This. People can't wear outfit that are inspired by other culture anymore? As Chinese, I don't see anything wrong with the Dargon outfit AT All. Not like they are mocking the culture....

Even at the least that you've assumed people do, bitching about it on the internet, making a fuss, getting people to understand what is going on is better than doing nothing or worse, denying it's happening or belittling those who are trying to have conversations about it.

But I'm not sure why you think the people being affected are not the ones to complain about this. Did you read the OP, it quotes Helin Jung.

misplaced anger?
does nothing for black people?

So the anger should not be on white people stealing black culture as they always have?
So people should just let it happen because that will help?

Right because when there are women, people of colour, legal immigrants, muslims, members of the LGBTQ+ community and more about to face possibly awful laws against them, what really matters is ... wait, what is it you're happy about exactly?

You realize Trump winning doesn't make this stuff go away? If anything it'll amplify it. If anything you're going to hear about it more. So feel happy if you want, feel validated that the candidate the KKK approves of was elected, but it's not in any way a win for people not wanting to hear about things like cultural appropriation.

!!!

I am very against appropriation, and I don't really feel that this is a majorly offensive instance. However I know I am not the keeper of that information, it's not for me to decide. But appropriation has been proven to be a major issue. So I think anyone who is committed against ending racism should be looking at this with an open, not closed mind.

If we come in and say, "THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATION! WHY CAN'T WE JUST STOP WITH THIS!" that is silencing the real, important instances where appropriation is harmful.

Racism comes in many forms, overt and invert, major and minor. There is a spectrum and we can't just say that because its on the low end it doesn't matter.

The learning we should gain from this is, "okay I maybe don't think its appropriation but we need to always make sure if we are taking from other cultures to be wise about it, respectful and honour it appropriately so that people are not offended or get the wrong idea."

In this case, trying to sell lingerie with cultural markers is rubbing some people the wrong way. That's completely valid to feel that.

Everything is offensive to someone. Get over it, and stop letting what people think get in the way.

This wasn't blackface, this wasn't a swastika, this wasn't an american indian headdress (which I frankly think are beautiful and should be used more)

okay.

You're writing quite a long dissertation on your views regarding this.

Lots of us don't think this is cultural appropriation, but you seem to. Cool, we can agree to disagree.

You're down for the fight? Cool, I'll continue living my life how it is, and live my life as a happier individual because every little thing does not offend me.

Other cultures are beautiful, and I will not restrict what I wear or do because someone else, like yourself, deems it offensive. If I want to wear a kimono? I will do so. You don't like it? Unclench a little.

The point is that yes, native headdresses are beautiful. They are gorgeous. They are stunning pieces of a culture but they are being misused by white people in the drunken setting of festivals, party-culture and generally just trying to look cute and earthy. Do you not see the line between colonialism, the genocide of native populations, the forced assimilation to western culture in Resident Schools, the stolen land (which is still an issue they are still facing today with Standing Rock?) and the many negative, derogatory depictions of them in popular culture? The robbing of their cultural artifacts for the pleasure and amusement of American festival-goers is not a tribute. If it were, then they would not wear it because you'd know the true meaning behind these headdresses.

You've also assumed a lot though. Who said people who complain about offending cultures (especially marginalized ones) are not happy people with overall happy lives? Are only the miserable allowed to discuss the issues that racism poses in the world?

If you want to wear a native headdress, go right ahead. But wake up to the reality of the message you're painting by wearing it. Maybe you should clench a bit because you're just spewing feces with this rationale.

Y'all so damn dumb. Stealing from a culture without crediting them is wrong, obviously.

It's clear that this lingerie is Chinese inspired. Do they need to walk the runway with poster boards saying (Credit to the Chinese)?

Explain to me, please, what dragging Kylie Jenner on twitter for wearing cornrows will do for black women who are discriminated at workplaces for wearing them? Go on, sis. Maybe it would've been more logical to drag employers who actually discriminate black women and have impact on their everyday lifes, no? About that stealing culture thing: you're writing in a white language using white inventions and I assume that you don't have a note on your forehead saying that you're using white inventions because I am under impression that people of your mindset expect that of white people each time they use some part of "your culture".

