"Duck Dynasty" Star's Suspension Shows Hypocrisy in Western Settings, by Warren Petoskey

Warren Petoskey

It is nearly 4:00 am. I have been writing these thoughts down for nearly an hour. Just thought I would pass them on.

There has been an uproar ever since Phil Robertson’s statements made the Internet. The A&E Network that hosted “Duck Dynasty” is suspending the Robertson’s patriarch. Arguments pro and con have raced back and forth on several websites and there have been posts asking all of us who use Facebook to hit “like” or “dislike.”

I would like to point out some programming that is no longer available on television, such as “Amos and Andy,” “Song of the South,” and “Little Rascals.” Some decided these programs and a movie were racially insensitive.

Here is where hypocrisy comes into the mix. While many are citing racism and bigotry in Robertson’s statement: No one has said much about the programming on TVLAND. The television western sitcom “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza” are daily viewing fare. AMC shows a host of “how the west was won” movies each Saturday morning.

NO ONE SEEMS TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTINUOUS REFERENCES ON THESE WESTERN SITCOMS OR MOVIES TO THE TERMS “SQUAW” OR “BLOODTHIRSTY SAVAGES!” FUNNY AND YET, NOT SO FUNNY, HOW THAT WORKS!

“Amos and Andy” and “Song of the South” were removed long ago for their racial insensitivity, but those programs who continue to broadcast dialogue and images that are insensitive and appear racist to us remain.

When we, American Indians, make a public issue out of fracking, the mascot issues, or the racially insensitive cartooning, we are considered just a small contingent of the disenchanted. Our complaints are considered minor and contrary to real public opinion.

I also see that the television networks have no problem hosting sitcoms that represent the depravity of humanity. I hear language now on television we use to get our mouths washed out with soap for saying; adult cartooning the represents the spiritual dementia that is nothing more than the broadcasting of pollution.

Hollywood’s hypocrisy reminds of the scripture: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30.

What I see is people straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.

Funny how that works, the hypocrisy and prejudice when it comes to being consistent in assigning what is racially insensitive and what isn’t—but notreally!

Warren Petoskey is a tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, based in Harbor Springs, Michigan. He authored “Dancing My Dream,” an autobiographic book that depicts overcoming challenges he faced in modern society. He and his wife, Barb, reside in Gaylord, Michigan.

http://nativenewsonline.net/opinion/duck-dynasty-stars-suspension-shows-hypocrisy-western-settings/