“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore apologized on Tuesday for wearing a feather headdress as a costume during Sunday’s episode, which Native American activists denounced as a “racist” example of “playing Indian”.
“I sincerely want to apologize for inappropriately using the Native American headdress as a costume,” she said in a statement to Page Six. “Now I realize that it was disrespectful and insensitive and I never would have done it if I had this knowledge and understanding beforehand. I regret it. When you know better, you do better. I’m really sorry. “
Bravo was also forced to do a mea culpa in response to indignation at Moore’s antics in last weekend’s Halloween-themed episode of the long-running reality show.
“We expected it to be a learning moment, however, in retrospect, it is clear that the network did not deal with it properly, given the seriousness of the situation,” added the network. “We apologize to the Native American community and our audience as a whole.”
An activist group called IllumiNative led the charge against Moore and Bravo by writing a lengthy statement on Instagram on Monday, tearing up “fantasies that mimic indigenous peoples”.
“We are deeply disturbed by last night’s episode of #RHOA, in which @thekenyamoore wore a Native American ‘warrior princess’ costume,” the group said.
“Costumes that mock indigenous peoples, defame our traditions and cultures and perpetuate negative stereotypes are racist. ‘Playing Indian’ is a form of mascot that is not just offensive, it is part of a long history of how indigenous peoples were dehumanized ”.
The nonprofit initiative, created and led by Native Americans, added that they are “incredibly concerned” that none of the producers or executives of Bravo, Comcast or NBC Universal, Bravo’s parent company, has intervened.
Bravo wrote in the comment section of the post that “aims to have the highest standards of respect and inclusion” and they “recognize” that the recent episode “RHOA” does not “defend these values”.
A critic of Moore, 50, pointed out that the “housewife” said in a now-excluded tweet that Native Americans were “part of her heritage,” but added, “I think she has no education in her own ethnicity, culture and stereotypes. “
Moore’s co-stars also caught her eye on the show. Drew Sidora said in a confessional interview that the suit was “super problem” and Porsha Williams added, “I thought we weren’t doing this anymore.”
However, fans who came in defense of the reality star pointed out that other members of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast – including Sidora, 35, and Williams’ sister Lauren Williams – and the former “Real Housewives” star of Potomac ”Monique Samuels were also guilty of cultural appropriation.
User tweeted next to pictures of women in insensitive outfits, “Check these out for @DREWSIDORA @iammrssamuels and @ Porsha4real sister Lauren with their Native American and Indian outfits. Drew and Porsha had all the time to come after you, but they forgot they posted it! The team’s spin will dig them up
In April 2018, “Real Housewives of New York” star Luann de Lesseps was forced to issue her own apology after she wore dark skin makeup for a Diana Ross costume.
“I was being an impersonator for Halloween,” explained the countess at the time. “I didn’t want to offend anyone being Diana Ross for Halloween, it just didn’t even cross my mind … I wasn’t worried about it at all, and suddenly it became a thing. I’m very sorry. I don’t want it to be a thing, so I apologize if I offended you. “