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Another Stereotype of the Month entry:
LEGO Western Chess, Indians v. Cavalry — for inflicting on children in the vulnerable ages of 6 to 12 a stereotype delivery system with lessons in inequality and non-equivalent humanity. The "game" features as queens a "Squaw" (offensive word for Native woman) opposite "Western Woman" (dignified or neutral descriptive term); kings, "Chief" and "General" (not really equivalent, but toys may be forgiven some lack of nuance); bishops, "Medicine Man" (wearing horned headdresses, holding snakes and scowling) and "Chaplin" (bareheaded, blond, holding chalices and smiling); knights, "Warrior" (generic) and "Lieutenant" (specific officer rank); rooks, "Totem Pole" (not human) and "Bugler in Fort" (human, musician); and pawns, "Indians" (race) and "Soldiers" (job).
Rob's comment
I'm not sure the figures in the video are the same as the Lego chess pieces. But the Indian figures in the video reinforce the common stereotypes of Plains chiefs and teepees.
Related links
Tipis, feather bonnets, and other Native American stereotypes
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