| |
Discussion: Cultural Appropriation: Too Serious?
Banned
Member Since: 4/27/2012
Posts: 33,811
|
People are way too serious. Indian headdresses and bindi's are cute and if I wanna wear them, I will!
But in all seriousness, people are way too sensitive with it and it seems as if people misuse the term. From my understanding, it's when someone takes something sacred (usually religious) from a culture that they aren't apart of. A good example of the misuse is Miley Cyrus. People said she was appropriating black culture, but let's be real, there's nothing sacred about acting "ratchet" and twerking 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Jameson Teqkilla
No, cultures definitely mix in the U.S. Like, a lot. Immigrant communities tend to stick together, yes, but their children become part of the melting pot and tend to blend with multiple cultures.
|
it's a bit more complex than that. younger generations do tend to mix but that doesn't mean on whole the U.S. is a melting pot. younger generations mixing is natural and a part of a Western society but really that's what it is. most cultures in America stay in one place. I heard American instead being compared to a stew: you do have the people branching out and mixing which is part of the main soup/liquid, but then you have the Cubans, and the Mexicans, and the Asians, the Italians, black people, British people, this, that and together it makes a stew rather than a melting pot. and that's not a bad thing, it makes the country richer if anything.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 1,333
|
Quote:
Originally posted by J03Y
I used the US as an example, the same could be said for every other country in the world  |
No, it cannot be said for the Rest of the World. A lot of People migrate from one Country to another. They bring their Culture with them and influence the Culture of the Country where they live. Germany was a different Place, f.e., in the 60ies before Immigrants from Greece, Italy and Turkey came in Masses to work here. Most of the second Generation started to adopt certain Values, and as a result, both Cultures mixed. IMO this has changed the Country for the better, even though Segregation might still exist and Tensions might be there.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 5,156
|
I see.
Cultural appropriation is an issue mainly because people have no problem calling others that wear stuff like bindis dirty and "responsible for 9/11" and then they go to Coachella and wear it as something fashionably.
I just think personally that if you're going to do something involving other countries' culture, make sure you do extensive research on the matter and actually pay homage to it.
Also don't make people of a certain race look like your slaves and half-dead backup dancers.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 1,333
|
Quote:
Originally posted by J03Y
did you add anything to this discussion or did you just list off your own experiences like they some how equate to the rest of the ****ing planet?
|
I actually did, you just did not get it. With all of my Friends/Co-workers coming from different Countries, with some of them living on different Continents, how does sharing my personal Experience not contribute to the Discussion? I was argueing that it is getting more difficult for a growing number of People to figure out to which Culture they even belong. Therefore this whole "Cultural Appropriation" Thing is getting invalid over the Time. I'm not saying that EVERYONE can relate to that, since not every Person has a bi-cultural Background and/or does live in a big City.
|
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 3/3/2012
Posts: 13,073
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Jae
If you mimic/copy/embrace western culture, (USA/UK/AUS), no-one bats an eye. They get away with it because there's nothing wrong with it. But as soon as you imitate or mimic say, Indian or African culture, you get labelled as being offensive and racist. This is why so many people (at least in Britain, to my knowledge) dare not speak a word against any of the immigrants' cultures, because we'll get labelled as being racist.
|
Can you tell me what's the culture of the first world?
Drink tea? Apple pie? Country music?
One thing is exagerating stereotypes and the other is culture.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/29/2011
Posts: 18,282
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Abyss
Funnily enough, half the time it seems to be white people screaming "CULTURAL APPROPRIATION", when the culture actually involved doesn't even care.
|
+1
Sometimes overly politically correct white people can actually end up being more racist/ignorant than those they are calling out.
Like what is cultural appropriation and when does it become racism?
I get it that mocking a culture is cultural appropriation/racist. But what's mocking?
What about yoga, belly dancing, or even eating other culture's food?
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/3/2014
Posts: 3,459
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Giselle
People are way too serious. Indian headdresses and bindi's are cute and if I wanna wear them, I will!
But in all seriousness, people are way too sensitive with it and it seems as if people misuse the term. From my understanding, it's when someone takes something sacred (usually religious) from a culture that they aren't apart of. A good example of the misuse is Miley Cyrus. People said she was appropriating black culture, but let's be real, there's nothing sacred about acting "ratchet" and twerking |
But the point is that when Miley twerks and uses slang, she's cool and trendy. When a black person does that, they're classified as being ghetto, ratchet etc.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Red Hot Moon
I actually did, you just did not get it. With all of my Friends/Co-workers coming from different Countries, with some of them living on different Continents, how does sharing my personal Experience not contribute to the Discussion? I was argueing that it is getting more difficult for a growing number of People to figure out to which Culture they even belong. Therefore this whole "Cultural Appropriation" Thing is getting invalid over the Time. I'm not saying that EVERYONE can relate to that, since not every Person has a bi-cultural Background and/or does live in a big City.
|
1) just because you contribute your experience to a discussion doesn't mean it adds to the discussion, that's why I said it. that may have been what you were trying to get across but it came off as a random interjection that simply reiterated what you already said instead of convincing me of anything.
