Cultural Appropriation

[dust1n]

Wearing a headdress is not offensive to many.

Right? And when I wear my tzizit and kippah for Halloween, no one seems to mind around in Texas.

 

[dust1n]

I recommend the TV series, Treme.
One of the main characters is an "Indian".
It wasn't a big hit, but I really liked it.
Especially.....

Spoiler: A character dies

.....when John Goodman's character dies.

Dude... I need to watch that.

 

[dust1n]

By "offended" I meant, anyone that thinks a person of a different ethnicity or nationality shouldn't participate in cultural fashions, rituals, etc, of another culture. That's racist, and xenophobic.

Oh, no, I just think people shouldn't be clear and obvious douche bags. That's different than participating from another culture. The whole showing up to a party thing in a headdress... not really participating in any particular culture, other than typical douche bag culture.

 

[Nietzsche]

I see. So, if someone walked into one of your costume parties with black face, you wouldn't think nothing of it? Also, I say it's okay for someone to show up to a party in a headdress. It's also okay to think that person a douche bag for doing so.

Fair enough.

And if someone had the balls(or ovaries) to come to a costume party in genuine black-face I'm not sure what I'd do, other than stare in total, utter awe while chastising myself for not thinking of it first.

 

[dust1n]

Fair enough.

And if someone had the balls(or ovaries) to come to a costume party in genuine black-face I'm not sure what I'd do, other than stare in total, utter awe while chastising myself for not thinking of it first.

Especially if that someone was black. I'd be kicking myself in the face for having not thought of that one yet.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

But no one person, or even group, owns anything regarding culture. All culture is learned, and through that it's open for everyone. You are not special because you were born into it.

When there is a long history of custom to a people, it becomes a part of a community identity. I don't appreciate that being ignored.

I have it in mind that the opposite of dysfunction is....well.....dysfunction. The opposite of neo-tribalistic SJWism isn't a free-for-all for everybody without regard, but in that big ol' grey area in between.

 

[Curious George]

I see. So, if someone walked into one of your costume parties with black face, you wouldn't think nothing of it? Also, I say it's okay for someone to show up to a party in a headdress. It's also okay to think that person a douche bag for doing so.

If someone showed up to a costume party in blackface, I would think their costume was a blackface character not trying to be black as a costume.

I just don't see headresses at a costume party as offensive.what I would consider cultural appropriation would be if a guy tried wearing a headdress seriously and coming to a pow wow or the rez. However, I am guessing the type of headdress we are talking about are the warrior head dresses so I would probably just find out who the greater warrior was.

But while I can understand why real cultural appropriation might be offensive to some, I would laugh at someone trying to be serious who didn't know what they were doing. I might even strike up a conversation with them.

With hair styles, I certainly don't care, and find it mildly amusing that someone does care. Certain parts of culture are open. Hair and food are definitely one. I personally believe clothing is there as well, but I could understand why some are upset over specific items of clothing that denotes status. But wearing military style medals because they look cool crosses the line only when someone tries to take credit for feats that they did not achieve.

Beyond this level of appropriation where someone tries to take credit for achievement, cries over appropriation are just another form of elitism.

 

[Curious George]

Right? And when I wear my tzizit and kippah for Halloween, no one seems to mind around in Texas.

Really can't imagine why anyone, anywhere would care if you wore that for Halloween.

 

[Nietzsche]

Especially if that someone was black. I'd be kicking myself in the face for having not thought of that one yet.

Now all I want to see is a black guy in white face pretending to be in bla...

Wait. Isn't that basically Tropic Thunder?

 

[Aquitaine]

I see. So, if someone walked into one of your costume parties with black face, you wouldn't think nothing of it? Also, I say it's okay for someone to show up to a party in a headdress. It's also okay to think that person a douche bag for doing so.

I see your point, but at the same time isn't blackface a mockery of a certain demographic, and not an actual positive cultural trait?
So a person wearing a headdress (genuine cultural element) is different from someone dressing in blackface (mockery and not an actual cultural element)?

 

[dust1n]

If someone showed up to a costume party in blackface, I would think their costume was a blackface character not trying to be black as a costume.

Right, I'd think them a douche bag either way.

I just don't see headresses at a costume party as offensive.what I would consider cultural appropriation would be if a guy tried wearing a headdress seriously and coming to a pow wow or the rez. However, I am guessing the type of headdress we are talking about are the warrior head dresses so I would probably just find out who the greater warrior was.

