ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - As the final act of Sunday's Grammy telecast, OutKast's Andre "3000" Benjamin and several dancers swirled wildly around a green teepee as he sang "Hey Ya!" Costumes included war paint, feathers and fringe. OutKast's hip-hoppy jive won three trophies: best urban-alternative performance for "Hey Ya!" and best rap album and overall album of the year for "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."

"I like OutKast. I like their music," said Tom Bee, an Albuquerque record producer and musician, who was nominated for the Native American music Grammy. "But I thought the show was not correct. It was degrading."

The San Francisco-based Native American Cultural Center called for a boycott of CBS; OutKast; Arista, their record company; and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the Grammys. The center also has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission and said it posted documents online explaining "why this broadcast was racist and why the companies involved need to take responsibility for their commercialization of Native American culture."

The Web site also urged viewers to "Turn Off CBS," and for each boycotter to ask 10 friends to do likewise.
In New York, a woman who answered the phone Friday at Arista Records' publicity office said OutKast had no immediate comment.

George Toya of the Jemez Pueblo powwow group Black Eagle, who was in the audience at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, said he was initially happy when he heard the chant that opened OutKast's performance. He thought he was about to see an American Indian group perform. "It was a Navajo song that I recognized, and I got a little excited," said Toya, who was at the ceremony with other members of Black Eagle to pick up a Grammy for best Native American music album for "Flying Free."

But the drumming was actually the intro to "Hey Ya!" Toya said he couldn't believe it.

"I told my wife who was sitting beside me, "Somebody is going to be (angry) about this,'" he said.

American Indians across the country were angered by what they said was a performance disrespectful to their culture and a perpetuation of tomahawk-and-teepee stereotypes. The Oneida Nation criticized the performance on Tuesday. Indianz.com launched an online petition calling for an apology from Andre. By Wednesday night, there were 2,500 signatures.

Bee was particularly angered that the dancers who accompanied Andre wore feathers, a sacred symbol for American Indians.

CBS apologized Friday to American Indians angered by OutKast's Grammy Awards performance, which featured feathers and war paint.

"We are very sorry if anyone was offended," said Nancy Carr, a CBS spokeswoman in Los Angeles.

...and a grocery strike, and an unprecedented assault on our civil liberties, and a campaign on the part of developers and their lap dogs in local government to pave over every last remaining inch of countryside in North America.

And some people apparently have nothing better to do than to cry about frigging Outkast and his little costume. This is worse than pathetic; it's disgraceful.

This country and all of its supermarkets and stock markets and play vista
housing developments was built on the genocide of native people and
Americans have to recognize that or they will be forever cursed by the
ignorance and arrogance of their history.

The idiotic and insensitive remarks above are indicative of this ignorance
and arrogance. Americans make a big deal out of an exposed breast but
care nothing for representation that insult the legacy of people who were here
before you Anglo-Saxons, Africans, and Spaniards.

I support the anti-war movement and the grocerers strike, but if you're too stupid
to see how the occupation of Iraq and the supermarket strike are connected
to the legacy of genocide against Native People by Anglo-Saxon and American
capitalism, then fuck your war and your strike.

We have learned how to endure suffering, and you all still don't have a clue.
When you all have blown yourselves to bits, we will still be here....

Peace.

What are we without the ideas of culture an humanity? Nowhere. People can't struggle and fight if they don't have a sense of what's important to retain or create.

The "little things" like having respect for the people of different cultures (or in the case of African Americans, who are very mixed with indigenous, of cultures you share), is vital to the struggle for global justice, and against war.

If you don't see that now, just think it over for a few years, and it should make sense eventually.

"The thin line between entertainment and war/There'll be no shelter here/The front line is everywhere."

This OutKast album will generate millions of dollars in sales, earning Big Boi and Andre 3000 a tidy sum, and paying for a lot of paychecks. It's not "nothing" to be famous, to sell a lot of CDs, win a Grammy, and get all over the TV. Just on that basis alone, the handful of angry people are more than justified in taking this issue seriously.

Beyond this, there's a big problem with OutKast, and I'm saying this as someone who liked Stankonia and almost bought the current album. They're racial stereotypes. It's one thing to put the stereotype out there -- there are some reasonable images out there to counterbalance OutKast -- but a whole different thing to give them the Grammy. Oh Yeah is a good song, and the album sounds good, but it's a funk retread. The Big Boi material is interesting, but that's not what's getting them the votes. It's Dre the dandy hypersexualized caricature with the relaxed hair that the voters like.