2) not really, I mean if self-identity is the argument here not a lot of people face it. i'm not saying it doesn't happen, of course cultural identity changes the more younger generations grow up and experience new things, it just doesn't happen as frequently as you say realistically. and trust me if anyone would understand what you're trying say it would be me, my dad is Cuban and my mom is Caucasian. I've personally seen mixture of cultures, I know it happens, but on a grander scale we still have individual cultures separated and we always will until mixed cultures become the dominant (which won't happen for a very long time).
3) you keep forcing the subject on me when the only thing I've disagreed with thusfar is the idea that the majority of cultures in Western society are mixed. I've never said once that it doesn't happen.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 10,270
|
Some comments in here  I didn't expect full knowledge about this issue from a bunch of chart obsessed and superficial stand but the ignorance in here
Culture appropriation does obviously exists and its nowadays a bigger deal than it ever was.
Let me put it this way : When Lady Gaga sings about "popstar wears burqa for fashion" or is wearing a pink one she is definitely glamorizing a religion she's not a part of and especially not dealing with it in a respectful and tolerant way. Everday and all over the world muslim women receive a lot of hate for wearing it and being put into a stereotype because "they are forced to wear it". She's making it fashion when this issue is a serious one and just spreads wrong ideals to her fans.
I don't feel anything about the Dark Horse video but the Kimono performance was also not very respectful since 99% of the viewers probably didn't know how hard the life of Geishers were and still are. Instead of standing up for something all your "faves" are just glamorizing something they should not.
I personally think IF you really represent another culture do it the REAL way. Wear a real one, not a custom made Versace one, show the world a realistic view of the culture you are representing and don't label it.
And don't let me even start on Bindis and white girls wearing them
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Matangi
Some comments in here I didn't expect full knowledge about this issue from a bunch of chart obsessed and superficial stand but the ignorance in here
Culture appropriation does obviously exists and its nowadays a bigger deal than it ever was.
Let me put it this way : When Lady Gaga sings about "popstar wears burqa for fashion" or is wearing a pink one she is definitely glamorizing a religion she's not a part of and especially not dealing with it in a respectful and tolerant way. Everday and all over the world muslim women receive a lot of hate for wearing it and being put into a stereotype because "they are forced to wear it". She's making it fashion when this issue is a serious one and just spreads wrong ideals to her fans.
I don't feel anything about the Dark Horse video but the Kimono performance was also not very respectful since 99% of the viewers probably didn't know how hard the life of Geishers were and still are. Instead of standing up for something all your "faves" are just glamorizing something they should not.
I personally think IF you really represent another culture do it the REAL way. Wear a real one, not a custom made Versace one, show the world a realistic view of the culture you are representing and don't label it.
And don't let me even start on Bindis and white girls wearing them |
eh, I don't really agree with that. the point of the song itself is empowering the idea of the burqa, albeit with one line that skews it a bit. taking one line and holding it up as if its the very thing the song and the artist are all about isn't doing justice to what the intended message is. Aura is about empowerment to the burqa and it's not another's place to judge them just because their religion says that they must conceal their beauty (which is lyrically obvious that's what she's saying).
I agree with what you said about Katy though, the Geisha performance was not a smart thing to do.
|
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 3/3/2012
Posts: 13,073
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Matangi
And don't let me even start on Bindis and white girls wearing them |
But like if I wanna put on a bindi, I'll do it, it's cute, I'm not making money from using it, I'm just wearing it, like I don't feel I'm stealing something, people are too sensitive.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 14,949
|
I honestly feel like this is only a problem in the US. I guess it's due to the amount of diverse cultures from immigrants. I as a Mexican find nothing wrong in using my culture as long as you are not making fun of it or mocking it. People are just too damn sensitive sometimes.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 15,264
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Matangi
Some comments in here I didn't expect full knowledge about this issue from a bunch of chart obsessed and superficial stand but the ignorance in here
Culture appropriation does obviously exists and its nowadays a bigger deal than it ever was.
