Kidnap

This statue called Kidnap is located at the Old Trapper’s Lodge at Pierce College. It is located on 7100 El Rancho Dr, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, the photo was taken on September 13, 2018 at 10:13 a.m. I used to see these statues everyday when I took a summer class at Pierce College and they always looked strange to me. By looking at this image people assume that this is a racist statue because there is a savage looking man who is suppose to portray a Native American. People who fight for equality will find this extremely offensive, because it shows Natives as kidnappers. Although there is a story behind this statue, John Ehn was the person one who created this statue. John had a motel in Burbank back in the early 1900’s and he wanted to decorate his motel with an Old West theme. Therefore, he hired someone to make a statue for him. After he observed the artist creating a statue, he learned how to make one on his own. Before John passed away he finished the remaining statues that are at Pierce College right now. The statue is identified as a controversial art because it is seen as racist. It gives the viewers a wrong interpretation of the Natives, because it shows a scary image to the viewers. The location of these statues is hidden in this small patch of trees that cover the Old Trapper. If the statues were placed somewhere else where it is visible to all the people, then there would be complains to the school saying that it is offensive. The statues would be taken down and then John Ehn would not be presented.