From 1933 to 2013--Have we been Kemosabes?

     On July 13, 2013, The Lone Ranger, the newest adaptation of the 1933 radio show, was released to theaters all over America. However, the movie was deemed a "box-office flop", despite a budget of over $225 million. For those unfamiliar with the plot, the Lone Ranger is a masked ranger who, along with his Indian friend Tonto, fights injustice throughout America's Wild West. In the newest adaption, director Gore Verbinski attempts to tell the tale through the eyes of the faithful Tonto, portrayed by Johnny Depp. Although Hollywood believes that the reprise of Tonto is a gesture of respect and honor to Native American culture, Native Americans clearly disagree. Disagreement on the portrayal of Tonto by a non-native Depp has arisen in Native American communities. The creation of Tonto in the 1900s already caused controversy itself-- after all, Tonto is the Spanish or Apache word for "foolish" or "silly" (who wouldn't be offended?!). To viewers across America, the "bromance" between Tonto and the Lone Ranger is one of mutual respect, a symbol of the friendship between two cultures. In addition, Tonto endearingly calls the Lone Ranger "Kemosabe", or "faithful friend". However, to Native Americans, Tonto, albeit the most used and important pop culture character, is a symbol of an offensive stereotypical legacy. In the new adaption, this racist image is once again portrayed with an excessive slathering of black and white paint and a dead vulture headdress.

(Honestly, every time The Lone Ranger trailer came up on TV, I switched the channel--this face is enough to give me nightmares, who wouldn't be offended?)

 

       In 1993, Sherman Alexie published The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a collection of short stories illustrating the hardships and discrimination Native Americans were subject to. Ironically, at the release of The Lone Ranger, Alexie commented, "In the movies, Indians are always accompanied by ominous music. I always feel that something bad is about to happen. I am always aware of how my whole life is shaped by my hatred of Tonto, Whenever I think of Tonto, I hear ominous music." Despite his efforts 20 years ago, Alexie is still faced with the stereotypes of Native Americans. His books have informed the public of Native American discrimination, but they are not enough to change Hollywood's inaccurate portrayals. Disney's decision to release the movie demonstrates modern America's inability to pay attention to the wishes of minority groups and respect their cultures. For example, Depp states in a Rolling Stone interview, "I wanted to maybe give some hope to kids on the reservations. They're living without running water and seeing problems with drugs and booze. But I wanted to be able to show these kids, 'F--- that! You're still warriors, man' ". (Warriors?!) Such comments are what Alexie has attempted to change in America with his books, but clearly, Hollywood is unaffected and still degrading Native Americans.

 

     After analyzing the title, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, an interpretation can be made about the book. The Lone Ranger represents white culture and the Americans while Tonto represents the repressed Native Americans. Fistfight refers to the conflict that takes place between the two and Heaven is a reference to the end or death of the conflict. Alexie himself stated that "It's always going to be antagonistic relationship between indigenous people and the colonial people." This may be true, for even in 2013, controversy about Tonto still arises amongst Native Americans. Although Alexie is able to educate the public on the unwanted stereotype, it is not enough to override the decades of discrimination. The place to make a change starts in Hollywood, where new movies respecting Native American cultures will provide a better model for the public to follow. 

 

And now, a trailer of a movie I will never watch due to scary faces and ominous music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjFsNSoDZK8