Kevin Hart defends son's cowboy-and-Indians-themed birthday party after it was deemed 'harmful'

Hart has spoken out after he and his wife celebrated their son Enzo's first birthday with a cowboy-and-Indians-themed bash

Kevin Hart attends the WSJ Tech D.Live at Montage Laguna Beach on 13 November, 2018 in Laguna Beach, California. ((Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Wall Street Journal and WSJ. Magazine))

Kevin Hart has defended his child’s birthday party after many accused the cowboy-and-Indians-themed event of perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Hart and his wife Eniko celebrated their son Enzo’s first birthday last week. The mother posted photos of the party on her Instagram account, showing guests wearing costumes in accordance with the theme.

Enzo’s birthday cake was decorated with teepees, and the little boy wore a cowboy outfit.

Many social media users found the theme offensive to Native Americans and shared their opinions on Twitter and Instagram.

“I’m disappointed in you and your husband for your choice to perpetuate harmful stereotypes of Native people,” one person wrote.

“Your son will endure the racism of this country and so will mine. Why contribute to that struggle? Please educate yourself, reach out to an authentic Native American tribe / organisation and ask why it’s harmful?”

Another person accused the theme of celebrating ”genocide, white supremacy, and slavery”.

There are currently 573 federally recognised Indian Nations in the US.

In recent years, movements such as the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline have exemplified Native Americans’ efforts to protect their heritage and land.

Hart responded to the criticism on his Sirius XM show Straight from the Hart, which aired as part of his Laugh Out Loud radio channel.

"Keep in mind, the same day the Cowboys played the Redskins on TV. It’s a very known fact," Hart said in reference to the football teams hailing from Dallas and Washington respectively.

"The reason why I’m even bringing this dumb s*** up is because it shows just how stupid our world is becoming with opinions. People are at a point of an all-time high."

Native organisations have campaigned for a name change on the Redskins’ part, arguing that the current team name promotes a racial slur.

Hart referred to children’s games in his defence of the birthday party’s theme, insisting it was an innocent choice.

"So as a kid, when you played these games, it was based off of the premise from a hypothetical place that was put into perception for movies," he said.

"So what I’m saying – this isn’t something that was just started. This isn’t a racial slur that people are doing and being malicious with. This is a game that’s been played for years.”