Rev Dr E-K,

The script for Adam Sandler's next movie contains numerous jokes and stereotypes that mock American Indians, especially Native women. "The Ridiculous Six" — in production now for Netflix — gives us names like "Beaver Breath," "Never Wears Bra," and "Sits-on-Face."

I am Navajo, and I was one of a dozen Native background extras who walked away from Sandler's production in protest.

On set, I was bronzed to look "more" Indian, even though I am a full-blooded Native American. The current script also has white men toss an alcoholic beverage at an Indian woman passed out on the ground — even while alcoholism, sexual assault, and violence against women continue to ravage real reservations.

It's time to end the negative stereotype of the drunk Indian. Please sign my petition demanding Adam Sandler and Netflix revise their script today!

I was blessed with the opportunity to earn my BA in Film and Media Studies at Dartmouth College. This rich education has given me the knowledge, expertise, and tools to identify these problematic issues and to be a strong voice for my people. I want to speak up for our Indigenous youth who are deeply impacted by these negative stereotypes that are too often perpetuated in film and media.

It is my goal to bring about change in the film industry and make room for Native American talent to tell our own stories — stories about a people who actually still exist today in the 21st century.

But when a "Ridiculous Six" producer learned that we didn't appreciate being stereotyped this way, he snapped, "If you guys are overly sensitive, you should leave." So we did — and I'm speaking out.

Sign my Care2 petition: The producer must be removed from the film, and Adam Sandler must remove jokes mocking American Indians, especially American Indian women, from his script!

Thank you,

Allie Young
Artist, Writer, Filmmaker, and Care2 Petition Author