Right, well it's not really you I'm concerned about offending. It's one thing to offend out of ignorance. Oh, have I done that plenty of times. Sometimes you should probably offend someone who is being an ***. I don't really see how if one of my friends show up to a party in a headdress why I'd find that funny, or clever, or interesting, especially to be doing some sort of Indian impression. Just seems like going out of one's way to be edgy over something that literally matters none at the risk of making people uncomfortable. Could be a fine person, but why I go out of may to see if that be the case. That's a big red flag right there for potential douchebaggery.

But while I can understand why real cultural appropriation might be offensive to some, I would laugh at someone trying to be serious who didn't know what they were doing. I might even strike up a conversation with them.

With hair styles, I certainly don't care, and find it mildly amusing that someone does care. Certain parts of culture are open. Hair and food are definitely one. I personally believe clothing is there as well, but I could understand why some are upset over specific items of clothing that denotes status. But wearing military style medals because they look cool crosses the line only when someone tries to take credit for feats that they did not achieve.

Why? My four-star general costume with three purple hearts is a hit.

Beyond this level of appropriation where someone tries to take credit for achievement, cries over appropriation are just another form of elitism.

Laconic.

 

[Revoltingest]

Fair enough.
And if someone had the balls(or ovaries) to come to a costume party in genuine black-face I'm not sure what I'd do, other than stare in total, utter awe while chastising myself for not thinking of it first.

Were I a singer & dancer, I'd consider going to a party in blackface as Al Jolson.

Fortunately for everyone, I neither sing nor dance.

 

[dust1n]

I see your point, but at the same time isn't blackface a mockery of a certain demographic, and not an actual positive cultural trait?

So a person wearing a headdress (genuine cultural element) is different from someone dressing in blackface (mockery and not an actual cultural element)?

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[dust1n]

Now all I want to see is a black guy in white face pretending to be in bla...

Wait. Isn't that basically Tropic Thunder?

I want to see a black woman pretend to be a white man man pretending to be black man pretending to be a white woman. These are things I can deal with.

 

[Politesse]

Normal person: Hmm, it seems kind of racist to blatantly make fun of someone's race.
Racist: How can it be racist if it doesn't offend me?

 

[dust1n]

Really can't imagine why anyone, anywhere would care if you wore that for Halloween.

...really? Hold on, I'll start a new thread and ask Jewish people would they'd think about having a Jewish costume for a costume party.

 

[Curious George]

Right, I'd think them a douche bag either way.



Right, well it's not really you I'm concerned about offending. It's one thing to offend out of ignorance. Oh, have I done that plenty of times. Sometimes you should probably offend someone who is being an ***. I don't really see how if one of my friends show up to a party in a headdress why I'd find that funny, or clever, or interesting, especially to be doing some sort of Indian impression. Just seems like going out of one's way to be edgy over something that literally matters none at the risk of making people uncomfortable. Could be a fine person, but why I go out of may to see if that be the case. That's a big red flag right there for potential douchebaggery.



Why? My four-star general costume with three purple hearts is a hit.



Laconic.

All of my replies are laconic. It is just that few bother reading that far.

Wearing a four star general costume to a party is no problem either. It is a costume party after all. Though, I would imagine most people have better costumes than Indian and army man, unless they are seven.

But, if they don't, and someone gets in a tissy, that is an issue with the person getting their feathers ruffled.

Prancing around in culturally significant guises and trying to claim cultural meaning to which you cannot claim is where the actual problem is.

 

[Curious George]

...really? Hold on, I'll start a new thread and ask Jewish people would they'd think about having a Jewish costume for a costume party.

Yes, and be sure to note that the costume consists of a tzitzit and a yarmulke.

 

[Revoltingest]

...really? Hold on, I'll start a new thread and ask Jewish people would they'd think about having a Jewish costume for a costume party.

Thinking of some acceptable costumes I've seen....
- Priest
- Nun
- Angel
So why not go as a Jew?
Hmmmm.....I could go as an angry Scottish janitor.

 

[Curious George]

Normal person: Hmm, it seems kind of racist to blatantly make fun of someone's race.
Racist: How can it be racist if it doesn't offend me?

Normal person: wait, so there is actually no intent to believe or show racial superiority? Oh, I guess it is not racist as per definition.

Over reactive person: no, I can make an attenuated argument based on hyperbole and emotional appeal so it must be racist.