If you went out at all this past holiday weekend, chances are you saw some cultural appropriation. Not to suggest that it doesn’t happen during the rest of the year, but a holiday that allows people to dress up in public leads to a lot of culturally problematic mistakes.

While on the set for the next installment of Marvel’s Thor series, Chris Hemsworth showed his support for protestors in Standing Rock by posting a photo with director Taika Waititi holding a sign that read “We stand with Standing Rock.” However, the photo’s caption is what garnered the most attention.

Hemsworth took the opportunity to apologize for a past incident where he attended a “Lone Ranger” party where he and some friends wore stereotypical Native American clothing. He went on to apologize for this, admit his former blind spot and and expressed hopes that owning up to his mistake could encourage others to do the same.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to raise something that has been bothering me for sometime,” wrote the Australian actor. “Last New Year’s Eve I was at a ‘Lone Ranger’ themed party where some of us, myself included, wore the traditional dress of First Nations people. I was stupidly unaware of the offence this may have caused and the sensitivity around this issue. I sincerely and unreservedly apologise to all First Nations people for this thoughtless action.”

Hopefully many people will learn that it’s best to own up to these mistakes instead of writing lengthy apologies that read more like weak attempts as defense and underhanded accusations. *see Brock Denton*.

Photo Credit: Instagram