Be prepared to do your own research. So, when someone called out for appropriation counters by saying that people of color who wear Western clothing and hairstyles, speak English, or eat fast food are also appropriating, know that these statements are both grossly insensitive and completely inaccurate. Yeah it sucks even people with sacred dreads(religious reasons) are constantly being "called out" or accused after explaining over and over. 2023 The Political Insider ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Other white characters (not Native American characters) help her establish the school. For example, you might recognize that cultural Halloween costumes and blackface are racist and never acceptable, but what about fashion influences? Depending on the material that the body chains were made of, others wore the chains as a way of showing off their affluence. Unlike a necklace or a bracelet that has a defined space, body chains can . Essay about Cultural Appropriation. I do feel less guilty/concerned about wearing a chain, though. I'm African. Here's the thing about appropriation. We must all ask ourselves whether wearing these many types of body jewellery is cultural appropriation or an appreciation of different cultures. Patterns, symbols, and hairstyles have . As we have seen above what cultural appropriation is all about, let us now see if there is some sort of appropriation by any culture or people. Proudly powered by WordPress Wearing Miss EmpowHer waist beads is a form of cultural appreciation, not appropriation. 13 year olds? If others happened to witness the appropriation maybe they saw your outfit or read your social media post consider touching base with them on what youve learned. Wearing body chains, especially the waist beads, isn't a form of cultural appropriation but rather cultural appreciation. If you see it as one, then thats it but to help us see why we should not see wearing a body chain or bead as a cultural appropriation, it us look to the cultures that we think body chains originated from. The Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative (CIPRI), founded by Monica Moisin, connects designers with traditional textile artisans within a framework that ensures that the artisans . Cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation. Try having a first name everyone thinks is Alexis and a Greek last name if you want to talk about mispronunciation and spelling, sweetie. The film's depiction of Maui aside, the official Disney "Moana" costumes, pajamas and wigs are, by definition, a form of cultural appropriation, according to Tvita O. Kaili, an Oceanian sociocultural anthropologist at Brigham Young University Hawaii. Colleen Murphy. Not everyone criticized this look. Ancient Egyptian times gave rise to the term girdle for beaded waist chains. So Cultural appropriation refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression and doesnt respect their original meaning or give credit to their source. For instance, WTF is a didjeridu massage? Sista. A lot of people see African culture think that its pretty or cool and then just take it but I feel like its okay if you learn about it and give appreciation to it. After reading more about the various meanings behind beads, I'm not comfortable wearing them. Pages: 5 Words: 2112. Despite the brand or class and status of the designer - celebrities, influencers and general social media users take no prisoners when it comes to confrontation. Your name is Jacquelyn Aguilera thats not really all that an unusual name in America. . Black hairstyles arent costumes or fancy looks, though. The well-renowned international shoe designer collaborated with Noongar artist Peter Farmer in 2017 to make two pairs of high . You do you though, I dont think its so bad? Cultural appropriation is often defined as "taking - from a culture that is not one's own - of intellectual property, cultural expressions and artefacts, history and ways of knowledge". Then there's the fact that Africa isn't one homogenous country and culture, it's a group of different countries with their own individual things, but cultural appropriation between those countries doesn't appear to be considered an issue. They are chains worn around the waist and abdomen that can have one or more strands and are composed of different types of glass, metal, crystal, bone, and wooden beads. Check out our range of nose & septum rings, sleepers & studs. Cultural Appropriation in Fashion Shows. naming teams after animals, A recent recipe on Half Baked Harvest, a well-known food blog, drew criticism from many followers. Bantu knots are an African hairstyle with a long history. Ariana Grande's Blackfishing. https://fashion-manufacturing.com/disclosure. This might feel uncomfortable, but its worth it, since it could help them avoid appropriation, too. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.". I'm black. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. Someone youve offended may offer an explanation, but you shouldnt expect them to fully educate you on what counts as appropriation and why. Some people may beg to differ from our point of view, but nothing shows cultural appreciation better than wearing such waist beads and body chains, among other kinds of body jewelry. And those hoops were never YOURS to begin with. You also seek to understand people of that culture, as well as the culture itself, more completely instead of contributing to stereotypes. But I'm still looking into this for myself :). It is generally believed that the significance of this accessory had, at the time, changed to symbolize male authority and power rather than female sexuality. I know quite a few African women that it irritates to see people that have no history or cultural connection to waistbeads. this includes other Blk women, as they have been making them since they were children. Waist chains were also originated from the Indian subcontinent 4000 years ago so if you are from India u sure can wear waist chains without appropriating any culture, For those who subscribe to Chinamwali they may feel as if it's appropriation as the waist beads are "earned" by becoming adepts at their initiatiion. Thanks for your input. Still, there was serious intent behind Katters submission on the production of fake Australian First Nations art. copying another nations visual arts style and design and producing artefacts and materials that originate from that nation. Today, waist beads and chains are more than a cultural thing, and you can wear it for different reasons, including non-scale weight monitoring, enhancing your sensuality, and just for aesthetics. There are tribal meanings and rituals involved. The most notable criticism was levelled at her 2013 AMAs performance in which . At the end of the day, the waist beads make the most stunning kind of jewelry, and in addition to there being no laws that stop you from wearing them, they look great on pretty much everyone! Recently, especially during the pandemic, the infatuation with body jewellery has returned. Would a person of that culture see my actions as respectful? Still, shaming someone or criticizing them publicly usually doesnt have the best impact, so try calling them in instead of calling them out. What do you think of these Latina students telling white girls to take off their hoop earrings? To sum up: White culture cant be appropriated. Some members of the West African community view wearing waist chains for decorative purpose as rude and inappropriate, while others think it is unnecessary even if you are not of African descent. If you're using a string, mark on the string where the two ends meet, then measure that . Tell us in the comments below! They also fail to give credit where credit is due. NOTICE: While your contribution is vital and directly supports The Political Insider, it is NOT tax deductible. What I hear when you say: Cultural appropriation. Follow her on Twitter @AlexaShrugged. Lalonde D. (2019). A wall on the side of a dormitory at Pitzer College devoted to unmoderated free speech through art (colloquially named the free wall), was recently painted by a group of Latino students who wrote the message,White Girl, take off your [hoop earrings]!!!. Bala. A wall on [] I just wanted to let you know people from that culture might find it offensive and hurtful.. All cultures have complexities and nuances that contribute to, but go far beyond, their art, clothing, and jewelry. The waist bead/ chain is more than a cultural thing, and you can wear it for different reasons, including non-scale weight monitoring, enhancing your sensuality, and just for aesthetics. The body chains from these periods were intricately designed in what looks like the detailed Roman style that is also seen in the ancient but standing architecture. Mehndi ceremonies also make up an important part of wedding traditions in the Middle East and South Asia. Alexa is a freelance writer and communications consultant, with experience working on the Hill, at the RNC, and for National Review. (2016). Orientalism is the cultural framework against which tangible racism is practiced against Asian people in the West. Brides wear a nose ring that extend with a chain, and some rural parts of India wear larger nose rings as a sign of marital status or affluence. As a African women I think that it okay for you to wear it but just dont change the name of it and things. YOU created the culture of wearing hoop earrings? A young woman in Utah bought a Chinese-style dress to wear to her high school formal. For white people, this involves doing some potentially uncomfortable work. I've seen plenty of WOC making and selling waist beads and waist chains to people of all different backgrounds with no problem! But is your decision to wear a body chain considered a form of cultural appropriation or a form of disrespect to some ancient culture? They can be worn for fashion purposes, waist shaping, and weight monitoring. When it comes it body chains and waist beads, however, the definition may not be the same, but like all kinds of body jewelry, some people think of the body chains as elements that represent cultural appropriation. 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