Kenya Moore Apologizes For Wearing Native American Halloween Costume: I Regret It.

Kenya Moore Apologizes For Wearing Native American Halloween Costume: I Regret It.

Update #1: Kenya Moore has issued an apology for wearing the Native American costume. See her statement below. 

Original Story: The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore is getting called out for her costume of choice on Sunday night’s (March 21st) episode of the show.

In the episode, Kenya Moore wore a Native American costume to a Halloween party.

Shortly after the episode aired IllumiNative, a nonprofit that says it strives to “increase the visibility of Native Americans in society”, took to Instagram to slam Kenya Moore’s costume.

It tweeted Monday (March 22nd),

“We are deeply disturbed by last night’s episode of #RHOA in which @KenyaMoore wore a Native American “warrior princess” costume.”

It added the post to Instagram with the caption,

“We are deeply disturbed by last night’s episode of #RHOA in which @thekenyamoore wore a Native American “warrior princess” costume.”

It explained,

“Costumes that mock Native peoples, defame our traditions and cultures, and perpetuate negative stereotypes are racist. “Playing Indian” is a form of mascotry that is not just offensive, it is part of a long history of how Native peoples have been dehumanized. Countless research studies show the harm these images, actions, and the normalization of these behaviors have on our youth. We also know the dehumanization and sexualization of Native women contributes to the crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women. #MMIW“

It continued and alleged that this isn’t the first time the series has shown racist behavior.

“We are also incredibly concerned that none of the producers or executives at @bravotv, @comcast, @nbcuniversal intervened although several cast members commented on how uncomfortable, unnecessary, and offensive the costume was on camera. The series has had several instances of racism and offensive behavior and yet it seems no training, procedures, or standards have been sent to stop offensive acts, which go against the values @comcast professes to have.”

It called for an apology from Kenya Moore, Bravo, NBC Universal, Comcast, and Andy Cohen,

“for the harm they have caused Native peoples and commit to ensuring offensive displays like this never happen again. Native people are not a costume.

While Bravo apologized, Kenya Moore had a different stance.

“I know Kenya didn’t shade Porsha all season about her work with the BLM movement then showing up with an indigenous people costume. 2 strikes #RHOA”

“Also part of my heritage #RHOA“