Halloween and "cultural appropriation"

The mail and the video they linked to say these things are bad. The video shows a Hawaiian girl sobbing that someone wearing a lei somehow hurts her feelings and literally ridicules her ancestors and makes her cry or something.

I mean, I am all for common sense, of course, like someone posted above, wearing a Sheikh outfit - fine - wearing a Sheikh outfit and a bomb strap - not fine, because offensive to other children or parents of Middle Easter descent.

Same with blackface, etc.

But they literally sent a video where a Hawaiian girl destroys a lei because somehow wearing that if you are not Hawaiian is super offensive. I just don't agree with that. That's the only reason I started this thread.

I also spoke to my super-woke Chief of Staff (who is Indian) - she laughed and thought the mail and the video were ridiculous.

 

I guess you didn't watch the video.

 

Video basically has this girl sobbing about how wearing a lei violates her ancestors or something, and then she rips it apart to emphasize how wearing one if you are not from Hawaii would be super offensive. The school sent that video to explain what would not be acceptable for a kid to do, because the kid would commit "cultural appropriation".

 

If you look at the comments under that hyper-woke video of "Teen Vogue" from 6 years ago they decided to send to us, you will see that practically everyone thinks the video is idiotic.

 

I had ChatGPT summarize just a few of the top comments under the video.

Summary of Top Comments Under the Video:



The comments section reveals a variety of perspectives, with many viewers expressing disagreement with the video’s stance on cultural appropriation. Here are the main themes and points raised by the commenters:



1. Cultural Sharing and Appreciation:

• Embracing Cultural Exchange: Numerous commenters from diverse backgrounds (e.g., Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Mexican, Chilean, Brazilian, Italian, Irish, Norwegian) encourage others to wear, eat, or use elements from their cultures. They view cultural exchange as a positive way to promote love, acceptance, and unity among different communities.

• Celebration of Diversity: Some highlight cultural events like Brazil’s Carnival, where people wear costumes representing various cultures without causing offense, suggesting that such practices celebrate rather than appropriate cultures.

2. Opposition to the Concept of Cultural Appropriation:

• Overemphasis and Oversensitivity: Many feel that concerns over cultural appropriation are exaggerated, arguing that people are becoming overly sensitive and easily offended by minor issues.

• Victimhood Culture: There’s a sentiment that some individuals adopt a victim mentality, seeing oppression where it may not exist, which could hinder resilience and adaptability in the real world.

3. Freedom of Expression:

• Personal Freedom: Commenters assert that individuals should have the freedom to wear what they want, as long as it’s not done in a racist or intentionally harmful manner. They believe that restricting costumes impinges on personal liberties and self-expression.

• Artistic and Creative Expression: Some argue that wearing costumes from different cultures is a form of appreciation and a way to break down barriers, fostering understanding through immersive experience.

4. Double Standards and Segregation:

• Perceived Double Standards: A few commenters point out that if cultural appropriation is offensive, it should apply universally—including the adoption of elements from majority or Western cultures. They question why only certain cultures are protected from appropriation.

• Segregation Concerns: There is concern that insisting people stick to their own cultures promotes segregation and echoes historical practices of cultural separation.

5. Intent Matters:

• Distinguishing Between Appreciation and Mockery: Many emphasize the importance of intent, arguing that wearing cultural attire out of genuine appreciation is different from doing so to mock or stereotype a culture.

• Educational Opportunities: Wearing cultural items can spark conversations and learning opportunities about different traditions and histories.

6. Cultural Exchange as Positive:

• Historical Intermingling: Commenters note that cultures have historically borrowed from each other, leading to societal advancement and enrichment.

• Breaking Down Barriers: Engaging with other cultures is seen as a way to reduce prejudice and promote global unity.

7. Criticism of the Video’s Perspective:

• Not Representative of All Views: Some feel the video doesn’t represent everyone’s opinions within the featured cultures, suggesting that not all individuals from those backgrounds find cultural exchange offensive.

• Inaccuracies and Misleading Statements: Specific critiques include questioning the accuracy of historical claims made in the video, such as the legality of practicing Hawaiian culture.

8. Bigger Issues to Address:

• Prioritizing More Pressing Problems: Several commenters express that there are more significant global issues (e.g., poverty, hunger) that deserve attention over debates about cultural appropriation in costumes.

9. Humor and Sarcasm:

• Use of Irony to Make Points: Some comments employ sarcasm to highlight what they see as the absurdity of the video’s message, joking about being offended by others using aspects of their own cultures (e.g., language, food, holidays).

10. Calls for Inclusivity:

• Against Segregation of Cultures: Commenters advocate for an inclusive approach where cultural elements are shared openly, viewing this as a way to foster mutual respect and understanding.

• Encouraging Open Participation: Many invite others to partake in their cultural practices without fear of causing offense, seeing this openness as beneficial to society.



Conclusion:



The overarching sentiment in the comments is a favoring of cultural appreciation over the concept of cultural appropriation as portrayed in the video. Many viewers advocate for freedom of expression and the positive effects of cultural exchange, emphasizing that intent and respect are key factors. They encourage sharing and celebrating different cultures as a means to promote unity and understanding, rather than seeing such exchanges as offensive or harmful.

 

What exactly?