Keep America Beautiful: The Crying Indian (1970)

[@williamparks2203]

I'm 24 years old. My mother who grew up in the 70s showed this to me when I was younger and it has always stuck with me.

[@Patrick-tx9rh]

My niece is the same age as you, me and her mom showed this ad when she was a teenager. Wanted to show her how different things were in society back then when we were kids.

[@charlie8796]

I also watched this as a child in long lsland NY

[@petereichhorst8373]

Believe me, it stuck with all of us.

[@michaelburton1861]

In 1970 I was fighting in Vietnam but when I returned back to the World I will NEVER FORGET seeing this commercial! I was then 22 years old now I'm 72 years old and THIS commericial has been in my mind since the first time I saw it in 1971! I have YET TO SEE A BETTER COMMERCIAL EVER THAT IS SO, SO HEART WRENCHING AND TRUE! WHEN I SAW THAT TEAR ROLL DOWN THAT NATIVES EYE IT HIT HOME AND WAS ON POINT AMERICA! NEVER EVER HAVE I FORGOTTEN THIS COMMERCIAL AMD NEVER WILL, THIS MY COUNTRY I SERVED AND LOVE FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN THE US MILITARY! PEACE BE WITH US AND GOD BLESS !!

[@Werenotskitzo]

My grandpa died because of ancient orange in Vietnam when my dad was only 6 months old and I know back then the people who had fought in Vietnam didn’t get the respect they deserved, so THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[@Illuminated7]

@@val4332 protecting “us” from who/what?

[@theshimmeringmermaid]

Thank you for your service, sir!

[@jasonmason6910]

@@Illuminated7 from communism

[@Illuminated7]

@@jasonmason6910 to your point the war should have been at home. Our country is socialist, and has had an ambition to be communist since Roosevelt. .

[@metalheadmike774]

I remember this commercial from when i was a little kid. It made me cry then. Decades later i think i bothers me even more now than then. EVERYONE needs to see this. I can't believe i actually found it. Gonna show my daughters first chance i get...🥺🥺🥺

[@AngladaFamilia]

Even though he was not "Native American" he was American and he cared about America. This commercial had a huge impact on me as a kid. I still hate litter and pollution.

[@r.arieff6222]

Me three

[@orion3253]

Pantomiming the natives has been a political cliché for a really long time. Some of the Boston Tea Party actually wore kanienkeha costumes during the riot.

[@brendencarlson5220]

@@orion3253 The point being…?

[@kathleencollins3960]

This commercial should be shown on TV and the Internet today. There is so much trash on the highways, streets and rivers, etc.

[@Annieisfreejustlikebutterflies]

Me too and once stopped driving a car that was pouring out black smoke. Couldn't afford to fix it and decided it was better to park it and protect the planet.

[@luvmifro]

I use to cry seeing this as a child and to this day I can’t litter ....

[@johnharris7751]

Looks like they must have got thier message out, at least to you.

[@nicolemoore5033]

Me either!!!

[@nicolemoore5033]

Poor guy would have a heart attack if he saw our oceans and rivers now! 🙀💔

[@Kemetrical]

Yes it’s very moving. I too become tearful as a child.

[@9ineteen79]

Lol!!!! Me tooo😂😂😂😂 Even though dude was an Italian man who played him. Non the less, I still don’t litter

[@sassymessmess9110]

I was very young but I remember this. A powerful commercial. He's actually an Italian-American actor birth name Espera Oscar De Corti.

[@bOmBAsTiK]

Damn! The most iconic Native-American portrayed on TV besides Tonto ain't even native?!? Wow...

[@PotterPossum1989]

And everyone else in between.

[@indigop38]

Another instance of the many many many times we have been lied to. It was an effective ad spot though. I have to give it credit.

[@LenFnc]

He probably paid his $5; as they all did

[@fab5frk]

@@bOmBAsTiK Supremacy Can Be A Bitch If You Let It.

[@Thomas_Leo]

A lot of people like to mock this commercial, but it helped tremendously. A lot of people stopped littering after this.

[@siewheilou399]

And sell their garbage to 3rd world.

[@502greenurb]

O rlly?

[@rohielshah1779]

You were like...we murdered, raped and exterminated his ancestors, but littering his land is where you draw the line!

[@andrewrankin1921]

@@rohielshah1779 the he you’re referring to in this commercial is Italian

[@davezwick5539]

I used to think it was great too, then I learned: Keep America Beautiful's mission, since their inception in 1953 has been to shift the blame for litter from the manufacturer to the consumer. They were initially founded by the American Beverage Association to greenwash the killing of return-for-deposit bottles, which they did and have been successfully Keeping America Blindfolded ever since.

[@traceylee8620]

I was 7 or 8 when this commercial was first aired. It was profound.. I was more drawn to the Native American than anything else. The memory of the Native crying about what we are doing to the earth, has never left me.

[@gergolaky3624]

old people are so weird

[@traceylee8620]

@@gergolaky3624 - Yea.. well, one day you'll be an old weird person too. Have a nice day.

[@generichumor]

Agreed, this is one of the ads I will always remember from my childhood.

[@Corn_baby]

He wasn't even indigenous and helped corporate America avoid being fined for litter that comes from their products

[@theFonzii]

@@traceylee8620 bless your soul

[@RonaldM992000]

Wow. I'm seeing this commercial for the first time in almost half a century.

[@mochawitch]

The actor may not be of actual First Nation heritage, but the commercial is still poignantly relevant.

[@KlipschHead281]

Agreed, in the 70's we had zero fucks to give to cultural appropriation, this guy nailed the look that was needed to convey the point and the ad hit home big time with many of us. To this day I don't litter because of what I learned in the 70's and this commercial.

[@timekeeper2738]

@@KlipschHead281 as a native im proud of what he accomplished and this si something we need to.show to the new generation

[@grobbs666]

Well, also this Keep America Beautiful organization was created by large beverage packing corporations, like McDonald's, Coca Cola, Dixie Cup, etc. They made this ad and others to shift blame from them for creating the packaging to customers littering. It was a real genius strategy really. Everyone was just so moved by seeing a fake Indian crying to actually see what was going on.

[@ashitsandwich]

First Nation heritage lol

[@enricorodrigues-castragran7810]

Man! We had to deal with this for YEARS! they aint say a word. But now they diversifying roles, now they crying about "blackwashing". My sis just looked it up, this guy was STRAIGHT Caucasian and was getting told he was crazy later in his private life because he claimed he was native American....his ancestry linked back to being Italian. This guy was they actual "go to" for native American problems too! Smh

[@CATravelWineGal]

I was a child when this aired. It has stuck with me my entire life. I don't pollute (as seen in the video) and every time I see pollution--I immediately think of this commercial.

[@shaheedturner3652]

I love this great classic commercial about pollution in the 70s!!! I've seen it on TV for many years!!! I love public service announcement commercials like Take A Bite Out Of Crime, Stop Air Pollution, A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste and many others too!!! Thanks so much for posting this video!!! I love it!!!! I love the 70s!!!! Can you dig it!!!!!!!

[@lemurianchick]

I was a true kid of the '70s and remember this ad! The first Earth Day took place in 1970. We used to have a recycling center we would go to each week and turn in our papers and cans and the bottles would be returned for a deposit. This was before plastic. They called it Ecology back then...

[@DetroitLives313]

! was 10 years old.

[@plymouth491]

Creating Earth Day and the EPA were the last good things to come from the Republican Party.

[@NotaPizzaGRL]

@@plymouth491 Only to proceed to neuter both of them. There is no solution to the environmental crisis without addressing who controls what is produced.

[@AC62-m5w]

Im 61 years old and I first saw this commercial when I was 10 and its probably my favorite tv commercial of all time.

[@FreshRose-z3s]

This should be playing in 2020.

[@chasecourtney4617]

It'd be flagged as offensive

[@werstillnotfreedamit8701]

AW FORAELS, ITSTIL SHOULD OF BEEN PLAYD THE WHOLE TIME buthe BiGFaT BUThe TRUTH IZ THAT OpnEyeBaL on USAz FederaLnote on STOLN LANd Territory named AFTR d Words MONOEYE C MONEYet IZ CON SP EYE Ring TO KEEP JUST CHANGEN UP THE SAME O SCENARIOvr N ovr again N again.. LOOK ATHE OCEANS, THEY R WORSE.. THE COMMER ONLY WRKD ON SOM WHA EYE L IT FAILD ON THE REST..

[@sillygoose635]

maybe if it was updated, perhaps?

[@Werenotskitzo]

Did you know the people made this commercial were of the can and bottle industry and they were worried since people were seeing there trash everywhere they made this commercial so people would pick up trash that they created

[@MsJans411]

This is needed 2001

[@kataisa3]

Decades later, this commercial still gives me goosebumps and makes me think. Thank you, Mr. Iron Eyes Cody.

[@ShadeRaven222]

As a Native I laugh at you 😆

[@ShadeRaven222]

This guy was an Italian actor. Read my comment if you wanna know how a REAL "INDIAN" feels.

[@barneyronnie]

@@ShadeRaven222 I'm proud of my Native heritage. My Great Grandmother was full blooded Apache.

[@codyvanpatten3686]

@@ShadeRaven222 as a native I laugh at you

[@austindenotter19]

@@barneyronnie nobody cares

[@brunobucciaratiswife]

As a child of the Natives this one hits close to home. Please protect our earth.

[@kurosame96]

You mean Native Italians.... right?

[@Somebody-Somewhere-]

@@kurosame96 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA🤣

[@Somebody-Somewhere-]

You know? You can always start with the man in the mirror.

[@Breeze-xr3cn]

​@@kurosame96😂😅😭😂😭 right 😭😂😇

[@Iohannis42]

​@@Somebody-Somewhere-And asking him to change his ways

[@gogogo39]

My father was a kind person, but I remember him throwing trash out the car window around the time this was made. Littering was widespread. I am glad that messaging like this was effective and helped bring people to their senses.

[@Reticence9zen924]

There's a scene in an early series of Mad Men in which a family has a picnic and leaves their rubbish behind. I think it must have been scripted in to show how different the 60s was.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

@@Reticence9zen924definitely was done on purpose to give us the audience a bit of a culture shock

[@JohnnyinMN]

I am one person that still vividly remembers this ad. Do not care the ethnicity of the actor, but the message. To this day I still do not litter and recycle as much as possible. Wish this ad could come back (sigh), but we’ve become more ‘enlightened.’

[@danielgregg2530]

An absolutely iconic moment of the era. This is very much what "the sixties" was all about.

[@spitfirered]

I so remember this commercial 50 years later, thanks for sharing!

[@andrewfurst5711]

Brilliant commercial. Jarring and shocking, the way it transitions from beautiful and pristine to trashy, careless, inconsiderate. If you lived in USA in the early 1970's, you not only saw this ad (it was as ubiquitous as the "My Pillow" ads are today) but you were moved by it, you remember it to this day, and you almost certainly are careful with your trash as a result of seeing this. A lot of ads just want you to "buy buy buy", this ad made you want to be a better person and respect the environment. It absolutely worked, and it deserved to work. The commercial also showed the old ways of "American Indians" (aka "Native Americans") in a positive and respectful way, something that may have been lacking prior to that time (in fairness it was a mixed bag back then, respect given at times, but not always). So while the main purpose was to get people to stop littering, it served a second purpose as well. And the fact that actor "Iron Eyes Cody" wasn't actually of American Indian ancestry (which wasn't known at the time the ad was filmed or shown) didn't matter as far as the effectiveness of the ad.

[@gotham61]

I once worked for Marsteller, the advertising agency that created this commercial. It won a bunch of prizes, and was a real source of pride for the company.

[@danielel1874]

This commercial has always had a huge impact on me. I read a few minutes ago that it may be leaving, that it may be pulled from showing. I hope not. I still come back and watch it periodically because I think it's so beautiful and the message is so deep.

[@24sweetroller7]

Along with Iron Eyes Cody. I liked the voiceover by William Conrad. He was the voice of Matt Dillon on the radio version of Gunsmoke, the narrator on those Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon adventures, and played on the TV series, Cannon along with Jake and The Fat Man, another detective series.

[@danielgregg2530]

Bill Conrad was a kind of icon himself.

[@therealeikichionizuka]

Every time I see the tear come to his eye, one comes to mine, too.

[@familystone773]

Nostalgia is powerful, this was a part of my childhood. Wouldn't change it for nothing..

[@aureliav1171]

This came on all the time when I was little. They should really show it again. Very powerful.

[@tedpert8786]

Remember vividly this commercial and will never forget it till my dying day!

[@ernestobardwell146]

I Used to See Him On TV Before I Went to School In the morning 👍 Stay safe 🙏😇 Nyc

[@zacharysmith4787]

I'd love to see a remastered version of this.

