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[davepoobond]

is dressing like a subjugated minority in bad taste?

i say yes

 

[MikeHattsu]

... I swear to god only white and black people get worked up over dumb shit like this. I've asked both sides of my family if they care if non asians wear china dresses or kimonos and got mostly puzzled who cares reactions. I'm dressing up as a viking for Halloween with full war paint, hopefully Nordic-gaf can forgive me for the appropriation of their culture (

lol

Will you use a helmet with horns? ;P

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

I'm dressing up as a viking for Halloween with full war paint, hopefully Nordic-gaf can forgive me for the appropriation of their culture (

Nordic peoples raped and stole from my ancestors, and I am deeply offended that anybody would "celebrate" these people.

 

[Kite]

Nordic peoples raped and stole from my ancestors, and I am deeply offended that anybody would "celebrate" these people.

But I have this awesome drinking horn to go along with a badass hat.. (

 

[not psycho]

Afro Samurai must be the king of all racist costumes. No matter who uses it they are racist.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

But I have this awesome drinking horn to go along with a badass hat.. (

Too late, I'm calling the police.

 

[DOWN]

Insensitive and culture appropriation. May be racist depending the context.

EDIT: From the AMA awards. Was it really a controversy?

I read some controversy about the Avril Lavigne "Hello Kitty" video too, but that was also planned by Japanese label agents...

I find cultural appropriation confusing thanks to this thread. I am 100% certain tons of things in Japan and basically any developed nation are 'appropriated' from other cultures, not simply 'exchanged.' I am lost on where the line is and when it is offensive.

 

[freddy]

Nordic peoples raped and stole from my ancestors, and I am deeply offended that anybody would "celebrate" these people.

Does this include those descendants of the unfortunate recipients of the illegal activities of these plunderers? I'm not really sure where the red in my beard comes from and I try to cut those bits out.

Some people on this forum are ridiculously over sensitive and will find any excuse to bandy about accusations of racism or appropriation.

I see why nobody has any time to play games anymore, you're all eagle eyed looking for reasons to be offended on behalf of others, then falling over yourselves to explain why it's all so abhorrent when those 'affected' don't understand the problem.

It's like living in a nanny state where everyone has Stockholm Syndrome.

I'm sure some people keep spreadsheets of others posting habits. Then there are those who could do with a spreadsheet because their assumptions are so far off base.

 

[sprsk]

FWIW Japanese people from Japan love it when we do this shit.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Some people on this forum are ridiculously over sensitive and will find any excuse to bandy about accusations of racism or appropriation.

I see why nobody has any time to play games anymore, you're all eagle eyed looking for reasons to be offended on behalf of others, then falling over yourselves to explain why it's all so abhorrent when those 'affected' don't understand the problem.

It's like living in a nanny state where everyone has Stockholm Syndrome.

People have said this same sort of exaggerated shit all through time, and we're doing better than ever.

 

[zorlaczerohero]

These threads are pointless, ask a Geisha girl/African American Zombie battling Female Samurai if they're offended. Then you have your answer.

Intent to offend? Or not?

 

[Izuna]

is dressing like a subjugated minority in bad taste?

i say yes

Edit hahah nvm,

 

[Ratrat]

Afro Samurai must be the king of all racist costumes. No matter who uses it they are racist.

Heh... It would be okay if you were mixed or black but raised in japan...

 

[DrSlek]

This thread feels like it should not have needed to reach 4 pages.

 

[BocoDragon]

Heh... It would be okay if you were mixed or black but raised in japan...

When I was in Tokyo I saw the biggest and coolest brother with an Afro. He had a cute half-Japanese kid. I nominate him.

 

[Forkball]

Actually, there are multiple western geisha. Liza Dalby wrote a book about her experience This Australian woman may also currently be a geisha. I think there were even some before this. So if anyone gives you shit, just say your costume is Liza Dalby.

 

[Ratrat]

Actually, there are multiple western geisha. Liza Dalby wrote a book about her experience This Australian woman may also currently be a geisha. I think there were even some before this. So if anyone gives you shit, just say your costume is Liza Dalby.

