I got very disenchanted because I received a not so nice note via EBay a couple of years ago. I had listed a sweet doll on EBay with the title "Native American Doll". I stated clearly in my listing that I was not Native American and that the title was just descriptive. The doll was simply a product of my imagination and my interpretation of Native American culture. The doll I had listed on EBay had tan skin, black hair, and a super cute dress with petroglyphs on it. She also came with a tiny baby and a cradle board that could be strapped onto her back. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of this beautiful doll any more. Must have lost that file...
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| Warrior doll |
The person who wrote to me said some very unkind things to me. She asked me to take down my listing because it was insulting to her as a Native American. She accused me of steeling from tribal people by creating and selling such a doll. She also told me that it was illegal to list a doll calling it Native American. I don't know how, but somehow she got the idea that I was pretending to be Native American. What?
Now I wish I had never responded to her email. There was simply no reasoning with this person. After a couple of emails, it became clear to me, that she had made it her life's work to hunt down people over the Internet and harass them. She was convinced that I was wrong and somehow hurting Native American people.
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| warrior doll with her baby |
The whole situation left a very bitter taste in my mouth. I never listed such a doll on EBay again. I guess in the end - I let that person win.
I only made one other doll like it, when a mother asked me to make a brave warrior girl for her daughter. The daughter was scared of going to bed. Then the mom read her a book about a brave Indian girl. The Mom wanted a doll to resemble the character in the story. There was a happy ending to this story. The little girl who received the doll was able to sleep with the help of the friend I made for her.
Now I am ready to make another doll in that spirit. I am having fun researching dress styles of the Crow people. I received an amazing photo of the little girl's great grandmother in her traditional Crow dress.
How would you have dealt with such a letter?
4 comments:
You were attacked, and so felt the need to defend yourself. The problem - you did nothing wrong! What if you made an Asian or African American or Guatemalan doll? I think it is wonderful to honor different cultures all around the world. I love your Warrior doll, and just might be needing one soon. Rock On Ulla! Ignore the haters!!!
Thanks, Sara! You are a good friend! Thanks for the kind words.
I agree! I don't think that you did anything wrong. I think that some people just love to hate. They are so full of ugliness that they strike out at anyone. I don't understand people that thrive on such drama. I look forward to seeing your new doll!
I was thinking the same thing, Aimee. I have another friend on my NK team who received a similar letter about a Native American headdress she made. She was told off, too...
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