Cultural Appropriation

By Faye
@FayeHazel (40250)
United States
October 24, 2018 10:18am CST
Earlier this year a young American lady made the news when she wore a Chinese styled dress to prom. The dress being similar to the one in the picture. The problem? She isn't Asian, like the girl in the picture is. There has been a big backlash against the thing called "cultural appropriation". To me - cultural appropriation means things like hiring white actors to portray characters of other, non-white races (thus taking the role away from someone actually of that heritage), or wearing costumes or other apparel from a culture of which you don't belong - in a mocking or stereotypical fashion. (Eg. drunk Mexican Halloween costume) However this young lady didn't seem like she meant any mockery when she chose this prom dress. It looked more like she thought it was pretty and decided to wear it. But that didn't stop one blogger from being outraged. An Asian himself, the blogger angrily posted "My culture is not your prom dress". And that post reached all the way to Asia - where a lot of Asian people saw no issue with the dress or the girl wearing it. In fact some thought it was flattering that the style is being worn in America. The article I have linked to actually says that Western fashion is taking over in China. So, therefor - shouldn't we be offended? How dare those Chinese people wear t-shirt and jeans. They aren't Americans. They are Chinese. I'm so offended! By the way I'm just kidding. I think it's great if people who are Chinese, European, African , ... wherever- want to t-shirt and jeans, or their traditional clothes, or whatever floats your boat so to say. I have a reason for asking.... I have always liked the look of the Sari garment. This is an item worn in India. I would really like one. However I have 0 Indian blood in my heritage. Would it be rude of me to buy and wear a sari? (Maybe some of the global Mylotters can help me out with their views?) I apologize but the German / Bavarian "beer girl" type outfit really does nothing for peaking my interest in wearing it, and yet it would be the culturally appropriate clothing because I'm mostly German heritage wise. Photo: Pixabay Article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/world/asia/chinese-prom-dress.html
21 people like this
22 responses
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
24 Oct 18
How sure are you that you have zero Indian blood? Unless you have done a DNA test, you can't be certain. So many people have a mix that they don't know about. The human DNA is just that, a mix. Its already been shown that 3 different humanoid species types have gone into "modern day humans". The earliest Native American DNA that has been tested came from.... you want to guess? over seas! People are humans and its silly that people want to label certain items like beads in hair or other items as a culture thing. A lot of these things were done by everyone and people shared these traditions.
5 people like this
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
24 Oct 18
We are all descendants from Lucy, our common grandmother
4 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
You have a point. I have a fairly good idea for the past few hundred years, but before that who really knows?
3 people like this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
25 Oct 18
@FayeHazel Exactly! I'm debating doing the DNA test. I just don't like how the different companies are sharing the data collected.
2 people like this
@Courage7 (19635)
• United States
24 Oct 18
I am disgusted with all this. It is very uncalled for. People should be able to wear their hair, their dress and so on according to their personal choice without being afraid of some rubbish accusations.
5 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Very true. With all the actual true hate crimes done in society - this girl shouldn't be on the radar at all
2 people like this
@Courage7 (19635)
• United States
25 Oct 18
@FayeHazel No she should not, right Faye.
2 people like this
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
24 Oct 18
I have always love Chinese garments like this. I don't think the girl did anything wrong wearing one when she isn't Chinese. I agree exactly with what you said how Western fashion is taking over China so what is the difference if Americans wear Chinese clothes.
5 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I think they're really pretty, too.
2 people like this
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
24 Oct 18
As I was reading your post (and thinking that you needed a beautiful body to wear a Chinese dress) I remembered that I always have wanted to have a sari too. I´m a quarter German and have no interest at all for the German dress you described. The person who did not like the dress to be worn is stupid. Besides, western dresses are worn in China. And China exports Chinese dresses to the rest of the world.