There was also a black samurai.

 

[Soodanim]

Is person X doing something to take the piss? Y/N

If YES then
Racist

If NO then
Not racist

Context matters.

If someone is dressed up as a geisha girl and running round saying "Ching chong ching" then she's taking the piss. But in that case you also wouldn't likely see much effort put into the costume, and you could probably tell that someone who really put the effort in wasn't doing it to take the piss.

 

[AlexBasch]

Izunadono was banned for this thread? Damn.

 

[Lucumo]

It's completely fine. Same with that German girl who dressed as a black character from that one series.

 

[Keasar]

... I swear to god only white and black people get worked up over dumb shit like this. I've asked both sides of my family if they care if non asians wear china dresses or kimonos and got mostly puzzled who cares reactions. I'm dressing up as a viking for Halloween with full war paint, hopefully Nordic-gaf can forgive me for the appropriation of their culture (

lol

Your helmet better have exaggerated horns and you need to talk in a bad Scandinavian (preferably Swedish) accent at all time while wearing the costume.

Spoiler

Really though, knock yourself out, I am sure we in Scandinavia don't really care.

 

[GraveHorizon]

It can be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMCge2kFNhk

Haha, shit! I quote that literally every time I see the word "Saigon", and sometimes even similar sounding words. I love it.

 

[DBT85]

Is person X doing something to take the piss? Y/N

If YES then
Racist

If NO then
Not racist

Context matters.

If someone is dressed up as a geisha girl and running round saying "Ching chong ching" then she's taking the piss. But in that case you also wouldn't likely see much effort put into the costume, and you could probably tell that someone who really put the effort in wasn't doing it to take the piss.

It doesn't seem to be that simple in reality.

 

[TatteredHat]

It might offend some people, but that doesn't automatically make it racist.

 

[Herr K]

Why the fuck are some people on GAF such a ridiculous bunch? A sack of white neckbearded dudes fighting over a Halloween costume, because in their silly little tumblr-shit filled minds, it's super fucking racist and humiliating for the Japanese culture. The funniest part? These internet warrior are Japanese culture experts because they watch a couple anime shows and play Kamiya's games.

 

[Fudgepuppy]

Honest question: Does the context of Japanese culture make it not okay to dress up as anything japanese? If a japanese person dressed up as a cowboy, no one would take offense because of the context of America being a successful country and cowboys not being an indication of lesser privileged.

It's like, if a black person did the blackface equivalent of dressing up as a Swedish person, I wouldn't take offense, because I'm really privileged and feel I have nothing to complain about.

 

[kamorra]

Seriously, everyone who doesn't see racism here should stop posting. In the end it will get you banned.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

OK. I've gotta ask. Is there some new joke going around about how GAF is just a gathering of "white liberal neckbeard basement dwelling social warriors" or some shit? I was convinced the majority of you were joking..but I'm starting to feel otherwise lol.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Seriously, everyone who doesn't see racism here should stop posting. In the end it will get you banned.

I didn't see racism

I also know how to talk like a grownup

 

[eot]

There are places in Japan you go to and they dress you up in a costume, do all the makeup properly etc. so you can pose for some pictures. A Japanese friend took me to one. I doubt they find it racist or offensive if you're not using it to mock their culture.

 

[striferser]

Seriously, everyone who doesn't see racism here should stop posting. In the end it will get you banned.

Unlike that Walking dead cosplay, the whitening make up is part of the Geisha costume. So i don't see how this is racist. But then again, different culture.

 

[Bastos]

People think TOO MUCH over everything now.

Just relax, not everything is bad, racist, etc, bit if you think too much and start looking for it, every subject can turn into something bad.

I saw this a lot here on GAF in(on?) these last years. People should just stop looking for "bad" things in every discussed matter.

 

[Tempesta di Fuoco]

People need to stop throwing around the word racist towards everything and remember what racism actually is.

 

[Silky]

Not really?

 

[Mikeside]

Yeah let's save the word racist for actual displays of racism, lest we diminish the power of the word

 

[kamorra]

I didn't see racism

I also know how to talk like a grownup

Good for you. I'm not sure why you felt to proclaim that you are a big boy but still, good for you.

