

start the EPA.

Iron Eyes Cody is interesting because he did marry and Indian woman and adopted Indian children. I think he later claimed having some Indian heritage. In many ways it is fraudulent, but I personally look at something like his career, as a failure for producers and other filmmakers to put Indians in roles. Like my brother was in a commercial about ten years ago, and he said the guy who played the lead Indian was Italian. Not Indian at all. If I get to make the film that I want, I want Indians playing Indians, without a doubt. I'm Blackfeet, so I want it to be seen through an Indian POV too.

[JuniperLea]

13. Indians playing Indians!

What a concept! I wholeheartedly agree!

[AnneD]

10. Yes...

it was Iron Eyes Cody (which makes it very powerful) and yes-Nixon started the EPA. But that's when Republicans were still Republicans.

Edited to add that I loved Chief Dan George (he cracked me up)and was touched by Will Sampson's performance esp One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. He had integrity.

[JuniperLea]

14. I love Will Sampson!

What a powerful performer! I played "Nurse Cratchit" in a local equity waiver summer rep performance of that play... I'm still stunned whenever I hear "Juicy Fruit"... unbelievable.

[Sequoia]

5. Ho, ho...you need to watch some old B&W westerns then

Where white guys play Indians. Or about when white guys pretend to be Chinese And I've need seen the play, "The Mikado" with Japanese people either.

[Wetzelbill]

8. oh I have

those are so ridiculous, haha.

[Sequoia]

15. Especially when you can see the edge of the brown make-up!

At any rate in those old western I was for the Indians and got upset if a horse got hurt. I never rooted for John Wayne.

[zanne]

11. YUP!

I was in college in the early 70's and we studied things like global warming. Then, just like that, concern for the earth died, only to be resuscitated 30 years later. 30 years too late?

[polichick]

3. Thanks for posting this...

When I was a little girl the polluted river in my town made me cry ~ so when this ad came out I was so happy to know that other people got it.
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GET OUT THE VOTE! http://www.cafepress.com/powerboutique

[Wetzelbill]

9. you're very welcome

Thanks for sharing your little story. :)