3 people like this
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
25 Oct 18
@FayeHazel I would look plumb clad in a German dress. But a sari would be awesome.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
@marguicha I hope we can both get a Sari
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I tend to agree. I think the dress would only flatter a little handful of people , ha! Ah you and me alike. No thanks on the German costuming. Though I have no issues who ever else would like to wear it.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23678)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Oct 18
One of the most memorable memories in films is Jennifer Jones in "Love Is A Many Splendored Things" and the dresses she wore it--beautiful--both her and the fabrics and fits. I remember in 1967 Nehru suits/jackets became the 'in' thing and I didn't hear anyone in India or people from the far east living here say anything. I don't hear Cubans screaming because men in the USA are wearing Cuban style shirts. To me it is a compliment for someone of a certain country/heritage wanting to wear clothes of people from other countries/heritages.
4 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I've not seen that one. The costuming sound lovely though. I agree with you. I think it is a compliment to the host culture....
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17771)
• London, England
24 Oct 18
I think you are right, getting white actors to play Native Americans or Asians is wrong, but I think fashion and hair styles and such like are more personal taste and I have no problem with that
4 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
We agree :-)
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (168368)
• United States
25 Oct 18
People need to get over themselves, and worry about themselves! I hate it when people try to denigrate others over something innocuous.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (40696)
• Wapello, Iowa
26 Oct 18
@FayeHazel I mean there are actual hate crimes happening against people every day. Why go after some innocent girl's prom dress?---That's one of the very best points I've ever seen made about anything.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Oct 18
@xander6464 Thanks! As being a part of the local burlesque community - there are a lot of performers included such as drag queens, trans-men/trans-women,... and while I would never wish to hurt or offend anyone - sometimes they get very insulted by similar situations like this prom dress. A gender-ambiguous person will write long rants about how they were wronged because someone called them "mr." or "ms." in public and this hurt their feelings because they wanted to be called "they/them" not "ms. mr." and how mean that person was to assume their gender. IMO, like with the prom dress - there are far greater crimes than mis- guessing someone's gender. Esp. if the person was trying to be polite and meant no harm. Not everyone is hip to this new culture. And I think it's far easier to go after someone docile, someone who means no harm, than it is to go after someone who is actually being deliberately mean.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
So true. I mean there are actual hate crimes happening against people every day. Why go after some innocent girl's prom dress?
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
25 Oct 18
Some people are too sensitive. They have too much time on their hands that they find fault in everything.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
26 Oct 18
@allen0187 I think it is not about sensitivity. because maybe they are mocked while wearing these clothes. For example imitating the way they speak. @FayeHazel Now I realized then if someone likes that kind of style, maybe one can just alter or modify a bit. I don't know. just a thought
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Oct 18
@Mavic123456 - That's a thought, "make it your own"
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I would tend to agree.
@Aquitaine24 (11651)
• San Jose, California
25 Oct 18
So many people are mixtures you can't be sure if they're cultural appropriating or not.Russians and East Europeans often have some Asian ancestry.Blacks in America often have some white ancestry.There's even whites who have black ancestry.I think most of the timme people overrreact to appreciating other cultures.
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (11651)
• San Jose, California
26 Oct 18
@FayeHazel Canada First Nations is used as well.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
You raise a good point there. I recently found out some friends of mine are "Native American" or as they call it, "Indian". You wouldn't guess to look. So yes, technically it is hard to tell who is what, so maybe the best answer is everyone dress the same in a long boring gown or something, … no, not.... just kidding
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Oct 18
@Aquitaine24 I hadn't heard that term, but it makes sense there would be native Canadian tribes too
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
24 Oct 18
Here I really have no idea on what is appropriate. I used to wear "india and Indian" as costumes (I love their clothes and for Indian it is easy to find clothes and accessories for it. Now I realized that we can't wear Nationality or traditional clothes as costumes for they are not technically costumes but traditional clothes.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Oh so true, I love India clothes. Many of their styles are so pretty. You make a good point about not wearing traditional clothes as costumes though
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
3 Nov 18
@FayeHazel yes this just proves that we can be creative without offending anyone
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
24 Oct 18
Good afternoon.I do not see anything wrong with that.It is not an insult but the beauty of this.