I feel like the thing is it's never the actual race or ethnicity that is offended...

This is so simple.

What does addressing appropriation actually do?

Dragging Kylie Jenner, one of the most talked about, visible and influential celebrities of our time for appropriating a black culture (specifically, wearing a black hairstyle which black women are ridiculed while she gains cool-points) raises awareness as to the ways that black culture is being taken by white society, used as a joke or to look edgy while black people suffer under it. When a black woman wears certain styles it's 'ghetto', when a white girl does it, it's trendy. How many people were talking about appropriation because of this? How many people learnt about it? How many people will take this lesson and be more mindful with the images they put on their body? Even if it's a couple it's doing some good. For the black women discriminated against, this likely will make them feel heard, validated and understood. Do you honestly think everyone clapping for Kylie is going to make black women feel better about being discriminated against for the same thing?

NEXT up: White Inventions!

First, let's just clear up some things for you. Not everything in America was invented by white people. English for example, has tons of words whose origins come from Sanskrit. The lightbulb's filament was invented by a black man (Lewis Latimer). The colour computer was invented by a black man (Dr. Mark E. Dean) who also invented a processing chip that helped in making the fast personal computers we have today. A Nigerian man (Dr. Philip Emeagwali) created the world's fastest computer at one point. The first person to make a successful internet connection was half-black (Tim Berners-Lee). And there are countless more examples. So before you go on about "white inventions", think a bit about what you mean by that and what message it says when you automatically assume that we're all where we are thanks to white inventors.

Now, as to what you just said. It makes no sense. I know your example is supposed to be a nonsensical statement trying to prove that if POC don't have to thank their white saviours then why should white people thank the POC cultures they are taking from? Well, that just doesn't hold up because white culture is the dominant one in America. If you do not conform, you can face ridicule and hatred (see: well, many documented examples of immigrants facing xenophobia). As well, most POC are actually born in America and so their first language is English, they use whatever "white" inventions they want because it is part of the culture they were born into and that is natural to them. Comparing that to a white person putting on elements of culture as a costume, as a way to gain edge, is not the same at all.

Any questions?

Again, that's it?

Alessandra Ambrosio is white (German origin) and so are most of those Brazilian models.

And no, mixed race people who can pass as "exotic" white people don't really count.

This. I'm so sick of it

I'm dying. Why not. It that will soothe the sensitive. I mean, the outrage would make more sense to me if VC was actually trying to sell the gotdamn dragon...

alright i checked the cast list on wikipedia and looked them ALL up and here we have it

White: 33 models (65%)
Lily Aldridge
Alessandra Ambrosio
Lily Donaldson
Grace Elizabeth
Barbara Fialho
Georgia Fowler
Izabel Goulart
Kate Grigorieva
Luma Grothe
Bella Hadid
Gigi Hadid
Rachel Hilbert
Taylor Marie Hill
Elsa Hosk
Martha Hunt
Kendall Jenner
Valery Kaufman
Maggie Laine
Adriana Lima
Keke Lindgard
Flavia Lucini
Bridget Malcolm
Stella Maxwell
Lais Oliveira
Brooke Perry
Camille Rowe
Sara Sampaio
Irina Shayk
Josephine Skriver
Romee Strijd
Sanne Vloet
Megan Williams
Devon Windsor

Black: 11 models (22%)
Leomie Anderson
Maria Borges
Cindy Bruna
Lameka Fox
Herieth Paul
Jourdana Phillips
Lais Ribeiro
Joan Smalls
Zuri Tibby
Jasmine Tookes
Kelly Gale

Asian: 4 models (8%)
Sui He
Xiao Wen Ju
Liu Wen
Ming Xi

Couldn't tell: 3 models (6%)
Janiece Dilone
Alanna Arrington
Daniela Braga

Victoria's Secret is an American company. In America white people make up 72% of the population, black people make up 13% of the population, Asian people make up 5% of the population. You can compare those numbers to the racial representation at the VSFS and decide if it's good enough for you!

I've said from Day 1 that spending the energy attacking more blatant racism before appropriation first might help.

Going after Victoria's Secret seems too first world and convenient but that's just me.

The merits of mockery vs. tribute are a separate conversation.