[@Oreca2005]

Well there’s a Jesus version of this but uh.. yeah have the same audio like this is so it’s still kinda retro

[@626Late]

@F KZbin Sorry to hear that but It was for a good cause and it did affect many people. Yes its far from today's standards but It had a good message.

[@chaindog82]

yeah, with Jack Black playing the indian

[@lightpropulsionguy]

A modern version where the dude who plays mayham pulls up to the Indian and throws trash at his feet and the Indian jerks him out the car and scalps him...

[@saesnaughtyprincess]

With an actual native this time

[@bethclark9319]

I remembered this commercial and I actually asked my parents for a stamp so I could get the booklet and my parents said "yes and then my father told me " Just to let you know that man is not a real (American Indian) now we say Native American he just paid to be one he's an actor." Then I asked for two stamps and he asked why, so I could write Hollywood and tell them to use a real Native American." He laughed and said "ok. A couple of yrs. later I met the Late Marlon Brando and I helped him on numerous projects for the Native Americans. Sad to say " They still need so much help especially with COVID-19 they are dying faster and they have more deaths than us African American and no one is telling their story.

[@khismet]

Funny how one memory can trigger many others. As I watched this upload my mind drifted back to 1978 and I was in the car with my Dad. As we drove down the highway we encountered the AIM movement of the Longest Walk headed toward DC and I recall watching the faces of the American Indians as we drove past them. I felt a curious attachment to these faces, as a child, I didn't understand why I was experiencing those feelings of connection.. maybe it was deep compassion🧡❤🧡 RIP Russell Means. Respect✊🏽

[@margaretmccall7726]

@Paul Kersey You need to make your desire to be referred to as First Nation People known on a national level. The word "Indian" needs to be done away with permanently in connection to the indigenous people of the Americas because Columbus misidentified your people when he met them. The only true Indians come from the Asian country of India, and are in no way connected to the First Nation People. Make the name change known and consistent, and other people will respect that. NOW what about my tribal rights as a black woman whose grand mother was a dark skinned First Nation person? What happened to the AIM movement? You must give the respect to others, if you wish to be respected as well. May Russel Means be blessed by the Father in the Sky. 🙏🌹

[@indigop38]

“ I met the late marlin Brando”. Was Brando already late when you met him?

[@calvinmurry1096]

So true. I remember Leonard Peltier. We corresponded a few times. He wanted black Americans to join the Native American protests. I was having a hard time with fellow black revolutionaries who were hung up on Africa.

[@34Jazzi]

B1, B ONLY WE NEED TO TELL THE SO CALL AFRICAN AMERICAN STORY!!! Why would I want to tell anybody else story or put myself out there for them . I dont care about their story , but MY OWN! WE WAS CREATED 1ST BY THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH SO THAT MAKES US INDIGENOUS TO THE EARTH, period!

[@robertorick6383]

I was only three years old when I saw this on television, and it still strikes a nerve in me 50 years later. The music is by Peter Sarstedt, and is titled "As Though It Were A Movie (Overture)" from 1969. The actor, while not a real Native American, still brings a tear to my eye.

[@pauld7043]

Thank you for the information regarding the music!

[@Tornado1994]

@@pauld7043 His Grandfather was Native American.

[@tedpert8786]

Must replay this commercial it’s invaluable!

[@ricaard]

This commercial needs waaaaay more views!

[@samuelgriffin4167]

Released on Earth Day 1971 after 50 years airing this commercial on television now it's iconic

[@richardcoreno]

One of the most powerful PSAs ever produced.

[@j.503]

It's a classic.

[@R-L-I]

I was like 5 years old but I still remember this, wow.

[@tombaker6082]

People in here making a big deal of an actor in a commercial playing an Indian like Ed Aames wasn't a Jewish man playing Mingo on Daniel Boone. Who cares? This commercial made me sad as a child and I learned not to litter. It still gives me goosebumps today. Whoever the actor was, and William Conrad's voiceover did their job better than a lot of parents.

[@sharon1704]

50+ years later I still do not litter & recycle due to the impact this commercial has regardless of this mans heritage

[@HarperShawn-xu3en]

Hello👋 how are you doing?

[@kellynorvell5714]

An Absolute Classic! Can't believe this was 50 years ago!

[@mhenhawke5093]

No kidding Kelly,it makes me feel old .Lol.

[@plymouth491]

Clearly, the lesson didn't stick.

