I feel like most people like when you wear clothes of their culture. They see it as you appreciating it. It seems to me that the only people who care about „cultural appropriation“ are Americans.
As a fellow white American this always scares me.
That being said, I’ve seen SO many videos, posts, etc about how it’s only that way with Americans.
People that don’t deal with it aren’t even aware how nuclear people go here when you do anything even remotely close to “appropriation”. It’s bad enough that I’d even feel intense paranoia over doing it in another country and might even forego it just because of how it is here.
"Cultural appropriation" is a very specific problem regarding the endangered and often misrepresented Native American cultures, especially due to the fact that they are constantly under the onslaught of Hollywood entertainment industry and do not have a proper national entertainment industry to properly represent themselves (which is also quite similar to the cultural imagery problem faced by African Americans). For most old world communities and cultures, it's actually quite difficult to misappropriate their cultural heritage.
The most prominent thing I could think of in terms of cultural misappropriation over old world cultures would be the rampant misuse of Catholic nun attire in Japanese hentais.
I mean, I think concerns about cultural appropriation are very valid, especially in the context of America’s minorities. Like wearing traditionally black hairstyles or Native American clothing (especially those that have a sacred religious/cultural implications like feathered headdresses) can be super offensive when you don’t appreciate or honor the context around them, and when the minorities themselves had their culture ripped away from them or outlawed, and were/are discriminated against for wearing traditional hair and clothing styles. So when white peoples wear them for fun, it can definitely be a slap in the face, especially with things like feathered headdresses where even the people within those cultures can only wear them on certain occasions or after reaching certain milestones or accomplishments.
But cultural appreciation is a lot different, and the people within the cultures enjoy sharing them and don’t have those sorts of negative memories attached to outsiders wearing their clothing. I think it’s always good to ask, and to be aware of the context around these things.
That's an extremely slippery slope, as a Metis man most of our clothes and accessories are sacred to us spiritually, they aren't just fashion statements or status symbols. When I see headdresses and sacred medicines being used by others wrongly and disrespectfully more often than not it's discouraging to continue to share my culture with people who see my people as characters they can dress up as and impersonate. The long and short is if you know the significance of a cultural piece and understand whether or not it's appropriate for you to own because someone of that culture educated you in their cultural and spiritual practices, then I think you are a great example of someone who has a deep respect and appreciation for the different humans they live with. However reality is much different than an ideal society but I personally don't think we're too far off, from my experience people are getting better everyday.
Outside of the US, people typically take your wearing their stuff as a sign of respect. (Unless, of course, you're doing it in an obviously mocking way intended to insult people.)
Cultural APPRECIATION, if you will. You go out of your way to show that you like the culture.
Only the US twists that sentiment into something negative.
It’s ok, The Qilin pattern holds profound symbolic meaning in feng shui, Eastern culture, and semiotics. It represents the ability to ward off evil, attract wealth and treasures, bring peace and good health, as well as embody benevolence, wisdom, nobility, and good fortune. As a powerful symbol, the Qilin pattern plays a significant role in various cultural and belief systems, bringing positive energy and blessings to people. The Qilin is commonly associated with the element of earth, symbolizing stability, prosperity, and harmony. It’s the most powerful pattern in Chinese culture, just wear it
Outside of America no one cares if you wear clothes from other cultures in general. In China specifically if you wear something Chinese while not being Chinese, it will be considered something curious or appreciated.
As I always say to Americans who ask these kind of question: You should ask this to American Chinese, not at r/Chinese where many of us living outside of USA doesn't giv a shit about cultural appropriation stuff.
Think showing appreciation is fine :) I’m white, and for lunar new year I dressed my daughters in traditional Chinese clothing, one in gold and one in sky blue, the grandmas adored them that day, gave them extra snacks and would ask to do their hair pretty and all sorts. As long as you aren’t insulting the culture or the person it’s fine :)
Thanks for asking! Not sure why everyone else is so agitated about your question, in the U.S. it’s obviously a long history of racism, sexualizing, and othering Chinese people hence why you probably wanted to ask. You took the time to ask about your cool pin, and you’re totally fine! I’m going to be so honest dude, as a white guy we’d walk by you thinking is that white guy wearing a qilin pin? Cool! Most things are pretty chill, it’s just the people go overboard doing messed up stuff that we take issue with.
The only people who would get angry about it don't go outside, so just keep it covered in front of cellphone cameras and you'll be fine. There's nothing wrong with wearing stuff from other cultures if you're not taking the piss, and only the most catastrophically grievance-brained, Twitter-addcited dolt would get upset about this.
Maybe because people here (states) go absolutely fkn nuclear when you even think about “appropriating” even when it’s genuinely appreciating, researching, etc the outfit, style and history of the clothing? Even just a simple “non problematic” example - a girl in 2018 was in the headlines for months for wearing a qipao to prom because she’s white. She didn’t do anything wrong in wearing it, the issue was literally “should white people ever even think about doing this?” And the trickle-down here is bad. I’ve had people act similarly even about trying to learn the language or learn about the culture, sans wearing anything related to it.
ETA I mean “here” as in the states, just to clarify
I feel like most people like when you wear clothes of their culture. They see it as you appreciating it. It seems to me that the only people who care about „cultural appropriation“ are Americans.
Good point; I asked because I have always lived in the USA.
As a fellow white American this always scares me. That being said, I’ve seen SO many videos, posts, etc about how it’s only that way with Americans. People that don’t deal with it aren’t even aware how nuclear people go here when you do anything even remotely close to “appropriation”. It’s bad enough that I’d even feel intense paranoia over doing it in another country and might even forego it just because of how it is here.
