depths20XX
Member
I really don't get how it's racist. This comes off as protestors just expecting the worst out of everyone.
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Boston kimono exhibit in race row aka wearing kimono makes you racist now.
- Thread starter plasmawave
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"japanese people eating at mcdonalds is culture apropiation!!! O:< "
While I don't think racist is the right word, I do think this is perhaps one of the better examples of cultural appropriation out there.
If it were "Come celebrate Japanese culture by wearing kimonos!" that'd be great! But it's "Come celebrate this European painting by wearing kimonos!" The kimono is traditionally Japanese: associating it with Monet because of one painting he did (versus the, what, centuries of kimono-wearing throughout Japanese history?) smacks of misappropriation.
If it were "Come celebrate Japanese culture by wearing kimonos!" that'd be great! But it's "Come celebrate this European painting by wearing kimonos!" The kimono is traditionally Japanese: associating it with Monet because of one painting he did (versus the, what, centuries of kimono-wearing throughout Japanese history?) smacks of misappropriation.
John Rabbit
Banned
i must've missed the day in History class where they covered the Japanese slave trade that involved binding them in their own kimonos on the boat over from Japan.
this is disgusting. my wife and I bought traditional Japanese clothing (jinbei and yukata) in Japan on our vacation there, and the Japanese people who helped us pick them out and try them on were more than happy to do it. we've worn them to local (in the US) Japanese festivals and a summer party, and received compliments from both Japanese and non-Japanese people. most often the Japanese people were interested to hear about how we acquired them and our time in the country.
Does that mean if I go to the Japanese Garden here in Seattle and do the tea ceremony I'm partaking in cultural appropriation?
Outrage Appropriation.
Outrage Appropriation.
Yeah I'm with the overall sentiment that this is completely ridiculous.
What I haven't understand however is how cultural appropriation is somehow morally wrong, is the most normal and regular thing that happens in any country and it actually enriches everyone involved, when you are mocking a culture is a different thing, but cultures melting and sharing is something that is bound to happen, the opposite is actually kind of racist, trying to keep this piece of clothing or that piece of music to be exclusively used by a certain group of people.
edit:
Oh I'm starting to understand this now.
What I haven't understand however is how cultural appropriation is somehow morally wrong, is the most normal and regular thing that happens in any country and it actually enriches everyone involved, when you are mocking a culture is a different thing, but cultures melting and sharing is something that is bound to happen, the opposite is actually kind of racist, trying to keep this piece of clothing or that piece of music to be exclusively used by a certain group of people.
edit:
Oh I'm starting to understand this now.
I'm offended by Americans holding chopsticks wrong. I'm thoroughly disgusted.
The Smoking Bun
Banned
So was Oprah being racist towards Indians when she wore an Indian Sari (Saree) when Bollywood Actor Aishwariya Rai came on her show?
I mean people are so sensitive these days yet they ignore true racism and segregation when it happens...
I mean people are so sensitive these days yet they ignore true racism and segregation when it happens...
well there it is.
Lol, years ago while practicing with chopsticks a Chinese friend looked at me and said "it's painful to watch you eat".
industrian
will gently cradle you as time slowly ticks away.
Don't let me catch any of you motherfuckers wearing kilts or playing bagpipes. I'll have the Scottish Al Sharpton on the phone quicker than you can say "Milngavie".
……forgetit
Member
Having a cool thing I got in another country is racist now? Am I racist because I bought a katana at a Japanese festival once?
depths20XX
Member
Is a Japanese guy dressing up as a cowboy in front of a painting of a cowboy cultural appropriation as well?
John Rabbit
Banned
did you make sure to drown the sushi in soy sauce that had wasabi already added to it?
minor effort
Banned
Japan is one of the world's largest economies and its cultural exports have wide international reach. Japan actively promotes the exporting of its culture (see: "Cool Japan"). This isn't a newly-discovered culture that's being exploited.
oh the horror
rofl, would be jokes
entremet
Member
You're surprised?
How long have been following these internet faux outrage hissy fits?
I called it when I read the title.
If that's the wrong way, I don't want to be right. Also, Japanese people I've talked to couldn't give a fuck how people eat sushi. It's not offensive to eat sushi with chopsticks, just weird to them.
Some people are bizarrely protective of "their" stuff. It's always struck me as bizarre and unhelpful, but I don't think it's an American or a racial thing. Hipsters or nerds who don't want anyone else to share in their stuff have the same motivations, really.
