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Celeb News: Kotaku: Katy Perry's Geisha Act Being Called "Racist"
Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 15,264
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Kotaku: Katy Perry's Geisha Act Being Called "Racist"
Quote:
Katy Perry's Geisha Act Being Called "Racist"
BRIAN ASHCRAFT on KOTAKUCULTURE SMASH
During tonight's American Music Awards, Katy Perry showed up dressed in a Japanese kimono. Or in a Chinese cheongsam. Or both, actually. Some folks online aren't happy about that at all.
And because of that, some are calling Perry's performance racist. One Twitter user (via The Huffington Post) said Perry "nailed the traditionally ignorant costume of a white pop singer." Another also asked, "why are you dressed like a geisha katy perry. why. for what. #thisisracist like horribly obviously racist." [SIC]
Other sites like Twitchy pointed out more individuals who thought the whole thing seemed racist—while others didn't at all. Psychology Today even had an explainer as to why her performance was, in fact, racist.
What's the fuss? Perry, who is apparently a Japanophile, dressed up for her "Unconditionally" performance, which mixed and matched Japanese and Chinese culture as if it were a Pan-Asian buffet.
For example, Kimonos don't have exposed chests or slits at the sides, and they are hard to dance about in. The collar and the fit of the dress is more cheongsam than kimono. Yet, the print, the sleeves, the bow, and the hair accessories appear Japanese-influenced. Here is a Japanese kimono:
It feels like someone decided to use a cheongsam for a Japanese-themed performance, simply because it was easier to move around in.
This melding of Chinese and Japanese culture as if they were one monolith seems incredibly common in the West, and if you are familiar with the culture differences throughout Asia, it's something you certainly notice. Then, there were some who didn't like that Perry, who is not Asian, dressed up in Asian-inspired garb.
But, as someone who lives in Japan, I see a similar mix and matching with Western culture all the time as well as seemingly endless appropriation of foreign cultures for entertainment purposes. That doesn't make it right or okay, but it shows that this isn't only an American thing or a white thing or whatever.
This is borrowing something lock stock for the way it looks. Some might call this racist. Others might say it's superficial.
But what do people in Japan think? "Everything about that performance was beautiful" wrote one Japanese Twitter user. "So cute," wrote another. "This makes me so happy," chimed in another.P
While the majority of the comments on Twitter (and there still aren't that many) seems fairly positive, there were those who were amused or simply disapproved. "Guess this is an Asian mix," wrote one Japanese Twitter user. "I have no idea why she wore a kimono with a China dress," wrote another. "For hairy, white Americans, I guess it doesn't mater which is which."
Things could get interesting when Japan's largest online forum, 2ch, which is known to have more conservative leanings, catches wind of how Perry combined Japanese and Chinese imagery and dress.
Source: http://kotaku.com/katy-perrys-geisha...st-1470995646?
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Bear in mind I'm not bashing Katy, I just wanted to discuss the article... I don't think it is racism to wear an outfit, but the cultural appropriation is wrong here. I still feel it was the most stunning performance of the night!
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Member Since: 5/4/2012
Posts: 12,811
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wtf is Japanophelia? Were just making up words now lol.
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Member Since: 11/9/2011
Posts: 17,831
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I agree it was disrespectful
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 11,649
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Unintentionally racist  The visuals were nice but I could tell people would be upset.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 1,336
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The visuals were stunning, but I knew it would cause an issue. It's kind of similar to performing in 'black-face'.
That being said, some people are too easily offended 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 4,564
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what bothers me more is that she performed it in white socks  either you perform with white socks AND geta shoes or you just do it barefeet or with heels. It looked tasteless.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 11,649
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Quote:
Originally posted by Big Smoke
wtf is Japanophelia? Were just making up words now lol.
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Here
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Member Since: 2/26/2012
Posts: 9,914
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The person who asked if Katy had an Asian frustration was right after all.  Get the controversy legend.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,517
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I just think it looked embarrassing
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Banned
Member Since: 6/15/2011
Posts: 6,134
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Welp, cant say i didnt see it coming.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,079
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Who would have thought it wouldn't be Miley or Gaga to bring the controversy factor? Get that controversy, sis.
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Banned
Member Since: 6/15/2011
Posts: 6,134
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Quote:
Originally posted by 2stupid4you
what bothers me more is that she performed it in white socks either you perform with white socks AND geta shoes or you just do it barefeet or with heels. It looked tasteless. |
It doesnt mean anything really you only need to wear them when you're like walking outside.
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Member Since: 11/20/2011
Posts: 3,275
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I can see why it would be problematic. It sort of reminds me of Rih's Princess of China video. I remember when she tweeted that it was "Gangsta Goth Geisha," but it was supposed to be Princess of CHINA, and she was dragged for that. Many were pointing out the inaccuracies, and then the video came out, and it was this jumbled mix of East Asian imagery, mixed with some Hindu goddess vibes. Just all over the place and messy, but I could totally see how someone could have watched the video and gotten mad that all of the cultures were being mashed together as one and feeling like no one bothered to show enough respect to try to get it right.
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 12,590
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Several media outlets are reporting this now including TIME and Wall Street Journal.
It was obvious it was going to get some push back.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 20,070
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Nnn better lock myself up in my house and never leave because me breathing will be see as offensive by some. I don't even...
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Member Since: 9/13/2012
Posts: 29,559
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Quote:
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"For hairy, white Americans, I guess it doesn't mater which is which."
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Drag a bit, Japanese twitter users 
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Member Since: 6/25/2012
Posts: 41,860
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to anyone who gets upset over cultural appropriation
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Member Since: 3/17/2012
Posts: 10,399
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Actually, I think people have the right to think this was racist, or maybe lacking of taste.
Watching it, I got extremely uncomfortable to see her totally piss on someones tradition for no reason whatsoever. I mean, maybe if the song had an Asian sound, or was about Asian culture, a traditional Asian performance may have been appropriate. But in this case it wasn't. It was Katy, not thinking, trying to make a gimmick out of Asian culture. Trying to make it whipped cream boobs. Trying to make it "pop."
I got uncomfortable at least. And I aint even Asian. Like someone else said, it would be the same if she performed in black-face. Or if she had Mariachi people on stage and sombrero's.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 4,564
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Quote:
Originally posted by b3dro
It doesnt mean anything really you only need to wear them when you're like walking outside. |
I'm not talking about meanings. It just looked messed up.
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Member Since: 5/21/2012
Posts: 13,571
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Her performance was a disgrace, how dare she pull such a stunt. Doesn't she think that her song is good enough and that she doesn't need to pull a stunt like this to push it into the top 20 on iTunes? Very disappointed.
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