2 people like this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
25 Oct 18
@FayeHazel yes it is very much so.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I agree, it's a compliment
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Oct 18
I have 0 Asian blood in me and had a custom-made dress similar to the one in the photo made when I was in Hong Kong. It's silk brocade and very traditional, except I didn't have the slit on the side cut as high as normal. I've worn it and got many compliments. I say wear whatever the heck you want, and tough tooies to the naysayers.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
31 Oct 18
@FayeHazel Thanks!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Oct 18
It's a beautiful style of dress. I would love to see a picture of you in your lovely silk dress!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
24 Oct 18
Using that blogger's criteria, no Asian should ever wear western style dress because they are appropriating white culture.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Exactly so, it becomes a problem in logic
2 people like this
@Hannihar (129074)
• Israel
16 Jan 19
@FayeHazel I am Jewish and the point I am getting at is I wonder why non-Jewish people wear Stars of Davids around there neck if they are not Jewish. There are people that accept things and people that do not. I guess for me it would depend on the situation and what the person is wearing.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129074)
• Israel
18 Jan 19
@FayeHazel I understand what you are saying.There was something I did appreciate when people that were not Jewish wanted to show solidarity with us by wearing what Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust the Yellow with Jew written on them to separate us from those that were not. There have been people that did put them on to show their solidarity with us. That I appreciate it because hopefully they understood.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
18 Jan 19
@Hannihar Ah in that case it makes sense, a show of support
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
17 Jan 19
I know I have found it curious when people who appear to be white are wearing Chinese symbol tattoos - quite a trend around here. Not that I mind Chinese symbols, no, I think many of them are quite cool - but as for me - it wouldn't feel like a right choice, since I'm not Asian. (But interestingly enough I didn't have an issue with this girl's dress, maybe because it is clothing, to be removed, unlike a tattoo) Same with the Jewish star - I'm not Jewish - it's an awesome symbol, but it just wouldn't seem right for me to be wearing, personally. On the other hand - I do have a few pieces of jewelry with old coins on them, with Arabic writing - I wear them for their beauty, and yet - I'm no percent Arabic , either.....
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I love the fact that we can appreciate beauty and comfort from all cultures around the world. I would also love some of the East Indian style clothes. Not necessarily a sari, but some of the other beautiful, flowing clothes.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Oh yes, I agree. I think it is wonderful to appreciate the styles from around the globe. I know there is an Indian Apparal that is loose pants and a long shirt, I don't know the name of it. I think it's lovely though
@maezee (42003)
• United States
25 Oct 18
I love those styles. Both of them. It’s a hard position to be in since I can totally see people accusing of appropriation. I understand one hundred percent if anyone dresses up in these as a costume or Halloween costume it would be totally offensive. But to wear it in seriousness even if it’s not part of your culture? That is the million dollar question!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
True. Like @Mavic123456 mention - it may not be nice to wear a culture's garment as a Halloween costume since the culture isn't a "costume" but what real people wear everyday.
@Aquitaine24 (11651)
• San Jose, California
26 Oct 18
Cultural appropriation is really a term people use for their own needsI thunk it is pretty arbituary..Most cultures are influenced by other cultures.Mongolian onion domes are found in Russia and in India.There are other examples of influence as well.
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Oct 18
Agree. As travel became possible - so did trade with other cultures. Isn't that a good thing?
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Oct 18
I say you are American, we are free to be, so just be whatever you want.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Yes! Great point :-)
@ilocosboy (45161)
• Philippines
25 Oct 18
I also see no problem a non asian wearing an asian dress, just us, asians, wearing western dresses, i wouldn't think its inappropriate. The problem is when she used it in mockery, but she isn't.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 Oct 18
Ah yes, I believe that is a good way to look at it. Nothing wrong to wear it, but make sure it isn't in mockery
1 person likes this
@porwest (78702)
• United States
13 Nov 18
People nowadays just want to be offended by just about everything. Not sure why that trend is the way it is, but it is very annoying to say the least.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
13 Nov 18
So true. It's frivolous
1 person likes this