I never write about No Doubt because I don’t care about their music, so what’s the point? However, they are in the news for pulling out the video for their song ‘Looking Hot’ from YouTube, because the clip was offensive for Native Americans! What? We are in 2012, and they still don’t know that using Native American imagery for their stupid story would be offensive? Haven’t we been there a million times already? But when you think about it, this is also plain silly, whoever is offended by this video should also be outraged by all the squaw and Iroquois costumes that were sold this past Halloween – and there are always a few of them in a parade on October 31st!
Anyway, No Doubt may have removed it from the Tube channel, but the video still runs wild on Vimeo (for how long?) and the whole thing is really bad, beyond bad. The music is mediocre, like a bad rehash of the worst of the current techno-pop you can hear about everywhere, and the storyline, if you manage to find one, is a series of clichés about the old wild west, tepees, wolves, warriors’ dances and smoke signals included. But it is especially a pretext for bleach blonde Gwen Stefani to wear a series of Indian-culture-inspired outfits, while being tied up, singing ‘Do you think I’m looking hot?’ Didn’t she think a minute it would look really ridiculous. Every woman, Native American or not, should be offended! Can you go lower in the sexualized stereotype?
To their credit No Doubt has posted this on their website:
"As a multi-racial band our foundation is built upon both diversity and consideration for other cultures. Our intention with our new video was never to offend, hurt or trivialize Native American people, their culture or their history. Although we consulted with Native American friends and Native American studies experts at the University of California, we realize now that we have offended people. This is of great concern to us and we are removing the video immediately. The music that inspired us when we started the band, and the community of friends, family, and fans that surrounds us was built upon respect, unity and inclusiveness. We sincerely apologize to the Native American community and anyone else offended by this video. Being hurtful to anyone is simply not who we are.’
But if you have ever visited a reservation and looked at the poverty around yourself, you may realize that a No Doubt video is probably the least problem of the Native American people.
No Doubt – Looking Hot (Official video) from Flochjan on Vimeo.