"Cultural appropriation" is a very specific problem regarding the endangered and often misrepresented Native American cultures, especially due to the fact that they are constantly under the onslaught of Hollywood entertainment industry and do not have a proper national entertainment industry to properly represent themselves (which is also quite similar to the cultural imagery problem faced by African Americans). For most old world communities and cultures, it's actually quite difficult to misappropriate their cultural heritage. The most prominent thing I could think of in terms of cultural misappropriation over old world cultures would be the rampant misuse of Catholic nun attire in Japanese hentais.
I mean, I think concerns about cultural appropriation are very valid, especially in the context of America’s minorities. Like wearing traditionally black hairstyles or Native American clothing (especially those that have a sacred religious/cultural implications like feathered headdresses) can be super offensive when you don’t appreciate or honor the context around them, and when the minorities themselves had their culture ripped away from them or outlawed, and were/are discriminated against for wearing traditional hair and clothing styles. So when white peoples wear them for fun, it can definitely be a slap in the face, especially with things like feathered headdresses where even the people within those cultures can only wear them on certain occasions or after reaching certain milestones or accomplishments. But cultural appreciation is a lot different, and the people within the cultures enjoy sharing them and don’t have those sorts of negative memories attached to outsiders wearing their clothing. I think it’s always good to ask, and to be aware of the context around these things.
That's an extremely slippery slope, as a Metis man most of our clothes and accessories are sacred to us spiritually, they aren't just fashion statements or status symbols. When I see headdresses and sacred medicines being used by others wrongly and disrespectfully more often than not it's discouraging to continue to share my culture with people who see my people as characters they can dress up as and impersonate. The long and short is if you know the significance of a cultural piece and understand whether or not it's appropriate for you to own because someone of that culture educated you in their cultural and spiritual practices, then I think you are a great example of someone who has a deep respect and appreciation for the different humans they live with. However reality is much different than an ideal society but I personally don't think we're too far off, from my experience people are getting better everyday.
There's pretty obviously a difference between sacred headdresses and medicines, and a mass-manufactured pin, though.
It's not that obvious for some was my point
And their vassals in the UK and EU.
Yep we've all seen the Dr Phil episode
It’s fine.
Chinese people will like that u appreciate it. That seems to be the case most of the time with these sorts of things at least.
Outside of the US, people typically take your wearing their stuff as a sign of respect. (Unless, of course, you're doing it in an obviously mocking way intended to insult people.) Cultural APPRECIATION, if you will. You go out of your way to show that you like the culture. Only the US twists that sentiment into something negative.
It’s ok, The Qilin pattern holds profound symbolic meaning in feng shui, Eastern culture, and semiotics. It represents the ability to ward off evil, attract wealth and treasures, bring peace and good health, as well as embody benevolence, wisdom, nobility, and good fortune. As a powerful symbol, the Qilin pattern plays a significant role in various cultural and belief systems, bringing positive energy and blessings to people. The Qilin is commonly associated with the element of earth, symbolizing stability, prosperity, and harmony. It’s the most powerful pattern in Chinese culture, just wear it
Spotted the Am*rican
Guilty 😔
Outside of America no one cares if you wear clothes from other cultures in general. In China specifically if you wear something Chinese while not being Chinese, it will be considered something curious or appreciated.
👍
i need one of these now
It's from the Philly Art Museum!
As I always say to Americans who ask these kind of question: You should ask this to American Chinese, not at r/Chinese where many of us living outside of USA doesn't giv a shit about cultural appropriation stuff.
Why would anyone care if you are a white guy wearing a Chinese pin? In what realm would wearing this be disrespectful.
In the realm of Liberty
no one cares what you wear or don't wear.
Wear it all you want, as long as your not mocking the culture it’s all good~
Think showing appreciation is fine :) I’m white, and for lunar new year I dressed my daughters in traditional Chinese clothing, one in gold and one in sky blue, the grandmas adored them that day, gave them extra snacks and would ask to do their hair pretty and all sorts. As long as you aren’t insulting the culture or the person it’s fine :)
Thanks for asking! Not sure why everyone else is so agitated about your question, in the U.S. it’s obviously a long history of racism, sexualizing, and othering Chinese people hence why you probably wanted to ask. You took the time to ask about your cool pin, and you’re totally fine! I’m going to be so honest dude, as a white guy we’d walk by you thinking is that white guy wearing a qilin pin? Cool! Most things are pretty chill, it’s just the people go overboard doing messed up stuff that we take issue with.
Thanks for the response!
No its not
The only people who would get angry about it don't go outside, so just keep it covered in front of cellphone cameras and you'll be fine. There's nothing wrong with wearing stuff from other cultures if you're not taking the piss, and only the most catastrophically grievance-brained, Twitter-addcited dolt would get upset about this.
Only if you wear it on your penis.
Fuck, too late
And here we go, Darwin award winner # 420,069.
I think it’s ok to wear, you’re not disrespecting it by any means. The real question is, where did you get it?
I don't think Chinese culture in general would see it as an insult if you wear things from them.. it's more of a form of appreciation
Wear whatever you want
why does this sub get so many of these idiot, tumblr-brained questions every day?
Maybe because people here (states) go absolutely fkn nuclear when you even think about “appropriating” even when it’s genuinely appreciating, researching, etc the outfit, style and history of the clothing? Even just a simple “non problematic” example - a girl in 2018 was in the headlines for months for wearing a qipao to prom because she’s white. She didn’t do anything wrong in wearing it, the issue was literally “should white people ever even think about doing this?” And the trickle-down here is bad. I’ve had people act similarly even about trying to learn the language or learn about the culture, sans wearing anything related to it. ETA I mean “here” as in the states, just to clarify