CBS Apologizes For OutKast's Indian-Themed Grammy Performance

02/17/2004 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
LAUNCH Radio Networks

CBS thought it had all of its bases covered by instituting a delay of the Grammy Awards telecast to prevent a repeat of what happened at the Super Bowl halftime show, but despite the precautions the company has managed to offend once again with a live telecast. This time Native Americans are furious over what they say are "racist stereotypes" portrayed in OutKast's Native American-themed Grammy Awards performance of "Hey Ya" at the end of the show. Outkast's dancers emerged from a fake tepee dressed as American Indians, and then proceeded to bump and grind in feather headdresses, fringe skirts, and braided wigs.

Several Native American organizations condemned the performance as racist, including The Native American Cultural Center (NACC) in San Francisco. "It was the most disgusting set of racial stereotypes aimed at American Indians that I have ever seen on TV," said Sean Freitas, a board member of NACC, in a statement. "It was on par with white people dancing sexually in black face, or yarmulkes, or the vestments of the Catholic Church. I am shocked and outraged."

The NACC posted a notice on its website calling for a boycott of CBS, OutKast's label Arista Records, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the Grammys. "We are very sorry if anyone was offended," CBS spokeswoman Nancy Carr told Reuters when asked about the NACC boycott.

The NACC was not impressed with the apology offered by CBS, and instead it suggests on its website that CBS "acknowledge fully its responsibility for the broadcast racism during the CBS/Grammy Awards Show."

The organization also says on its website, "The formal apology and remedial measure must be communicated by CEO Les Moonves or a similar high ranking CBS or Viacom official."

OutKast won three Grammys, including Best Album for its hit double-CD release Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

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