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Originally Posted by VilleN
Yeah, I honestly think this cultural appropriation stuff doesn’t actually make sense. I think it breeds more racism- not being allowed to appreciate another culture for fear of retribution isn’t a good thing IMO. We might as well throw out all modern music since it has been appropriated from African Americans (blues, jazz). How about pants? Appropriated from the mongols.
I think the line between things like Holtby’s mask and the Cleveland Indians logo ( clearly racist) is being blurred and IMHO it isn’t progress.
I just can’t see why a white artist can’t appreciate the art and symbolism of another culture... isn’t this what we want as a society? Where we respect and appreciate each other’s uniqueness? We have a long way to go in terms of ending racism, I just don’t see this as a step in that direction.
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I definitely understand what you mean, because the mask artwork isn't inherently racist like the Cleveland logo and DaveArt probably did appreciate the art and symbolism of another culture. I think the issue as I tried to say in my last post, is that we have been so far from properly appreciating First Nations culture in Canada for so long, that even when something like this is reverent, there is such a deficit already. I don't really expect someone living in Scandinavia to know all these ins and outs, but Holtby or people within the Canucks organization can figure out the best way to approach things. The fact that colonialism has a history or is in its essence profiting off other cultures while systematically eliminating what doesn't benefit the colonizer is the issue. Can Holtby or Dave Gunnarsson solve all the issues of colonialism? No, of course not. But they have a platform where they can reach a lot of people in BC and a lot of kids in a positive way if they go about things the right way. I think this can be a really positive story that leads to more understanding. If people want Holtby hanged, drawn, and quartered, then that is an overreaction, especially since he hasn't doubled down, and that is something some people take too far. Make it a positive story and don't further condemn him.