out for repair

There were a pair of these wooden Indians outside the Nugget Restaurant in Summerland California for as long as I can remember. I believe these are commonly called Cigar Store Indians. They were used to designate just that, a cigar store. Over time they changed a bit and were used in other places as cigars stores lost favor. To Native Americans these are considered offensive. It perpetuates the notion that Indians are without feelings, not worthy of the same respect as a “White Man”. It is not my intent to insult anyone with this image. My curiosity about it was not so much the statue but the sad signage next to it explaining that they, or the second one was still out for repair and will be coming home soon.   It is impossible for me to know how offensive this is to Native Americans, not being Native American and living that reality. Just as it is impossible for me to understand what any other minority feels about the stuff said, printed, or depicted in movies, having not lived my life in those shoes. I understand but cannot know.