Let me put it this way : When Lady Gaga sings about "popstar wears burqa for fashion" or is wearing a pink one she is definitely glamorizing a religion she's not a part of and especially not dealing with it in a respectful and tolerant way. Everday and all over the world muslim women receive a lot of hate for wearing it and being put into a stereotype because "they are forced to wear it". She's making it fashion when this issue is a serious one and just spreads wrong ideals to her fans.
I don't feel anything about the Dark Horse video but the Kimono performance was also not very respectful since 99% of the viewers probably didn't know how hard the life of Geishers were and still are. Instead of standing up for something all your "faves" are just glamorizing something they should not.
I personally think IF you really represent another culture do it the REAL way. Wear a real one, not a custom made Versace one, show the world a realistic view of the culture you are representing and don't label it.
And don't let me even start on Bindis and white girls wearing them |
I know SOOOO many muslim women who say it is rubbish they have to cover any part of their body, it doesn't have to do with religion, just with choices women make or men who force them to
Also, kimonos? Practically all Japanese have one and a lot of other people have them, they are like bathrobes nowadays
I don't see any of those people getting hurt from this usage
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 10,270
|
Quote:
Originally posted by BadMonster
I know SOOOO many muslim women who say it is rubbish they have to cover any part of their body, it doesn't have to do with religion, just with choices women make or men who force them to
Also, kimonos? Practically all Japanese have one and a lot of other people have them, they are like bathrobes nowadays
I don't see any of those people getting hurt from this usage
|
Yeah sure you do  Especially you don't even know the difference between a burqa and a niqab and a headscarf. And why isn't it having anything to do with religion The system and society you life probably plays the biggest role and how strict the laws are. If a muslim woman describes her religion as "rubbish" she's OBVIOUSLY not being muslim voluntarily. I know a lot of muslim women who do not wear any option and are still religious because your faith is the only thing that counts !
And I was talking about Geishas because Katy represented one . Being a Geisha is not wearing a kimono .
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 9/12/2012
Posts: 26,389
|
I was thinking about this today, actually. I was going to make a thread similar to this to be honest, but let me put in my thoughts.
I think that faithfully representing a culture through performance, with tolerance to their beliefs and ideals, is not wrong. Using it as an accessory like a handbag is. Though there are some instances that I think is a bit over-reacting.
Like, would Japanese people get offended if, instead of good morning, I used 'ohayo' to greet people? If so, I think that's just a bit odd. I wouldn't be offended if someone grew up in a place that doesn't typically speak English, or teach it in their schools, used English phrases because they liked them. I guess that's different, though, since there's this power complex people keep pushing.
Basically, there are some things that people are justifiably offended by, and there are other things that are just over-reacting.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/15/2011
Posts: 1,692
|
Like I would say if its done in a way to mock or stereotype a culture than its wrong.
I think if its done in appreciative way that celebrates a culture than I think its ok.
But I also think that its wrong to limit what people can say or do. I think it becomes a problem when you tell people they can't wear something or do or say what they want to.
Basically, I don't what there is to be done about it. I hope this "social justice" trend dies down because all it does is make trivial things into a witch hunt while ignoring actual issues at hand.
Tumblr makes a big deal out of a white girl hearing a headdress but in the grand scheme of things, it may be in "bad taste" but there are much bigger issues going on regarding race and acceptance.
|
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 6/25/2011
Posts: 37,192
|
Quote:
Originally posted by J03Y
it's a bit more complex than that. younger generations do tend to mix but that doesn't mean on whole the U.S. is a melting pot. younger generations mixing is natural and a part of a Western society but really that's what it is. most cultures in America stay in one place. I heard American instead being compared to a stew: you do have the people branching out and mixing which is part of the main soup/liquid, but then you have the Cubans, and the Mexicans, and the Asians, the Italians, black people, British people, this, that and together it makes a stew rather than a melting pot. and that's not a bad thing, it makes the country richer if anything.
|
A stew is made in a melting pot though. You're getting way too technical and missing the whole point of "melting pot" analogy
The point is that America does contain all those immigrant cultures, and its own culture evolves as a development of that. That's all that the "melting pot" means. There's not many other countries where you have pockets of Cubans, Mexicans, Asians, black people, British people, etc.
|
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 4/27/2012
Posts: 33,811
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Heroine
But the point is that when Miley twerks and uses slang, she's cool and trendy. When a black person does that, they're classified as being ghetto, ratchet etc.
|
Outside of her core audience (teenagers), who thought it was cool & trendy? Because the reaction I saw towards it was that she was trashy and crazy. Yes it was popular. And even if what you said were true, that isn't Miley's fault.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 9/22/2011
Posts: 9,178
|
You would defend the practice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