IGNORANCE BEGETS HATE... across the board and on all levels... PLEASE keep this in mind.

It is highly recommended that more people chill out and fewer people get their shorts in a bunch over a musical number motif. That, at least, is the recommendation over at TheGantelope.com.

Oh, poor Barney has such problems. People speak up about racism and it makes him sigh. If only we could all be comfortable with racism, we would make Barney's life a bit more comfortable.

I think many people are making a big deal with the issue of racism. I loved their performance. We have too much things to worry about in this world rather than to make a big deal about a group wearing a costume. Secondly...the boob issue..no big deal it was a FLASH..Quick boob action..I didn't even noticed it until I saw the video clip 10 times..and even if it was a big deal she had a nipple ring...

So chill out and stop knocking on the TV stations on what slips on the air..no one is perfect..also give the stars a break..not just because your not them don't be jelious..Think about this...On halloween...are you offended when you see kids dressed as indians and cow boys..noo..you think its sooooo cute...

What the hel* are you thinking, people? If that had been a white man in blackface doing an Uncle Tom routine, then people would be outraged!

I do not blame CBS... OUTKAST is the one to be blamed, as well as the ignorant *?"! s who are supporting this sort of Naziism by claiming that there are better things to do than complain, that we should not be in a tizzy of anger because somebody dared to do this kind of crap in our country!

Not one person in this country except them really has a 100% right to be here, and we should be grateful to every true American whose family`s blood and destiny was taken away, so we could develop into comfortable creatures whose big worries are supermarket strikes and too much tv, instead of big-bellied starving children, piss-tasting drinking water, and total communist thought control.

I blame ESPECIALLY every black American who does not speak out against this, because if you cannot stick up for your brother, you are nothing. And the REAL Americans are our brothers.

How can one group have fought hundreds of years for a semblance of freedom, yet have the two-faced wimpiness not to try to sue the hell out of Outkast?

Where is the NAACP? Aren`t Indians colored people?
I feel ashamed to be a black Amercian right now.

After that, I am pissed with Chinese Americans, too. Because they suffered alot, but now that the time comes to help somebody else, where are they?

And add Jews to the list, too... If someones says the slightest word against a Jew, then the ADL jumps their bones. But why don`t the "chosen people of God" stand up for God`s children?

Mostly, I am shocked that any American would be Homer Simpson enough to put on such a performance.

This must be how Outkast feels for their lyrics show how much they hate us.

This is a short portion of the lyrics sung by Outkast at the Grammy show:

Fool ain't cha got nuttin else to be worried about? Outkast dont be cryin around when some prairie lover try and act like he can flow and call himself MC RedWarrior or DeeJay Crazy Bear. Outkast dont be worried bout no ****sta called Litefoot frontin like he got some stage skillz. If ya wanna get mad at someone then get mad at them pow-wow clownz that go round in dancetroupes and shake it for dem rich cracka crowds.

HAHAHA. Fool you sure got mad. You probly sittin dere with tearz runnin down yo face your heart poundin all fast and ****. HAHAHA. You need to hook up with bravesheart and have yourself a lil 2 man protest about this. You can read your sorry poemz from your lil poetry book while braveheart does his crackastyle ndn dance, yo. Maybe have you couple of new age white broads thats taggin along cuz they be mad just like you foolz.What chu foolz know about being Ndn? Nuttin. Dats why it so funny dat you both be sittin here all red and shakin wit anger while I just laff at yo ***. HAHA.

I am disappointed in Outkast complete lack of sensitivity with regard their performance. Has the entertainment industry not evolved from the days of painting italians red so that they would look indian.

As a young Native American/zhini American would have liked to have seen at least one native american dancer in the routine. Its not like there are not native american dancers out there. I seen Jana's show and her dancers (in similiar outfits) got a standing ovation at the NCAI Inagural Ball.

I think some people are missing the point. Outkast's use of racial stereotypes (Black lawn Jockies) are used to diffuse/take away from the power of these stereotypes by showing us how rediculous they are.

I am also embarrassed that in an election year that is pivotal for us this is the only issue we can get national media on.

What are you guys talking about? This is crazy that people are so dissective of the media. I mean, we are all americans, right?

And about a white person doing black face. Umm, how many white rappers are there now wearing baggy pants and talkin about their "struggles" in "da" hood??
EXACTLY!! Its already happening. That is not just Native american culture, its american culture. We all have freedom of speech and you cant hate on them because they excercised theres.