[@kennethhuang371]

WHEN IRON EYES CODY SHED HIS FIRST TEAR , KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL INSTANTLY BROUGHT HIM WORLDWIDE FAME; RESULTING IN 2 AD SEQUELS… WHICH ALSO SAW HIM SHED A TEAR. PEOPLE STILL START POLLUTION, BUT THEY CAN STOP IT! Kenneth Huang 5/8/23.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

I remember this commercial well😷😤😔

[@blakematthews9694]

Anytime my friend saw litter on the ground he'd always say somewhere there's an Indian crying

[@IRgEEK]

That commercial was hugely impactful on me as a Kid. You couldn't help but reconsider tossing a piece of litter out your window because of this commercial. A pity the commercial medium largely ignores important matters these days. We could use it as people young and old litter without a thought these days. Seems like every time I pump gas I'm picking up litter all around the pumps. Thank you for posting this.

[@KingBean904]

I haven't seen this since I was a kid.

[@rkooyers]

I see you. I’m from another dimension. Do you see me yet?

[@BelzebubsTube]

@@rkooyers I do.....🤨😈

[@rebeccadavila6603]

He felt in his soul,that he was an Indian

[@kingporter67]

This is the most powerful, strongest and very important commercial about pollution, I want to keep America beautiful, plus, I remember this 1970 commercial when I was just five years old and this commercial made me stop littering the streets!!

[@generalzod5944]

The full bag of food being thrown at his feet was priceless.

[@oliverandersonjr668]

I was 5yrs at that time and I still remember this .

[@keithgraham4747]

The message is a good one. The "irony" of Iron Eyes Cody is his name was/is Espera Oscar de Corti and was of Sicilian ancestry.

[@DougMold]

0:22 its only a matter of time until a famous rapper samples this

[@josael28tnz]

What rapper?

[@IronEagleMath]

I REMEMBER seeing this commercial for the very first time when I was 6 years old. (FIFTY YEARS AGO) It is extremely powerful, emotional and seemingly TRUTHFUL! This ONE MINUTE commercial has colored my: attitudes, beliefs, actions, and thinking for FIFTY YEARS. Unfortunately the PURPOSE of this commercial is to divert attention away from the ORIGIN of the pollution and focus on the people who throw the trash on the ground instead of the trash can / recycle bin so that the companies who sponsor (M.A.B.) can continue to lobby in FAVOR on non-reusable PLASTIC containers.

[@mojomike]

the caption says its from 1970 but I swear I remember it from later in the 70s? i was only 2 in 1970 and remembered it vividly

[@tkhdakota]

I don't believe the intent of he commercial was to divert attention from corporation and the origin of pollution. You see an Indian canoeing in a clean lake or river. As an American Indian comes into view of an overgrown industrialized city, it shows a city that is overgrown, no animals in sight, no trees, grass has been covered by concrete. When you view the commercial you see smoke stacks in the background, polluting the air, and as was done back then no doubt pouring waste into a river, stream, or lake. Either way, whether it's a company owned by people or it's individual humans, they are polluting the air, water, etc.

[@crumdoggy]

We need something similar now. Pollution and litter on the side of the road has gone through the roof. Worse than the 70s.

[@cpman1987]

Damn! I remember this commercial! 50 years ago!!! R.I.P Iron Eyes Cody (born Espera Oscar de Corti, April 3, 1904 - January 4, 1999)

[@omarsiddiqui8069]

Iconic commercial from my early childhood in the 70s through early 80s. I remember it so vividly.

[@debbiefulton1001]

I was 10 years old. I remember this clearly. Broke my heart then. As it does still!

[@HarperShawn-xu3en]

Hello👋 how are you doing?

[@monkeyshake3508]

Those Italians are so emotional.

[@viralbuthow000]

Iconic PSA.

[@trulovegirl]

oh man, this commercial takes be back so far to my childhood

[@sindeekaye2223]

I remember being a very young child and seeing this. It made a huge impact. To this day, I can’t even bring myself to toss a piece of chewed gum out the car window. ☹️ This needs to be re-played in 2021.

[@KlipschHead281]

Exactly! This commercial hit us hard in the 70's. To this day I don't litter and when I see something laying on the ground I pick it up, the thing I see on the ground the most these days are masks, people just toss them onto the ground, disgusting.

[@brendencarlson5220]

Unfortunately most of the people today that claim they are concerned with the environment are the same ones that would insist this not be shown because he wasn’t a “real Indian.”

