Take henna art, or Mehndi, for example. Appropriation is already a microaggression against people of color. Here's the thing about appropriation. It was illegal for Natives to practice their religion (including smudging) until 1978 in the U.S. It's something they've had to fight for. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. But today, wearing body jewelries like chain and beads are mostly seen as a cultural thing but as fashion. Let's be friends!Instagram: stylesenpaiTwitter: thefuumanchuuBlog: http://thefuumanchuu.blogspot.com And before you try to say Im privileged because my white culture has lasted so many millennia, Id educate you, but youre perfectly capable of using a search engine to find out about the fall of the Greek Empire, the marginalization and persecution of the Greeks under Ottoman rule and the Greek Genocide. What do you think of these Latina students telling white girls to take off their hoop earrings? If you're using a string, mark on the string where the two ends meet, then measure that . So, yeah, the hoops are mine. They then earn credit, praise, and income for those recipes, while people of color continue to struggle for the same recognition and success. We must all ask ourselves whether wearing these many types of body jewellery is cultural appropriation or an appreciation of different cultures. You can appreciate and share cultural elements without appropriating. Full stop. And make no mistake, hoops are the main focus here and the most bizarre because theyve been worn across continents across history. worn around the waist has appeared in several aspects ofAfrican culturesuch as dress, Is it okay to wear jeans on a golf course, Are Hey Dude Shoes Good for Standing all Day, How to use Waist Beads for Weight Loss Steps. How to Handle Cultural Appropriation: 16 Examples, Next Steps - Healthline Download. This misrepresentation leaves people of color in a marginalized position where they lack the same opportunities for recognition, success, and profit. While the term "cultural appropriation" is shrouded in uncertainty, there is undoubtedly a role for intellectual property (IP) in curbing this harmful practice. Follow her on Twitter @AlexaShrugged. Unlike a necklace or a bracelet that has a defined space, body chains can . Appropriation refers to taking something that doesnt belong to you or your culture. To me this is not some sort of appropriation but rather adaptation. We break it. 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. Its a lived experience. Bath and Body Works Black History line doesn't promote empowerment The Shoshone-Bannock and Luiseo artist, who is based on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, began experimenting with art and fashion design when she was only 18, and launched her fashion brand in . Oh yeah and youve driven your campervan around Australia engaging in Kumbaya campfire singalongs and numerous appropriated versions of the song Guri Ina Nami. Much of this critique focuses on her lack of recognition and respect for Mexican culture, the workers who actually produce the tequila but dont see much of the profit, and agave shortages in Mexico. Belly chains are common among women in India. Wearing Miss EmpowHer waist beads is a form of cultural appreciation, not appropriation. Are Waist Beads Cultural Appropriation? - YouTube Associate Professor (Level D) in Allied Health Research, Lecturer (Level B) / Senior Lecturer (Level C) in Social Work, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee. This directly borrows from the culture and supports that artisans who create the intricate waist beads. i still need to learn more behind the meaning but i dont think it its culture appropriation. While traveling in Mexico, Dorsey confronted her own assumptions about barbacoa and Chipotle's beefy representation of the delicacy. The need to find/discover ones self via the culture and heritage of a different people is nonsensical to me. The schools houses also feature Rowlings reimagined versions of important beings in Native American mythology as creature mascots. Whaaaat. So, whether appreciated or appropriated culturally, the body chains and waist beads are an important part of culture today. Plenty of people have been guilty of cultural appropriation without realizing it. Check out our range of nose & septum rings, sleepers & studs. White and any other color girls should be able to wear whatever earrings they want because this is America and women can wear what they want to feel good about themselves without being earring-shamed (hows that for feminism?!) This appropriation shows a serious lack of understanding and respect of protocols. Culturerefers to anything associated with a group of people based on their ethnicity, religion, geography, or social environment. By replacing the traditional artisan with a machine to pump out the product quickly and cheaply is cultural appropriation. Have I given credit to the creator and the culture it came from? In the end, everything depends on the subjectivity of the individual and their assessment of the pieces historical context. By not everyone, we mean white people.. Depending on the material that the body chains were made of, others wore the chains as a way of showing off their affluence. 6 Quick Tips For Wearing Cartier Love Bracelet All The Time, Why Is Italian Gold (Jewelry) More Expensive? Waist beads have grown in popularity as a fashion accessory for a wide range of . But they should also take time to acknowledge its cultural roots. There is absolutely no additional cost to you if you take action (click, purchase, subscribe) with one of these links. In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, every newborn receives a waist chain as a cultural pact. For white people, this involves doing some potentially uncomfortable work. I discovered waist chains a while ago and wanted to finally buy one but noticed it's mostly women of colour wearing them in the pictures. Try having a first name everyone thinks is Alexis and a Greek last name if you want to talk about mispronunciation and spelling, sweetie. Ultimately, it all comes down to an individuals subjectivity and an understanding of the appreciation of the history associated with the pieces. 