Blackpool Illuminations criticised for Native American 'racism'

Two people have complained to Blackpool Council about the ‘Wild West’ panel which is situated on Queen’s Promenade.

The display in question depicts stereotypical Native Americans who are holding axes and surrounded by a totem pole and cactus.

Anthony Perry, a member of the Chickasaw Nation who lives in the UK, contacted the council to explain why the “problematic” display reinforces racial stereotypes. 

In the lengthy letter, Anthony wrote that he was “deeply concerned about racism against Native peoples being celebrated through the Blackpool Illuminations.”

The letter continued: “I was dismayed to see stereotypical Native peoples dancing before a totem pole on the Visit Blackpool site for the Blackpool Illuminations.  

“Native Americans have long been caricatured- often in the name of 'honouring' them -as an attempt to erase our culture, redefine our history and assimilate us with Euro-centric ideals.

“Caricatures such as these reinforce racial stereotypes of Native Americans as being primitive people who have no place in modern society.  

Anthony Perry

“Showing - let alone promoting - such illuminations also does little to promote Blackpool as a welcoming community.  Instead, it paints Blackpool as a community that supports racism and discrimination. 

“It doesn't reflect the difficult conversations and changing societal values on race that we've seen since the Black Lives Matter protests that sparked your resolution.  Worse still, these illuminations are seen by hundreds of thousands of people each year, which means that they spread stereotypes to other communities in the UK and beyond.  

“I would not expect such an exhibit to stand if it contained caricatures of Black, Asian or other peoples of colour; nor should it stand if it contains caricatures of the first peoples of the United States and Canada.”

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Anthony said: “I came across the exhibit through the Visit Blackpool site.

“The [Native American] picture was there front and centre for the Blackpool Illuminations.

“I spoke with other natives and they also shared concerns about it.

“We just thought that it was not ‘on’. It wouldn’t be done for other groups of people.”

Mr Perry, who is originally from Oklahoma in America but has lived in Britain for 17 years, said he got in touch with councillors after his Twitter callout went unanswered.

Hi @visitBlackpool, could you please explain why you've chosen to make Native American caricatures as part of your Blackpool Illuminations? As a Native American living in the UK, I find this deeply problematic. Would you do this to other BME people? Why us? pic.twitter.com/5EoM1pPwaY

— AnthonyPerry (@Anthony_J_Perry) September 13, 2021

He said: “[After the email] they got back to me quickly and I spoke to their Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Manager and he has given me feedback and recognised my concerns and where I was coming from.”

“They said they were going to review the display for next year.

“My recommendation wasn’t to take it away – but if they want to celebrate Native culture then maybe have something that has been created by an actual Native American artist.”

“The key part is that they are going to review it and let’s see what happens going forward.”

“I was satisfied with their response – but we will see what happens next year.”

The NHS data analyst and author said he is “frustrated” to see some symbols of Native American culture used like this in daily life.

He added: “People don’t know a lot about us and some might even see us as ‘people of the past’ – but we are still here.”

Anthony has also been in talks with Exeter Rugby Club and their usage of Native American branding and hopes they can be as "considerate" as Blackpool Council have been.

Mr Perry has written books and articles explaining the history of Native Americans in order to better inform the public.

'Chula the Fox' is a historical fiction book which tells an honest story about Chickasaw lives and the challenges our Native American ancestors faced during the early eighteenth century.  

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: “Our officers have been in constructive discussion with two people of Native American origin who raised concerns about the tableau. 

“We have explained the background to the historic elements of the Illuminations display and assured them that these were designed and created many years ago and intended to be a celebration of different cultures. Both have accepted that assurance. 

“The Illuminations are one of the UK’s most enduring family attractions and we would never do anything intended to cause offence. We will, as a matter of course, take on board the comments received and review which features are appropriate for inclusion in next year’s display. We have also agreed to explore options for a new tableau that celebrates native American culture with input from the network based in the UK.” 

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