So they're making fun of powwows, fine. That's a southern thing, and I didn't know about them until a year ago. It's not universal knowledge.

Out here in California, powwows are more like ethnic cultural festivals. They're pretty polite, and not carnivals.

Still, Outkast are black, not indian. Maybe if they were indian, they could play it off, but they are not. They can't mock the situation. It's like when white people say n--ger this and n--ger that, all hip hop, like they aren't part of the problem. That just doesn't fly.

Maybe if things were a little more equal and fair, it would work, but we're not there yet.

It seems like Outkast, CBS and the Grammys did a fine job of seeing how they really are. I just hope that all tribes now take the opportunity to school the children with the proper traditions of each tribe. We cannot go back and let the African American contributions to white society infiltrate our way of life. It's old school segregation time back to haunt us.

i feel that native americans should embrace and be proud of any and every part of their culture that has evolved and minifests in todays culture. it wasn't meant to be a mockery! no more than michael jackson's "remember the time" performance was a mockery to egypt. it was a symbolic reverence! as one of andre's biggest fans, and someone who has purchased any and every thing with his voice on it, i know that this is clearly his statement:
the grammy's are a rich american tradition today, but what is truly american- native american. he wasn't making a mockery of native americans he was making a mockery of the awards show. because he is not for mainstream american culture because it is a big hypocrocy. his view is how can a "nation of immigrants, place laws on immigration".

in everything he do he is making a statement. that is why when he got an award, he gave a short 'thank you' and walked off the stage.

native americans need to understand that america is now a melting plot of all of the world's cultures. without these culture's what would music, art, medicine be. that what makes this country so great. you all should feel proud!

he was paying reverence to native americans!

Realize that what Outkast did was a performance of piracy. Do you think permission was granted for the use of the opening Dineh-Navajo song? Is he going to give royalties to the drum group? Sadly, not one native American will see the dollars. Nor do most of us see the dollars from the mega-casinos. My hometown casino in Fort Thompson, South Dakota can't compare to the mega-casinos of California and the east coast. For our only perk is $20 in quarters and a free prime rib meal once a month and for this one must be over 55 years of age.

We've never been touched by reverance before and when we are revered it makes us cry with shame. Ashamed that redface can be acceptable while blackface isn't.

DEFINITELY, I AGREE WITH YOU. THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES IN THIS WORLD TO DEAL WITH RATHER THAN PUTTING THE MEDIA AND SOCIETY INTO THIS PITY ISSUE. I AGREE THAT IT BOTHERS THE aMERICAN INDIAN AND THEIR CULTURE HOWEVER AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEIR CULTURE SINCE WE WERE BROUGHT OVER HERE ON SLAVE SHIPS. I FEEL THAT WE HAVE TOO MANY OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS, AND AIDS. I AM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN THEREFORE I KNOW THAT THEY ENDURED SO MUCH IN THE PAST HOWEVER AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN I DO NOT FOCUS ON THE PAST RATHER ON MT FUTURE--SO LET IT GO---IT'S OVER

We are the subordinates of society and to be in compliance with the white society we have been dictated to let it go? Shall I also let the Rodney King riots go? Shall I let the WTC disaster go? Am I to let go of the American soldiers fighting abroad right now? For the injustice thrown in our face by our fellow African Americans in mutant redface means that our shame was not a normal human emotion. I'm hoping that the African American contributions into white society will not continue to infiltrate into the native American cultural scene. Beforehand, we welcomed their talent with much respect. Now that we've been disgraced by both African Americans and white America we are told to let it go.

Was that really what they said or a failed attempt at satire or sarcasm. I don't know so if you could pick one and tell someone. Lost in translation.

Native American society and practices are prevalint on Reservations or places with a high Native American population. But in the rest of the country you are an fairytale. Extinct as the dinosaurs. I've been to Jamsetown and they have Native Americans which are really white people with clay on their faces. Native Americans have to make themselves more in the forefront of the mainstream thought. Because the only Native AMerican on T.V. is John Redcorn from King of the hill. The Outkast thing might be kick in the ass that some of your Native AMericans Leaders need to set a couple of things straight about you all. Maybe yall should lobby to get a month. Then people will learn about your culture and you might not have this situation again

The controversy has died down and so I think us non-derelict indigenous native Americans can go back the way of the extinct dinosaur until the white derelict society makes another mistake.

The controversy has died down and so I think us non-derelict indigenous native Americans can go back the way of the extinct dinosaur until the white derelict society makes another mistake.