13 year olds? You do you. Thanks for your input. Some will say Black Americans shouldn't wear/do things from Africa, others will say it's fine. Cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation? The foot is regarded in Hinduism as the humblest and most impure part of the body since it touches the ground first. Just know that true sharing requires permission, acknowledgment, and respect. The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria is credited for popularising African waist bead chains. Cultural Appropriation In Fashion | A Complete Guide - Shilpa Ahuja Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com. naming teams after animals, What we want to achieve in our classroom is the promotion of cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. A recent recipe on Half Baked Harvest, a well-known food blog, drew criticism from many followers. Is Wearing A Body Chain Cultural Appropriation? Im black, and I was wanting to wear these but my aunt said they arent supposed to be warn in public and privately only because theyre a spiritual thong. As a white woman, Adele can style her hair in any number of ways without facing judgment or criticism. Now THATS privilege. This doesnt make you black because proximity is not a valid criterion. without permission. Chef Jenny Dorsey examines why fast-casual chains get a pass on culturally appropriating dishes in an essay for Eater. Tell us in the comments below! Its OK to make mistakes, but its also important to inform yourself so you avoid further appropriation going forward. But what about wearing the yukata around your house back home, saying, Japanese people dress like this every day? When it comes to giving compliments, try this, Language and labels are important parts of understanding your gender as well as knowing how to affirm and support that of other folks! Some African artisans use them for African spiritual practices. so why would you want to wear them if you don't engage in those cultures? 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". Oh, and that slogan you leftists love to chant at protests? According to a poem from the fourteenth century, mens waist chains were popular in several regions of South India. We need to talk about cultural appropriation in fashion Failing to assimilate can carry heavy consequences, including fewer opportunities for work or career advancement and racist violence or threats. Answer (1 of 7): No, it is not. Thank you for your input on this. I am sick of buying my grandchildren woomeras that wont throw a spear, boomerangs that wont come back, and bullroarers that dont roar, said Bob Katter in a recent submission to parliament. Material harm [and] 2. Yes, white people can wear the waist beads, and there is really no rule that is against white people or anyone else wearing the waist beads. Am I using this item (or clothing, word, practice, and so on) to learn more about the culture? You also seek to understand people of that culture, as well as the culture itself, more completely instead of contributing to stereotypes. Being white and wearing a dashiki might be interpreted as problematic; wearing one with cornrows or dreadlocks in your hair almost certainly would be. While I've seen multiple origins of dreads, none of them are anywhere near where I'm from. I'd still like a waist chain, though. Bantu knots are an African hairstyle with a long history. Afashionblog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Although the definitions of waist chains and beaded waist chains may differ, some people view them as examples of cultural appropriation, much like they do with other types of body jewellery. 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. And thanks to the size of Venus, the body chain is believed to have been used to adorn the statue of Venue rather than a real woman, as is the case today. I'm black. insist its fine because you have a friend from that culture, challenge them because they cant speak for every member of their culture, explain you didnt mean to cause any harm or tell them theyre being too sensitive, Hey! To sum up: White culture cant be appropriated. Appropriation generally exploits other cultures and reinforces stereotypes. About that winged eyeliner, you better talk to Cleopatra. All the same, taking a little extra time to research and better understand a culture and its language, and communicate with people from that culture, could easily help prevent such mistakes. So Is Wearing A Body Chain Cultural Appropriation? (Why are the students at this school even paying the $66,192 yearly tuition when they could be learning from Professor Google for free?) While copying and imitation has been central to artistic practice in many cultures for millennia, appropriation as a creative technique rose to prominence in avant-garde modernist movements in the early 20th century. The role of appropriation has transgressed centuries amongst underdeveloped countries, but specifically black female bodies. 