When I was younger, I never really questioned as to why someone other than an Indian was wearing a Bindi. My mother was taught that sharing culture is a good thing, but now looking back on it - wasn't it more of someone appropriating my culture? To many a Bindi is seen as a red dot that is placed on your forehead and there is nothing more to it. However, now having gained more knowledge about my culture I've discovered the significance behind it. It holds meaning in both marriage and beauty, something that Indian women pride in a lot.
When someone other than an Indian wears it, they seem to call it "appreciating" my culture. I let it slide without blinking, having thought that this was the norm. But as said before, as you grow, you gain more knowledge and so on. It's something that I think about often, especially after enrolling in this paper. This also adds on to the fact that many people don't know they're appropriating a culture simply due to their knowledge. But what do you do when they refuse to listen as to why they are wrong?
Yes, sharing culture is good, but shouldn't you ask for permission from the person before engaging in it? For example, if you are not Indian and wear a Bindi simply because you "appreciate" it - is that right? Especially when there is a huge significance to the women of that culture when to you it is seen as nothing but a fashion statement. Personally speaking, I like the idea of sharing culture, but there has to be a limit to it. Unfortunately, limits are often crossed in places like clothing stores. An example would be Factorie where you can buy henna tattoos because that is somehow "cool" and "ethnic". This completely ignores the meaning that henna holds for Indian women and becomes degraded to a fashion statement. Not to mention the fact that henna is often used in marriages and not some summer music festival.
As an Indian who was born in New Zealand I've been taught to share my culture. But as said before as I grow I realise sharing isn't exactly sharing but rather appropriating.
References:
http://thisisnotindia.tumblr.com/post/27596287658/racist-politics-of-cultural-appropriation-some
http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/01/south-asian-accessories-mean/
I completely agree with you about sharing cultures. It can be a wonderful thing. There can be a line to cross when girls wear a bindi for a fashion statement only, and not know the true meaning for it. I believe they should know what they are wearing before they wear it. I also agree with your statement about henna and ignoring what it actually means for marriage.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting read, nice and easy to understand :)
I too agree with you. Yes it is nice to show your interest to a culture but then it gets to a point where the individual should know about what they are doing and if they're being disrespectful to the culture. And yes these lines are crossed a lot in the fashion industry which isn't good and it is nearly a type of new racism. This is a good and interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about the difference between appropriation and appreciation. But I also think that the difference is not only ignoring the knowledge of the culture, but the power that comes with it. Appropriation leads to cultures/styles being simplified to racist stereotypes, but, as you said, is seen as 'high fashion' or 'edgy.' Therefore, it is the exercise of power by the oppressor, to appropriate and use the style of the oppressed. http://p-yaas.tumblr.com/post/120760663836/they-hate-us-but-love-our-culture
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