The stuff about race seems positively damaging, though, because it's not about a band you like, it's saying that human history is wrong—"how dare Marco Polo share knowledge of the East! He was appropriating Chinese culture!"
Anyhow, put my marker down for when I need to get offended by someone wearing lederhosen or a dirndl.
I just ask for forks if they don't give them to me. I either eat with western cutlery, or everyone around me has to wait for hours while I fumble with chopsticks and make a mess.
Japan has a literal subculture all about american culture appropiation, it's called yanki and basically is a japanized version of greaser culture.
But i don't see anybody trying to defend poor americans from the mean japanese cultural appropiators.
Edit: oh yeah, i forgot, they also are big fans of cosmetic surgery to make their eyes look rounder, a procedure dubbed by them as "americanizing" your eyes.
I guess I shouldn't be.
They way these people view life, I should be mad my gf isn't wearing a qipao (chinese dress) at all times. How dare she enjoy A&E clothing! Outrage I tell you! Outrage!
Could be worse: I once saw two white women eating dim sum with their fingers while sipping champagne. I was horrified.
Shining Sunshine
Banned
Who, in particular, are protesting? Japanese people?
MHWilliams
Member
Hurm.
This is the protest that MFA was worried about?
It's a weird protest and a weird exhibit, because honestly the Kimono thing isn't really about the kimono at all (which I guess is where the protest stems from). The MFA event was about this Monet painting. They allowed people to "put on" a similar item (mostly a similarly colored drape, not a real kimono) and take a picture with the picture.
Anyways, don't necessarily agree with their aim. But hey, it's speech. Much like the counter protesters.
This is the protest that MFA was worried about?
It's a weird protest and a weird exhibit, because honestly the Kimono thing isn't really about the kimono at all (which I guess is where the protest stems from). The MFA event was about this Monet painting. They allowed people to "put on" a similar item (mostly a similarly colored drape, not a real kimono) and take a picture with the picture.
I guess the idea is people would engage with the painting? Not really about Japanese culture at all. Which begs the questions why focus on it, but hey museums are on the struggle, so they get wacky.
Anyways, don't necessarily agree with their aim. But hey, it's speech. Much like the counter protesters.
It is asking participants to mimic a painting that, while it isn't of a Japanese person (I think?), consists of many stereotypical aspects. Wouldn't be surprise if many people crossed that line when trying to "get into the spirit."
John Rabbit
Banned
the argument is that, for instance, if you're served sushi that was prepared in front of you by an actual sushi chef, you should eat it as is, as that is the way the chef intended you to experience the fish.
the other argument is that you can eat sushi however you damn well please.
both sides have merit.
Zoe
Member
It's like buying a $75 steak and asking for A1.
Well reading about cultural appropriation is its own rabbit hole.
I've learned that it refers to a dominant culture appropriating things from an oppressed culture, I don't think this particular case apply, and I really think the protesters being non Japanese is the most absurd thing here.
I've learned that it refers to a dominant culture appropriating things from an oppressed culture, I don't think this particular case apply, and I really think the protesters being non Japanese is the most absurd thing here.
teruterubozu
Member
Why is he dressed like Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's?
Ravensmash
Member
This has always been my thinking. We should be celebrating the merging of culture, not trying to put it in a box.
Japan's retailer Aeon features white people and black people wearing yukata in their latest TV ad for their 2015 yukata collection.
Proof
The idea of non-Japanese people wearing traditional Japanese attire is like the exact opposite of racist.
Whoever is protesting this is fucking stupid, and whoever is caving to the protests is a shining example of what's wrong with the world these days.
Proof
The idea of non-Japanese people wearing traditional Japanese attire is like the exact opposite of racist.
Whoever is protesting this is fucking stupid, and whoever is caving to the protests is a shining example of what's wrong with the world these days.
Ugh, that tv ad. As a person of non-color, I feel offended.
striferser
Huge Nickleback Fan
I'm not Japanese, but here's my experience wihen i active in Japan learning center, where customer can come to learn Japanese culture and stuff.
We provide service for those who want to try yukata, pose and take a picture with it, but not kimono, reason is because they really hard to use, and the cloth is really expensive. One of the staff is also Japanese, and she's okay with it. Seriously, there's nothing racist about wearing kimono and stuff.
We provide service for those who want to try yukata, pose and take a picture with it, but not kimono, reason is because they really hard to use, and the cloth is really expensive. One of the staff is also Japanese, and she's okay with it. Seriously, there's nothing racist about wearing kimono and stuff.
maquiladora
Member
Well yes, it is cultural appropriation.
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