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! But instead, I love that I can see the culture of my ancestors used everywhere. The waist beads that originate from West Africa, for example, are of great significance, and they symbolize sensuality, fertility, and femininity. Why Language Matters, 7 Ways of Honoring Other Cultures That Are Really Just Cultural Appropriation, Cultural Appropriation in Fiction: Here Are Some Tips to Consider When Your Writing Includes Different Cultures, nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect, stu.ca/lnap/henna-its-history-and-cultural-significance, tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21565503.2019.1674160, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468796819866498, sites.austincc.edu/accent/cultural-appreciation-vs-cultural-appropriation-why-it-matters, herculture.org/blog/2016/5/3/henna-cultural-appreciation-or-cultural-appropriation, open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/3-2-the-elements-of-culture, pbs.org/whatihear/web-series/cultural-appropriation/, Theres a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation Heres Why It Matters, How to Be Human: Giving the Right Compliment to Someone About Their Body, 68 Terms That Describe Gender Identity and Expression. There is evidence that these beaded chains were worn as early as the fifteenth century for a variety of reasons, including rites of passage and as a prestige symbol. COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. One defense of this email says that they were talking about the appropriation of chola style, but, as Urban Dictionary confirms my recollection of when I first heard the term in the 90s, dramatic thin, dark, drawn-in eyebrows and dark lip liner are the most recognizable hallmarks of a chola. At the same time, the body chains and waist beads are largely considered an aesthetic, and not everyone recognizes them as adornments with a form of cultural significance. By contributing to misleading and harmful stereotypes, it prevents opportunities for true understanding and cultural exchange. Understanding the significance of the chains and purchasing them from Indian and African-owned businesses is cultural appreciation. Taking time to learn more about specific cultures and keeping the questions above in mind can help you work toward anti-racism and greater sensitivity across the board. Here are some other areas of irritation and appropriation that would make us cry if we didnt have such a deadly cathartic sense of humour. Oxford Dictionary, which only put the phrase into its official lexicon in 2017, defines cultural appropriation as "the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. Or at least that's my opinion. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It is believed that the body chains were worn as accessories draped over ones shoulders and also around the hips. Wondering exactly what counts as cultural appropriation? Time to wake up, my white sisters. Marni Faces Backlash For Digital Campaign And Its Cultural Appropriation And why waste time talking to and interacting with other cultures in the intellectual environment of a university when you can lecture people about their privilege then tell them to Google things when challenged by skeptics or even engaged by sympathizers? This wasn't a one-off; in previous years, the brand has come under fire for pieces that were insensitive . Is Lead Compliant Jewelry Safe To Wear? 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. List Of Clothing Brands With A Hummingbird Logo. Earlier this summer, Kim Kardashian and her daughter North West sported matching silver nose ring chains while attending the Jean-Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2022 show at Paris Fashion Week. In the 1500's it migrated from the Middle East and then reaching Western Civilization by the 20th century and becoming the smallest and most popular body jewelry to date. I have dreads. It's pretty hypocritical and not fully thought out. After you decide, wrap measuring tape or string around that part of your body to get the measurement. So in case you missed it Take a look at ABC Black Comedy: Black White Woman Part 1. 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! as long as you learn the meaning and dont disrepect the culture and point behind it. But when you wear henna for nontraditional reasons and fail to acknowledge its actual meaning and importance, youre appropriating, not appreciating. These body chains were not thin chains but linked medallions probably why these denoted the power and the authority of the males that ruled at the time. The short answer is no. Surf Therapy: 5 Products We Recommend in 2023, How Parental Support Affects Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth, Exercise May Be More Effective Than Medication for Managing Mental Health: What to Know, Q&A: Why Jewels New Meataverse Mental Health App Is a Game Changer, The Top 9 Online Psychiatry Services for 2023, sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names, naming teams after animals, plants, or noncultural concepts, choosing body art that doesnt carry cultural significance, presenting yoga as a wellness practice favored by white women, acknowledging yogas origin as an Indian spiritual practice, smudging, or the burning of white sage, by non-Indigenous people, getting tattoos or wearing accessories featuring religious symbols when you dont practice that religion, researching a planned tattoo to make sure it doesnt have religious or cultural significance, purchasing inaccurate knockoffs of cultural designs and art, like Navajo-inspired blankets or clothing with tribal designs, buying household items, art, and jewelry directly from the artisans who made them, writing a novel that combines stereotypical elements of various cultures and rebranding it as a new culture, researching and writing a historical fiction novel that accurately represents any cultures included, sharing photos of private or sacred cultural traditions on social media, asking permission before taking (or sharing) photos of festivals or other cultural practices, food bloggers creating recipes inspired by cuisines of other cultures without acknowledging the real work or significance of the traditional dish, learning about the cultural significance of key ingredients or preparation steps before modifying traditional recipes.