https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:19:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1013134 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:39:19 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1013134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: @freckles: I actually like the idea of having Native Americans and other non white settler/ cowboys in the mix for a Western themed party, otherwise it's a revision of history. The Mexican traders and ranch hands would be fun to incorporate too. </p> <p>@MsLipGloss: The Hatfield and McCoys most recent mini series was amazing. Too often we joke about this long standing fueds, but I had no idea how violent it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1013018 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:05:16 +0000 MsLipGloss 1013018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: No worries. You were plenty thoughtful!</p> <p>@Mrsbells: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1013004 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:02:47 +0000 Mrsbells 1013004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: @MsLipGloss: I really like how easily misunderstandings and disagreements are resolved on here! Everyone is very respectful and polite :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012999 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:01:44 +0000 citymouse 1012999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I should have been more thoughtful before I hit submit. I didnt mean to offend anyone at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012993 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:00:48 +0000 Dandelion 1012993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say western. I think dressing everyone up as "indians" is offensive cause it's seen as racist. I think if people dressed up like they stereotype other races, those races would be offended too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012987 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:59:30 +0000 MsLipGloss 1012987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: It's an odd combination, but I am both Cherokee (1/4, although I am blonde/green-eyed!) and related to the Hatfields. I probably shouldn't be so sensitive. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012945 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:49:00 +0000 Freckles 1012945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably go with a western theme, and just have them dress as cowboys. I would probably ask myself, what if one of my guests were Native American? Would they be comfortable with it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012923 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:43:33 +0000 citymouse 1012923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: i was suggesting focusing on warring cowboys, there are lots of westerns that are not cowboys against native americans. It was a bad example. I was just referncing two families fighting where their "titles" are not offensive like "indian." It just came to mind quickly and i typed it. Dont worry. I know the story/lore of the hs and ms. I know the time frame. I know the geography. I also know the time, geography, lore, and history of the american west. I understand they are not the same and cannot be compared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012912 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:41:30 +0000 kiddosc 1012912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I see what you're saying. I guess I don't tend to think that deeply into it, which is probably why I don't always understand why people take offense. My first reaction is to think like @JoyfulKiwi mentioned, that these are "character" options without scrutinizing the historical context. </p> <p>I wouldn't play a game that pits the two sides against each other, and would most likely just do a wild west party that featured cowboys alone rather than potentially offend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012907 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:39:02 +0000 MsLipGloss 1012907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: As a reference of what exactly? I am sure most people really have no idea what started the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys . . . (it involved the murder of one of the McCoys and alliances during the Civil War). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012893 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:34:21 +0000 citymouse 1012893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: no, i didnt mean it like that. I just meant two groups of people. As a reference of fighting sides not as an example western history. ETA: also i know they werent in the west or having anything to do with that culture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012888 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:31:56 +0000 MsLipGloss 1012888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: Kind of like the Hatfields and McCoys? Uh, that's not at all like the Hs &amp; Ms. I wouldn't go there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012877 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:25:43 +0000 citymouse 1012877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you just do cowboys? Lots of westerns show fights between two grps of settlers and nothing to do w Native Americans. Kind of like Hatfields and McCoys? Maybe bank robbers? Just throwing things out as they come to mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012846 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:12:33 +0000 artsyfartsy 1012846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am planning an event weekend at work themed Western Weeked. I wanted to organize a huge game of cowboys an Indians but I think it would be inappropriate.</p> <p>It's hard to know now of days. You don't want to offend anyone but don't know what's offensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012820 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:03:55 +0000 travellingbee 1012820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: "If Cowboys and Indians was not adversial and just happened to be characters that helped paint a picture of a Wild West party would that be better?" yes, that would be better. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012810 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:59:49 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1012810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I wouldn't frame it as pick a "side" either. If it were me, I'd phrase it as "characters" &amp; provide simple costume options for both types. I'd probably try to use pieces that are true to the tribes in my area too. I wouldn't plan any games that pit one side against the other, but have them working together on teams. </p> <p>But, it's a birthday party, not a history/ethics seminar so have fun! If you don't think your guests will be offended, go for it. I think it sounds fun. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012737 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:44:31 +0000 Mrsbells 1012737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I dont think the term indians is right either. They arent indians and dont want to be called indians or even worse red indians </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012730 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:41:59 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1012730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: The game Cowboys and Indians romanticized the myth of the savage, soulless, wild Native. The movies and tv shows often depicted the Cowboys and Sheriffs as righteous people defending the honor of their wives and families and the law on their side. The Natives were always trying to stir up troubke and sabotage what the settlers built. The Natives were seen as a nuissance and were harassed, treated as less than a dog, and forcefully moved to barren reservations. </p> <p>If Cowboys and Indians was not adversial and just happened to be characters that helped paint a picture of a Wild West party would that be better? The "pick a side" harkens back to the offensive nature. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012696 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:31:45 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1012696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: I think it can be offensive to say Indian because its symbolic of the injustices and wrongdoings that were put upon the Native people. They aren't from India, they are the native occupants of the Americas. Most of the Native Americans I know prefer to be called that or by their tribe over Indian. The history of the Wild West is pretty fraught with bad deeds.<br /> But so is piracy (pirate themed) and royalty (Princess themes) and lots of other common children party themes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012652 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:20:40 +0000 kiddosc 1012652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll admit that I tend to be one of those people who just doesn't get offended easily. I don't see a problem with this, but I'm a middle class, white person and realize I don't have the best frame of reference. </p> <p>Can someone explain why they think this is offensive? I'm not trying to say that it isn't, or shouldn't be... I'm just trying to better understand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012649 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:19:57 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1012649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a labeling it Wild West would be less likely to offend. Like everything else, people's comfort levels with Indian vs. Native and costumes will vary. I lived next to a reservation for a long time and had Native friends who would dress as another tribe member for Halloween and then had Native students whose families asked us not to make headdresses during thanksgiving week. </p> <p>I'd say gauge your audience/guests and go from there. I would be offended by the dressing up aspect for the same reason I'm not offended by kids dressing up like pirates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012630 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:14:57 +0000 bunnylove08 1012630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with Mrs.Bird and Dandelion. It could be offensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012608 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:09:59 +0000 Dandelion 1012608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: I agree with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012606 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:09:47 +0000 Dandelion 1012606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think these days it can be offensive, if you do it in a costume like way. It's pretty much dressing up as a race in a stereotypical way. It doesn't really pay honor to a group of people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012604 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:09:12 +0000 mrs. bird 1012604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>'wild west' seems more PC as a theme</p> <p>ETA: just saw the pic added. yea, i wouldn't be comfortable with that. at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-party-just-a-party#post-1012585 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:05:10 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1012585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad grew up in the '50s and played Cowboys and Indians. I love a good Western such as True Grit- the original and the remake. </p> <p>For the most part society has agreed using Indian is not PC abd flat out misleading when referring to America's native inhabitants. Would a Cowboy and Indian themed party be in poor taste? </p> <p>I live near several reservations and hear Native Americans refer to each other as Indians or members of the Tribe or use the actual Tribe's name.</p> <p>[attach=3033/13/mrh395.400x600.cowboys-indians-1st-birthday-14.jpeg] </p>