Posted:
Originally posted by: Heisenberg17_
My point is cultural appropriation is not a thing, there's nothing wrong with people embracing and admiring each others culture, since when did this become offensive? if anything this is a good thing, but yes if you are going to argue "cultural appropriation", then you are going to be held to the same standards, that means you are also culturally appropriating western culture, there can be no assimilation without appropriation, appropriation means taking something for your own use. Also why do non-western countries adopt western culture? the Brits are long gone, so why do Indians in India continue to embrace western culture? what are they assimilating into? It's just a nonsensical argument.
In general, I don't think a person of culture 'X' emulating culture 'Y' is a problem.
I think it gets problematic when there are double standards.
- a white person with dreads is cool, but a black person is unprofessional
- a white person with a hoodie and do-rag is cool, but a black person is deemed as a gangster
- a white person wearing a bindi is cool, but a brown person wearing it is teased dothead
- a person acts all cool for eating curry, but brown people are called curry scented bitches
IMO, the cultural appropriation discourse started because some people were discriminated against/made fun of for their culture while white people doing the same were deemed cool.
Another issue I think that comes up often is when the original sentiment is lost/disrespected/disregarded
Some people in the west are obsessed with the Hindu Gods. They will get prints, tattoos, artwork etc. with holy images. But every now and then something like a doormat, underwear or liquor bottle gets a Hindu God image and people get upset. I personally as a Hindu couldn't care less. But for many its an inappropriate use.
A lot of Native American headdresses are earned based on rank and stature. So when a layperson wears it can feel disingenuous and disrespectful.
People in the subcontinent were westernized during colonization. When they went abroad they had to westernize to fit in. Today there is no colonization or need to assimilate in India. But its been happening for so many years that it would involve unlearning what has become inherent. Most people inspired by other cultures actually have no obligation to assimilate and for most, it means giving up a trend rather than unlearning the inherent.
Anyway, I do agree that appropriation can be blown out of proportion. A person may do something innocently and still get blasted for appropriating. That is unfair. People have to explain why it was OK for someone to have a Ganesha bookmark and poster but the doormat offended.
As for Hardik Pandya, he identifies with black fashion. That is fine. But I think he expressed his love in a racially insensitive manner. He could have expressed it better.
Arjun
5