mycultureisnotatrend:

There is apparently controversy about “indie kids” wearing native american head garb because it is “culturally racist,” and the argument has gone as far as comparing the trend to “blackface”.

What are your thoughts on this argument?

No. There is no controversy. I promise. Nobody really…

* edit - I’ve been sitting on this for a while, but figured that I should finally post it.

I really enjoy Dearcoketalk, and often find her posts funny and enjoyable. She and I share something in common in that we both generally don’t sugarcoat what we’ve got to say. However, I don’t think that she’s the best resource to seek out in regards to why a trend like this matters so much to a marginalized group.

Also, (and I hate to justify this now, as my blog has stood for over a year without this info) - I’m not some cultural studies major. In all honesty I’m relatively new to the cultural debate arena (and am learning as I go). I have a BSCH  and a BAH (neither of which were remotely related to culture/ polysci or history etc). I have a good job. I shouldn’t have to say this to “prove” that my cause is worthy, and my motivations are legitimate. I am by no means “the worst kind of person.” Nor am I “1/16th Cherokee with a chip on my shoulder.”

I’m a member of a community that truly resents what is being done with and to our culture. Instead of whining about it in the background, I’m doing something about it. I think it’s quite unfortunate that so many people will dismiss my claims outright without even engaging in a little respectful debate first.

I know I’m making a difference. I get emails and messages of support every day. They come peppered between the hatemail like m&m’s in a shitty trailmix. These notes are not just from people who agree with me, but from those who actively opposed me, but were able to step back, re-evaluate, and had the courage to change their minds.

There will always be dissenters - but they don’t call it an uphill battle for nothing. Sisyphus-ian or not, I’m going to keep at it. 

EDIT: Actually, instead of reblogging this, let me add some commentary - as someone who has been actively excluded from opportunities and options ever since childhood by people who saw it fit to appropriate my culture but then blame people like me for all the ill in the world and basically ostracize me:

The day y’all give us the same access to explore our culture openly without retribution, harassment, or being called “non-assimilative/a country bumpkin”;
The day you let us wear whatever the hell we want without either berating us for not being “traditional’ or not being “modern” enough;
The day you stop spreading rumours, untruths, and harmful urban legends about minorities that then get justified as reason to hurt us and affect our livelihood;
The day you let us represent ourselves instead of shunning us in favour of someone more “camera-friendly”;

- that day will be when we’ll stop making a fuss about cultural appropriation.

Deal?