 

[AudioNoir]

This thread reminds me of the original music video for that Robot Unicorn Attack song... "Always"? I forget the band name.

Anyway, in the vid, the singer of the band is all dressed in "traditional" Japanese garb with a geisha looking girlfriend, and they turn into a snowball and kill demons. I remember the "geisha" was actually just a white girl with geisha makeup who squinted through the whole thing.

See, that might be racist. I mean, it was also funny in a second-hand embarrassment kinda way, but also racist. I don't think dressing as geisha "in good taste" is unacceptable. It would be if you were doing squinty eyes and talking Engrish like some jackass.

Or maybe I'm wrong. I never know anymore.

 

[Gonzalez]

Was dressing up like a California Raisin considered a form of black face?

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Good for you. I'm not sure why you felt to proclaim that you are a big boy but still, good for you.

I thought your concern for people who can't express their concerns without bile was touching

 

[Chuckie]

Good for you. I'm not sure why you felt to proclaim that you are a big boy but still, good for you.

Maybe because your post seemed condescending to him?

 

[kamorra]

I thought your concern for people who can't express their concerns without bile was touching

Thanks! That was quick as always.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Is a matador costume racist? How about a Canadian Mountie costume (sp?)? Or a british grenadier with the crazy hat? Etc. these are real things that people wear. The reason they are costumes is because they are so easily identifiable. If you have to explain your costume to someone it takes a lot of the fun out of it.

IMO it's only racist if you start mocking the race of the person behind the costume by using exaggerated stereotypes.

 

[The Omega Man]

I think it's more cultural appropriation.

Racist? No. A flagrant and vile example of cultural appropriation? Yes! And she should be ashamed of herself.

so a weaboo wearing a samurai costume is cultural appropriation too

 

[Buddha Beam]

hi I'm asian

Well sit down, asian fella – ol' whitey here is gonna lecture you about what you should be offended by.

Just for the record,

The people who usually think these kind of things are racist, aren't Japanese and often not even Asian.

Avril's video? Japan doesn't care.
Geisha costume? Wear it in Japan and people might even ask to get your photo taken.

I can actually attest to this last part. My ex was Japanese born and raised. When we were in Japan one time, she dressed up as a geisha/maiko. It was like this thing you could do in Kyoto and then you walk around the area for an hour or so. Tons of people stopped and asked to take their picture with her.
They also asked to take their picture with me, apparently because it's cool to get your picture taken with a big white guy wearing a Batman logo shirt, haha.

 

[Nephtis]

Had an acquaintance/customer come into work tonight wearing it. Pasty white makeup smeared all over her face. Even as a white male it made me a little uncomfortable. The girl is African-American, so I even felt she should be more sensitive to this issue (is that wrong for me to even think that?).

I feel like I'm not always sure what's acceptable these days, but I wasn't the only one who brought it up, so I pose the question to you, gaf.

If she was costuming as a geisha, then she was doing it right.

Geisha do put that white makeup all over their face and part of their chest (only the back of the neck is makeup-free):

Unless you're pretty familiar with the tradition, it's pretty normal to question why anyone would smear white paint on their face. There is nothing racist in doing so though -- Geisha have a pretty specific appearance and it looks like she was trying to be as accurate as possible.

It's commendable, if anything.

 

[UncleCross]

This thread feels like it should not have needed to reach 4 pages.

It shouldn't have reached one page. So glad no one I know in real life is an over-sensitive baby.

 

[_Ryo_]

As someone that considers himself obsessed with Japan and Japanese culture and is often called a Japanophile, it is my humble opinion that it is not racist at all. See, geisha is not a race. It is a profession.

Wearing costumes from certain professions is not in itself racist.

 

[panty]

What the fuck.

Of course not.

 

[goldenpp72]

Depends, was she trying to be racist?

 

[DBT85]

Seriously, everyone who doesn't see racism here should stop posting. In the end it will get you banned.

Hardly promoting discussion on the topic is it?