Quote:
Originally Posted by jonesy
Is every Asian wearing a suit and tie also appropriating culture, after all a business suit is western culturalal attire
Can a non Asian take karate and wear a Gi?
Can Black people straighten their hair and not be considered appropriating culture?
That ad is not poking fun at Ninja's, it is portraying them as something good as far as I an tell. ex: on this forum if someone says: "ninja edit" it is not racist, it means you did something quick and efficient.
There is real racism out there. Pretending the above is racism or wrong is setting back the fight.
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I think the suit and hair straightening examples are responses of Nations/Cultures/Races responding to dominant and/or colonial culture.
If we dig deeply into the business suit example, it is done to fit into the more dominant Euro-centric culture. Colonial powers had a huge influence with what went on in China in the 19th/20th century. The Japanese empire perceived itself as an equal to the Western colonial powers and did adapt where it had to protect its sovereignty. I suppose it is appropriation, but it is being done to blend into the dominant culture and to ensure economic (cultural, as well?). If we look at the idea of businessman or woman in their cultural 'business' dress, do you take them seriously? Lots of interesting history around fashion, particularly why men's fashion has become reduced to a business suit.
As for the hair straightening example, it is definitely an attempt to fit in to a perceived notion of what a (beautiful?) woman should look like in North America. We have seen this starting to change. I am specifically speaking about North American examples. African American women may feel the need to straighten their hair because look at the reactions to Michelle Obama's hair when it is curlier than normal or even when Beyonce styles her hair different.
Another example, is Ayanna Pressley when spoke out about alopecia. If you want to hear her talk about her relationship with her hair:
https://theglowup.theroot.com/exclus...ald-1841039847
The hair issue goes beyond race and brings in gender. Are women ever allowed to be comfortable styling their hair however they feel? Personally, I have always tried to conform. I have straightened my curly hair because I want to be accepted. I don't anymore because straightening my hair regularly damages it. Plus, I feel like straight hair isn't the only option for beauty anymore.
The Gi example is interesting. I look at it as sign of respect and comformity when a North American wheres a gi in Dojo. Dojo's have retained much of their traditional culture. Gi's serve a cultural and practical purpose. It is likely that one should where a Gi in a Dojo if they wish to be a member of it. It's likely appropriation on some level.
Anyway, we are all being challenged think more deeply about what we see around us. This is a consequence of living in a Eurocentric/Colonial culture that believed in its superiority and tried crush all resistance from mocking, collaborating, assimilating, and even genocide. Most of what people are 'offended' (I hate that word so much) today were the same things the people were 'offended' by a century ago. There has always been resistance. Often the popular narrative of history has been manipulated to erase that resistance.
Not looking to argue of this. I think we just need to be more thoughtful and intentional in our actions. It's not comfortable and it is not required of anyone, but don't be surprised when others challenge us to think.