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Can we talk about cultural appropriation?

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241 Responses

Angel Luna avatar
Angel Luna from lunaceramics 10:38 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
Interesting discussion going on here. I think artistically you can honor other cultures and styles. The quest is to create work that is also unique and has your personal voice to it.

Some of my work comes from my mexican background, but I change it in different ways. I also am influenced with my functional ceramics by japanese culture, but many times use or create images you don't see on work in Japan.

Does it bother me that Dia de los Muertos items are done by other groups on here not really. I am bothered sometimes when they don't spell words right dealing with cultural items. Have fun with this discussion. I have to go back to putting masks up on my etsy store.
Cynna avatar
Cynna from colorada 10:38 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
justgivemepeace - please forgive my use of hippie..it was the least likely to get offended group I could think of....hope it didn't bother you!
hARTjewelry avatar
hARTjewelry from hARTjewelry 10:46 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
Personally, I am getting sick and tired of this PC stuff. It has gone too far, and as someone already mentioned, it's usually not the members of those ethnic groups that get offended but it's mostly white people who think we have to make everything bland an politically correct.

Of course, I would never use the N word to describe anything, and I hate it when some of my African American friends conversationally address each other in that manner, but saying that something is "tribal," or "gypsy style," or "bohemian" (by the way Bohemia is part of the present day Czech Republic and not some nebulous North African or Middle Eastern tribal country), or even "native style" or "southwestern style" is just meant for describing the inspiration behind the product and not for offending anyone.

Personally, I love African tribal jewelry (Tuareg crosses, Zulu and Ndebele designs), and some "Bohemian" or "Gypsy" clothing. Japanese kimonos are true works of art, and Slavic folk embroidery can be so intricate and enticing. Chinese straw hats give excellent sun protection, and leather shoes from Argentina are among the best in the world. Indian mehndi henna designs intrigue me, Israeli silver and gold are always hard to resist, Moroccan mint tea is great, and Middle Eastern food is among the tastiest things I have ever had.

Why can't we all appreciate each other's uniqueness and differences instead of fighting over them?
Rachel avatar
Rachel from RADexpressions 10:48 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
Phanie from PhanieMarie says

I come from dozens of cultures; the least of which is my Choctaw and Italian heritage (both of which I'm extremely proud of.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am Choctaw as well! :-)

I don't consider words such as "gypsy" or "Indian" as derogatory words. It all depends on how you use the words.
justgivemepeace avatar
justgivemepeace from justgivemepeace 10:51 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
Cyn...LOL, not at all....

And having been raised in an eclectic mixed culture of every color, spirit, religion, ethniticity....I embrace us all.....

And cherish the differences that enrich each culture and the ties that bind us together....

In my family, we embrace the cultures of our children, gathered through adoption and chance, and teach them, too to embrace their heritage...and ours, too...as it is theirs also...

And so....we become a village....One that dances to a million different drums...

I don't think we've appropriated anything...
It's called Love....
and Love Grows....

To the sweet OP, seems to me, new friend, that you are just celebrating the lifestyle, the freedom, the colors, of your life.... whether you wandered there, were born into it or whisked into it through the looking glass doesn't matter to me... as long as you Believe:)
Cynna avatar
Cynna from colorada 10:53 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
I have dozens of influences in my background as well, including Native American. Diversity is awesome. Blandness is boring.
Kari Peterson avatar
Kari Peterson from TheGemPoetJewelry 10:53 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
I think gypsy and tribal are both so integrated into the cultural lexicon that there original meaning has been, to some extent, replaced. Thanks fashion industry. However I would shy away from using more specific terminology or identifiers that are less commonly used and more strongly identified with a specific culture. For example if you create an item with a tribal motif-I would not label the item as "Maori" unless the design is actually a Maori motif. Similary,one should take into consideration whether or not a "label" carries cultural significance. For example the Samoan Pe-a and Malu are not just tattoos but represent a scared covenant with the earth- thus even if you could accurately copy the designs one would have to show real thoughtfulness when applying it to commercial products and profitting it.
AppleBranchesVintage avatar
AppleBranchesVintage from AppleBranchesVintage 10:54 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
Ugh, i think people are wayyyy to sensitive about their culture. Unless it is portrayed in the wrong manner what is the point?. I honestly think people love to argue about everything and this issue is no different.
Cynna avatar
Cynna from colorada 10:54 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
justgivemepeace - lol, we cross-posted :)

Awesome post!!!
justgivemepeace avatar
justgivemepeace from justgivemepeace 10:55 pm Jul 2, 2012 EDT
(((Cyn)))

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