Whoa...people there are many other important things to worry about than andre3000...dancing around in native american clothing and singing his song...Being a native american person myself I find it a little bit disrepectful but at the same time amusing...but since their is such a whoop-la about this I'm happy Andre3000 decided to show some love to the first americans (me)...I hope he releases that song with an native american remix...
hahahah

Well it's good to see one native American that has lost his sense of traditions. Go ahead and further yourself in white society. I will not hinder you nor will I come to your aid. But I've got a feeling that your skin is not native American so why rag on me when I have nothing else to do?

What is important to you may not be important to me. Are you a crusader? What tribe affiliation do you belong to? I'm enrolled as a Hunkpati Dakotah Sioux from the Crow Creek Dakotah Sioux Tribe of Fort Thompson, South Dakota. Do you realize that you're not a legitimate native American for your ancestors existed for naught!

I don't believe his performance was degrading at all. If anything he is giving a dose of remembrance. He is an artist. He is very open minded and considerate. I think he does his wardrobe with a Native American theme because he has respect for them. Not many people give us any recognition to our culture or heritage, and any time they do some of us cry out racism. Please. We have been through tougher and obscene gestures of racism. Another thing is that this is an African American, taking this so-called racist stand. If anything he's empathetic to our culture and hardships. As we should be to their's. We are Native people and we should act like them, peaceful warriors.

I don't believe his performance was degrading at all. If anything he is giving a dose of remembrance. He is an artist. He is very open minded and considerate. I think he does his wardrobe with a Native American theme because he has respect for them. Not many people give us any recognition to our culture or heritage, and any time they do some of us cry out racism. Please. We have been through tougher and obscene gestures of racism. Another thing is that this is an African American, taking this so-called racist stand. If anything he's empathetic to our culture and hardships. As we should be to their's. We are Native people and we should act like them, peaceful warriors.

wow that last comment was shockingly ignorant . go get some schooling before you voice your baised, narrow-minded comments boy. The Native American culture is one we must respect just like any other.

Peaceful warriors? The Dakota/Lakota are not peaceful warriors but warring warriors, get that in your head! If Andre negative 3000 was so considerate, why did he fail to appear at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in New Mexico?

Andre has always said that his outfits come from what he sees when he hears the music, If what he sees in his head is people dressed in green dancing around a TP then thats what he should show us.

it's august 2004 now, and i was out of the u.s. all spring this year, when the grammys happened and these comments were posted.

as humans, we have more learning and evolving to do. and as we continue to learn, we must apply our new understanding in real life, so that we can contribute to the evolution of all life.

i am african american, and of american indian ancestry. i'm in my 40's, and i've spent most of my life learning the connections between black and indian peoples, learning our histories, including how much history we share together, in our struggle to survive here in the americas, throughout these past 500 years. the first african peoples came here with the spanish conquistadors, and were helping them move through the Caribbean and the Americas. later, when many africans were enslaved and brought here against their will, they and their children took refuge with indian peoples, and the two fought together for their freedom and their rights as human beings.

please seek out this history, and make contact with each other in real ways. some pow-wows are very special gatherings. the ones i go to mostly are. the last Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow, in Albuquerque NM that i attended, featured native folks from the Six Nations, dancing ndn-hip hop to some very cool music that fused native rhythms with hip-hop.

before we take strong stands against each other's ways, i ask that we first learn much more about each other's ways. and maybe, because of this debate, OutKast will be given an opportunity/will seek and find an opportunity to connect more with Native musicians, singers, drum groups, dancers and other artists. and i hope that my OutRaged indian relatives will keep open their hearts and minds. we still need each other, just as our ancestors did, and we are all here together - Red, Black, Yellow, Brown and White - on this beautiful Turtle Island for a good reason. may we all find our part of the reason.

We don't have to like it - but we can't take away someone else's right to free speech, or we lose ours. Condemn the action without condemning the right to take action

Outkast has long made statements with their shows. It's a satire. I remember the first time I saw them on TV--I think it was the MTV awards or something--but they all come out dressed as women. It was a similiar performance--what they are doing is presenting an amplified version of what our culture produces to represent certain groups. So, in that performance they were projecting the "ideal woman" so to speak--and it was halarious. That's what they were doing with this performance. They are showing you--on stage--how absurb our nation's idea of native americans really is. And, look how rediculous they looked. Their intentions, I think, are to point out all of these outrageous ideas in our culture in order to make them look as silly as they really are.