[@melissabyrd1310]

I agree, i just put this on my facebook page. This commercial needs put back on tv.

[@nvmoondevotee28yrsago48]

@@brendencarlson5220Why does it have to be the same commercial? Nothing wrong with recreating this commercial & adding a modern twist & with an actual indigenous, is there?

[@brendencarlson5220]

@@nvmoondevotee28yrsago48 It doesn’t. But this was a well made PSA for its time. I was pointed out irony, that’s all.

[@joycecintron2572]

I remember that commercial! Loved that guy! I just found out tonight he is not a native Indian. But, that's okay for it left an impact on me and thousands of others to this day.

[@HarperShawn-xu3en]

Hello👋 how are you doing?

[@abelmantor7557]

Even though this commercial was waaaaay before my time, it really speaks to me.

[@kathleena5687]

This commercial should be aired on TV again. Teach young people to throw their garbage in trash cans.

[@HarperShawn-xu3en]

Hello👋 how are you doing?

[@toddmiller5884]

I was five or six when this commercial first aired. Scared the living doodoo out of me! The omnious musical score, the factory belching gasses into the air, William Conrad voice over! Gave me nightmares!

[@522jlg]

This commercial scared the heck out of me when I was 5 years old too. I screamed when I heard the music and couldn't stand it. I would close my eyes and cover my ears when it came on. It was too much for a young kid !!

[@dutchbrotherfan1284]

We grew up in Elk Grove Ca. And I was at least 8 years old with 5 other siblings quarter Cherokee and I remember my mom impressing upon us to never liter. Because not only this but Woodsie owl who gave a hoot don’t pollute. It really made an impression on me as my car alway had trash in it. Thanks mom

[@Nobodyreallyatall]

This ad actually was successful in changing attitudes, it used to be much more common for people to literally throw trash along highways, waterways, woods, and fields without a care. People didn't care if they littered in public areas, it wasn't hurting "anybody". Now most people think of using trashcans., they didn't 50 years ago.

[@sydward6135]

I can't imagine how bad it must've been. I was a forest ranger and spent a lot of time roadside delittering. So. Much. Trash. I really thought most people didn't litter anymore but unfortunately it's still a big problem

[@fortitudevalance8424]

You should see London. My god the place is a disgusting tip, the M4 motorway outside Heathrow airport the side of the road is like a fucking landfill.

[@BelzebubsTube]

Been to a democRAT run city lately?🤔🤨 Back then it was paper trash, some plastic, beer cans.🤔 Now its used syringes, crack pipes & dead bodies.🤨 Perhap we REAL Native Americans could help raise awareness again 🤔..... .....if you hadn't killed most of us.🤨😒🙄👿

[@joeytrimble1558]

Yeah and it's only gotten better too I see a major difference in littering from when I grew up in the 90s and now ...like it's continually gotten better

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

A very powerful PSA and my favorite. I use it in my classroom with my sixth graders using SS standards. It seems to me that we lost the ability to make these great PSA productions.

[@agentprime2179]

"Do yourself a favor, don't turn around" " BWAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" "I told you not to turn around".

[@sigmamale7241]

This commercial hit home with me, the first time that I saw this when it aired in the early 70's!

[@TheKy47]

So many actors playing every ethnicity but their own in Hollyweird

[@NeurospicyBitch88]

Archer said it best: "Hollywood was weird with the whole race thing back then". Examples: Amos and Andy were white, Charlie Chan was always played by a white person, there was Mickey Rooney's unfortunate performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the guy who played Tonto in the original Lone Ranger Radio Program was of Irish descent. So yeah

[@KelleyNicholson]

I remember being a little girl watching this commercial and now that I'm a grown woman I understand it now I didnt really understand it back then

[@heywoodyablowme9886]

I feel the same way here in Southern New Jersey cuz people like the litter and I go around and pick it up cuz it makes me feel good cuz it feels like the right thing to do

[@benitanichols8136]

I was even moved by this commercial when it aired while I was in elementary school.

