Pretendians and Hollywood

 In lieu of the Golden Globes last night, it seems fitting that Tiffany Midge writes so much about representation, stereotypes, and racism in Hollywood. Particularly in parts VII and VII, Midge exposes pretendian culture and type-cast and stereotypical roles for Native American actors in Hollywood.  

According to Urban Dictionary (a reliable source) a pretendian is “every white person in America who claims to be ‘part’ Native American” (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pretendian). This phenomenon was new to me as my prior knowledge consisted only of racial passing, specifically the story of Rachel Dozlezal. I knew of white actors like Taylor Lautner and Johnny Depp playing Native American roles but was unaware of their pretendian claims. Midge helps clear this up in stories like “You Might be a Pretendian” in which she provides a checklist of ways to tell if you are a pretendian including: “You might be a pretendian if both of your parents emigrated from Germany” and “You might be a pretendian if you burn to a crisp in ten minutes of strong moonlight” (135-136). In other words, you are a pretendian if you are white and pretending not to be! Of course, Midge’s wry humor is the perfect medium for solidifying the problematic nature of white people not only appropriating Native American culture, but literally disguising themselves as Native American people. Midge is able to approach these serious topics in between lines of humor. For example she writes, “I asked Rachel Dolezal – aka Ms. Eagle Nebula – if she was aware that pretendians present a real and present danger to the integrity of the Native American communities because they usurp authentic Native voices and dilute, cheapen, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes” (124). In regard to Midge’s audience, it’s apparent that she is writing to readers who understand the implications behind pretendian culture which as she puts it is “a mysetery akin to the Egyptian tombs, the Bermuda Triangle, and the Lost City of Atlantis” (125).  

In relation to pretendians, Midge opens up the chapter “Reel Indians Don’t Eat Quiche” with “Hollywood needs to stop stereotyping Native Americans” (139) which is a true statement. But in Midge fashion, she goes on to be satirical and sarcastic, applauding directors for the stereotypical roles and complaining that Native Americans are pigeon-holed into playing “white” roles, which is obviously not the case.  By using this explicit form of humor, Midge reveals the racism in Hollywood and lack of representation due to stereotyped casting. For example, her joke about Gilmore Girls is clearly to point out that a Native American actor would not be considered for Rory’s role. Midge’s commentary on Hollywood relates to the problems within the industry and specifically the disputes occurring over the HFPA for having not a single Black member as well as picking films due to personal interests and incentives. There is such a long history of racism and stereotyping in Hollywood without reparations. Whiteness and white stories are considered the default while underrepresented identities are categorized as “other” and exploited in stereotypical roles.