a little chaos

The best way I can understand it is how Boston did a straight pride and took something that was part of lgbt culture and basically made a mockery out of it. Minorities have had to fight for everything they’ve got so when dominant groups try to take it for themselves it really hurts.

This explains it well though:
https://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06...riation-wrong/

April7739

Ooh, that article does explain things well. Thanks, Becks. I feel like I’m understanding it a lot better already. I see now that it does involve the history of dominant groups vs. marginalized groups, and in this particular instance, I now get that hair is not just hair. It has deeper meaning than that because of who it represents. I do still think it’s interesting that Sharon can say she’s not offended by it but understands why others might be. So that just goes to show how tricky and complex this all is.

I would still like to believe that there is a difference between making a mockery of another culture and trying to appreciate it, but that article did a good job pointing out how, even if it’s not someone’s intention to appropriate a culture, it still often happens due to an over-reliance on stereotypes and disregard for the history.

kiss the wind

Yes, I think that a lot of the discrepancy lies in understanding or not understanding the history and the stereotypes, or perhaps if it's something you do at the request of tradition - for example, I would say there might be a difference if someone was having a traditional wedding for their culture and they asked the guests to dress in that culture's traditional wear for the wedding. But then people might see the guests in pictures and take offense, even though it was at the request of the wedding party.

I personally don't think you can appropriate white culture, because really... white culture is multiple culture, can you even call it "white" culture, or is it just... "westernized, Anglo" culture? You know? There's a lack of oppression because it is typically seen/viewed as the dominant culture in media/society.

Good discussion here, everyone! I really like it.

April7739

Yeah, I feel more educated. I enjoy it.

destroyer of worlds

Agreed. It's hard to say that it's cultural appropriation when it involves a more dominant culture. Also, when things have a symbolic meaning within a culture, that's when people have to be extra careful about not wearing items which should be only worn/adorn by people in that culture. In some cases, it's acceptable so it's just a matter of knowing what is deemed appropriate and what isn't.

April, I'm really glad that you're open about not knowing as much as you should and wanting to be more educated on the matter. The best way to learn is to listen to other POVs and from marginalised groups, it's when people aren't open to listening and evolving ... that it gets very frustrating.

April7739

Yeah, I like learning. Obviously, since I’m a teacher. I agree, when other people aren’t willing to listen and learn, that’s when it gets frustrating.

kiss the wind

April, how do you get your students to be more openminded and respectful. I swear, for California (although it is rural), my students that I sub for sure throw around a lot of homophobic slurs and jokes, and racist ones as well. I tell them to knock it off, obviously, but like... is there a way to stomp that out at the beginning of the year? Or to actually get them to stop thinking that way?

a little chaos

In my town I think a lot of the homophobia and racism is passed on through the parents, my two youngest brothers use racist slurs all the time because they learnt that from my dad so I think it’s hard to influence kids who are learning this behaviour from their parents who are our biggest influencers as children. I’m always telling my brothers off but it’s difficult because we don’t live together so my influence on them isn’t as dominant as my dad who they’re around more.

destroyer of worlds

Parents/your environment definitely plays a huge part of shaping your initial preconceptions/views but I do think that evolves (or SHOULD evolve) as you become an adult and learn to form your own opinions, no matter what you learn as a child. You unlearn certain things as you get older, and sometimes that's an entirely good thing. And that's difficult for your brothers for now because as you said, your father's influence is currently more dominant but hopefully it doesn't last a lifetime.

April7739

Allow me to answer this tomorrow once I’m more awake.

kiss the wind

Of course.

Yeah, Becks, good for you for trying to inspire your brothers to be better. It's tough when you don't get to be around them as much.

What's odd is that a lot of the racism is coming from students who are minorities themselves. It baffles me.

dbn

New thread?

destroyer of worlds

Yup, just opened it.

http://www.fanforum.com/f479/bob-mor...ghts-63229650/