Crying Indian

The Keep America Beautiful campaign ran this particular commercial in the early 1970s with American Indian actor Iron Eyes Cody; many of the contemporary examples of Native American stereotypes can be linked with this particular commercial. The image of the Crying Indian has become synonymous with the Indians' role as environmental protectors. The Crying Indian image is referenced in numerous other examples of media portrayal and is later openly made fun of [see. Dave Chappelle's stand-up entry].

This characterization is initially non-harming; one might think being accused of environmentally responsible would be a good attribute. However, the intolerance manifests itself because this portrayal becomes mainly what the group of people are identified with. Modern media has just a few roles for Indians and this is one. Additionally, the juxtaposition of the traditionally dressed Indian versus the Industrialization of society sets the two apart in a basic binary set-up. Either one is living in the modern world of cars and trucks, or one is travelling by canoe. Either one is socially and technologically modern or one is "backwards" or "out dated, antiquated".