[@africanamerican1818]

Vaguely remember this from my youth years ( born in 70). The commercial was played throughout the decade and I think the message was understood in my mind at that time. Sad because man has barely taken heed - even though the environmental signs are showing, and scientists warn us, there's still a nonchalant attitude about it

[@jodibrooklyn1033]

I just read that this PSA will never be shown again because it "pushes hurtful tropes and stereotypes." While I am sure that this is a valid point, I don't think any of us who grew up seeing this PSA on TV felt that way. To me, the message was that this land has always belonged to the Native American people, and that the rest of us are destroying it. For me, it sent (and still sends) a very powerful message. I have never forgotten it, and the message was received. I never littered as a child, nor do I as an adult. In a way it is very sad that this PSA has been deemed as offensive, and that the very strong message it sent has been overlooked. It's not about the headdress or the canoe. It's about respecting this country and those who it truly belongs to.

[@Beardman29]

I remember as a kid growing up in Southern California in the 70s, people used to regularly throw trash out of the car window. Stuff like food or fast food wrappings. Crazy!

[@greenfroppy212]

One of the most classic PSA’s of all time

[@armywife2248]

He is not a Native American, but he chose to actually live his life as one and denied his own heritage. His married a Native American woman and they adopted 2 Native American children.

[@majangarano5213]

Interesting!

[@StaxRiley]

He was what is now commonly referred to as a "pretendian." But at least he did some good for the world in his own way. This commercial was so iconic when it first aired that it led to a noticeable reduction in littering across America.

[@funfair-bs7wf]

I was not even born when this commercial was first aired, but still it struke me with so much strength that my mother did a miscariage.

[@paulajones4225]

Oh the memories I love watching old commercials do you the coke commercial when they all sing I like to teach the world

[@africanamerican1818]

Like the whole world 🌎 joined in and started singing along Born in 70, will never forget that one

[@keving52002]

Im 50 years old, i remember this commercial when i was a kid.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

A great commercial that got somewhat over shadowed by the controversy concerning the non Native actor playing the role of a Native America...still a very effective commercial that gets its message across in a very thought provoking manner. Just wonder why they couldn't have used a real Native American in the role??

[@tom11zz884]

No different than Whites complaining about Blacks playing roles like Annie OR THE Little mermaid...LOL

[@magg2636]

@@tom11zz884 Pretty sure it's not just white people that are complaining. I'm not personally (Even though I'm only half white), I think the actor for the Live Action Little Mermaid was the literal perfect role, she looks exactly like Ariel just a different race.

[@AbandonedVoid]

I'm pretty sure the bigger issue is that the commercial portrays Native Americans as savages rather than... you know, also driving around in cars?

[@kataisa3]

@@AbandonedVoid I don't think anybody who saw that commercial back in the 70s walked away from it thinking natives were "savages".

[@dr.winstonsmith]

Because nobody cared about this woke nonsense in the 70s. He was an actor who nailed the part and made a huge ongoing impact.

[@cherict3400]

I was a kid and it had a huge impact on me!

[@ProjectDystopia]

Before the internet, there were many Iron Eyes Codys; you could just move away and become someone new. Now, that's difficult to do.

[@hilaryapril7043]

I remember this commercial ...I was 21 working about a mile from Radio City station. Very sad the planet is trashed. We had such hopes for the future.

[@ShieldArc200]

The corporations and politicians stole it from us.

[@monsterworkscorp]

Vought's commercial brought me here.

[@Fuckencioo]

REFERENCIAAAAAAAAA

[@mz4876]

A long life of value and with purpose. May the sun never set on your legacy. RIP

[@jamals.8786]

Seeing this reminds me of that episode of The Sopranos when a leader of a Native American activist group was in shocked once discovering the actor in this commercial was Italian American 😂

[@Bigwaffel98]

"its like finding out James Caan isn't Italian"

[@revotrupin7477]

This commercial impacted me too as a kid. So much so I just searched it on youtube. Glad to see others felt the same.

[@LordGreystoke]

Commercial gets flack for the actor playing an Indian and it was also sponsored by sugar beverage companies who were trying to make consumers feel bad for buying their products! But in the end, it did impact those of us who were growing up as children when we first saw it. And the importance of recycling and preventing our environment from getting trashed has never left me and those of us who have a conscience.

[@tomdolan8811]

It’s actually NOT a commercial! It’s a Public Service Announcement❗️(PSA)

[@linuswilliams5897]

I dont know if he's a real native but I got the message.❤Keep 🇺🇸Clean

[@dlittle39dl]

He's Not.......He Has Sicilian Anscestry........🙂💯👍🏾

[@kathynegrich7893]

Exactly, that's the whole point of this message.. I've never littered and it really bothers me when I see people doing it.

