MAC Cosmetics recently released its new summer collection, called Vibe Tribe, and supposedly it's an ode to summer-music-festival fashions and colors. But apparently, MAC didn't realize or just kinda forgot that many people who attend summer music festivals, like Coachella, commonly appropriate Native American culture. And from the look of its advertisement, MAC is doing a good job of doing the same thing—especially with products with names like Arrow Head and Call of the Canyon.
The Navajo-"inspired" collection drew the ire of several people on Reddit, with one user clearly stating that the collection is not only an example of appropriation but downright racist.
"Cultural appropriation is not a cute look. I'm really grossed out by the fact that they'll be benefiting from Native designs and 'vibes,' and I don't imagine any of the proceeds will be going to any of the First Nations, and I'd be surprised if there were any Native models in their ad campaigns. Like, there are less than a hundred people alive left who speak my father's native tongue. It's a dying language. He wasn't allowed to speak our language when he was stolen from his home as a child and sent to boarding school, and was viciously beaten if he tried. He wasn't allowed to wear our native garb, and they withheld the jewelry my grandmother and great aunts would send him," user Beanieandpeach wrote.
MAC released a statement in response to the claims of appropriation and denied that the collection reflects Native American culture.
"The collection, including the visuals, product lineup, and naming, is inspired by art, outdoor music festivals, and the colors of the desert," MAC stated. "The collection has absolutely no connection to nor was it inspired by the Native American cultures."
Yeah, sorry, but not buying that at all.