[@nnoncan2319]

Look Pass the racial injustice... get the message and pass it on. Still powerful today. Just sent it to my young nephew...

[@ivanhoeivanhoe810]

Redface, yellowface, and brownface were sadly still common through the 70s. In this case, according to Wikipedia, the actor may have deceived Hollywood into believing he was Indigenous, but it's unlikely the producers of this PSA really cared one way or the other. Even Norman Lear cast a Greek-American actor for a stereotypical Indigenous character in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" in 1976.

[@wegfarir1963]

Yeah yeah yeah, muh raesism

[@kennethstephens41]

Hollywood used many Italians for American Indians because they did not to employ real American Indians. The Italian Coal Miners of Southeastern Oklahoma had mixed blood in some cases. Americans there do not consider Italians caucasians but Hispanics.

[@ulcmusic1808]

Who cares? He was an actor, he played a part. That's what actors do.

[@strnglhld]

@@ulcmusic1808 He legally changed his name and made up an entire fake back story. Not just playing acting parts lmao

[@strnglhld]

@@wegfarir1963 Silence

[@FreshAirRules]

I remember this and it was one of the first messages that got me thinking about the environment in general. So thank you for that.

[@virginia574]

That's just how I feel.

[@drewpall2598]

You might like these two songs by Donovan. "Operating Manual For Spaceship Earth" Donovan 1973 La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all bout those do's and don'ts. Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all bout those do's and don'ts. Do be kind to your vegetable friends, You are the gardener of Earth garden. Do be kind to your animal friends, You are the keeper of Earth zoo. La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all bout those do's and don'ts. Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all bout those do's and don'ts. Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all about those do's and don'ts. Operating manual for Spaceship earth, Read all bout those do's and don'ts. Don't pour filth into rivers, Rivers are like the blood in our veins. Don't pour filth into the air, Air is the best thing that we can breathe. La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la We're on a spaceship, You may not think so. We're on a spaceship And here we go. Don't pour filth into rivers, Rivers are like the blood in our veins. Don't pour filth into the air, Air is the best thing that we can breathe. La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la We're on a spaceship, You may not think so. We're on a spaceship And here we go. "Diggin' The Future Now" Donovan 2019 Just give me some of your love, babe Just give me some of your love Can you see the ice-cap melt? Can you see the ice-cap melt? Can you see the ice-cap melt? Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Can you see the ocean rise? Can you see the ocean rise? Can you see the ocean rise? Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now This is the BBC The polar ice-cap is indeed melting And in an unprecedented move And the Security Council of the United Nations Has declared global warming A crime against humanity Hello, Houston, we're over South America now Wow! We can see the Amazon forest burning Can you see the forest burn? Can you see the forest burn? Can you see the forest burn? Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Diggin' the future now Do you wanna change it now? Do you wanna change it now? Do you wanna change it now? Just give me some of your love Just give me some of your love, babe Just give me some of your love Just give me some of your love, babe Just give me some of your love If you just give me some of your love Just give me some of your love Just give me some of your love, babe Just give me some of your love If you just give me some of your love

[@jaymillymills]

Didn't Dave Chapelle do a piece that referenced this commercial? 😆

[@rugerrillo5311]

I just noticed that

[@rzta8209]

He said to prove someone was native he threw some trash on the ground & a single tear came out of the guy’s eye 🤣

[@fredconcklin1094]

Wtf is juice?

[@kellygray5015]

The "WTF is juice" comment has my dying laughing. Chappell rules and so did that commercial and the impact it had on all us 70s kids

[@robbiesdad1]

it's funny the things you remember from when you were a kid, I was about 8 when this one came out, my dad who was like 3/4 Native American, i always thought that he look like Iron Eyes Cody, and the guy was not Native but at 8 yrs old you didn't think about those things. But He Did have a Big impact on me, to this day, i still will put over if i have trash in my car, when i see a trash can. at the end of the commercial, when the tear would roll down his face, i would cry too.

[@Joeki11a]

Not even REAL NATIVE, this was some Italian actor

[@epersonmusic]

Such a shame..

[@lemurianchick]

@@epersonmusic Snowflake sez wut? 🙄

[@viralbuthow000]

Yeah, because a real Native would've told those folks to back to Europe and take that garbage with you.

[@heathertea2704]

Yep. BS on 💯

[@bnfox]

@@lemurianchick shut up

[@darwynmead2597]

Might have been one of the best commercials during that time.