If its not your culture being appropriated, is it really your place to say anything? This might feel uncomfortable, but its worth it, since it could help them avoid appropriation, too. So, if you like waist beads or body chains, you should wear them, and have fun with them. We have a term within the Black community . Heres a good guideline to keep in mind: If you have permission to participate in that culture and use or share specific elements, youre not appropriating.Say youre visiting a Japanese friend from college who invites you to celebrate the summer festival Tanabata. Time to wake up, my white sisters. Now she is also a writer for our website. Each fashion week, the legacy of luxury giants adopting minorities' culture resurfaces. Colleen Murphy. And if they say, "Actually, please don't take that thing, it is very special to me and my family," you will probably respect their wishes and leave it alone (I hope!). How dehumanizing! 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. Whaaaat. If others happened to witness the appropriation maybe they saw your outfit or read your social media post consider touching base with them on what youve learned. TODAYS tradition of nose rings comes from Middle East's Culture BUT it can be found in all types of different cultures around the world with different meanings and can . Take henna art, or Mehndi, for example. Now THATS privilege. The idea that cultural appropriation is primarily a form of erasure - a kind of emotional violence in which people are rendered invisible - came along later. It became popular on the app TikTok in 2020 but that isnt where it started. When any one look closely to different people all over the world, you will see the is fast and recent adaptation of different cultures and not only body chains or beads. 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. While being culturally appreciated by the rest of the world, the decision by the Western nations to now label the chain as belly beads or the beaded waist chains rather than the waist beads can be considered a form of cultural appropriation. You share your knowledge only with permission and always credit people who belong to that culture. And this is why. Is it okay for a white person to celebrate the culture of a nonwhite country? In addition, posing celebrities are often pushing new styles and have a significant impact on younger people. Razor blades? These changes fail to acknowledge the original cultures and render authentic recipes inauthentic. The chain could be heavy and thick or delicate and tiny. Material harm [and] 2. Culturerefers to anything associated with a group of people based on their ethnicity, religion, geography, or social environment. 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. As a African women I think that it okay for you to wear it but just dont change the name of it and things. Yeah, there are some inconsistencies with the concept. She is based in Northern Virginia and blogs at AlexaShrugged.com. But wearing them merely for aesthetic reasons without knowing anything about them is cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation has always been an underlying issue in the fashion industry, with many top designers flippantly turning elements of culture into everyday fashion accessories. 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. For white people, this involves doing some potentially uncomfortable work. Who would want to be an atheistic liberal communist anyway? Is Lead Compliant Jewelry Safe To Wear? The foot is regarded in Hinduism as the humblest and most impure part of the body since it touches the ground first. We break it. Rowlings History of Magic in North America stories have earned plenty of criticism for the way they present Native American culture. Ariana Grande's Blackfishing. People today tends to try out new things in their own way and that is why even the name has changed to belly chains. 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. Payals, or anklets, are meant to symbolize the arrival of a wife into her husband's house. The chain could be heavy and thick or delicate and tiny. Thanks for your input on this. 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. But is your decision to wear a body chain considered a form of cultural appropriation or a form of disrespect to some ancient culture? It's about treating other people and their traditions/ideas/beliefs with respect. Heres the first clue: If a person of color says your behavior is culturally appropriative, take that criticism at face value. 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. Kim Kardashian West has been accused of cultural appropriation after launching a brand of figure-hugging underwear called 'Kimono.' fashion Kim Kardashian Kimono lingerie line sparks Japanese anger Pint-sized pop star Ariana Grande has been accused of appropriating Japanese culture, and blackfishing. Navigating the niceties of appropriation versus appreciation can, admittedly, prove a little challenging. However, our sentiments are different from this in that the body chains are more of a means of cultural appreciation rather than cultural appropriation. Read more topics here or here ! While I've seen multiple origins of dreads, none of them are anywhere near where I'm from. Apparently, paying to have someone blow a didjeridu over your body is reported to provide relief for a wide range of joint, muscular and skeletal-related pain as well as promote accelerated healing in various forms of bone trauma. Am I using this item (or clothing, word, practice, and so on) to learn more about the culture? Learn the meaning of it and what it stands for, I see a lot of non-Africans not covering there waist beads. Cultural appropriation causes harm because it contributes to ongoing oppression and exploitation of other cultures. 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. This appropriation shows a serious lack of understanding and respect of protocols. //. Also, the more I read about waist beads, the less I want them. However, further research points to the fact that the body chains were part of several other ancient civilizations, with recent records showing that the body chains, as well as the linked medallions, were prevalent during the Byzantine Empire. We Greeks are a prideful people who embrace how our civilization has been appropriated cue Mr. Portokalos in My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding bragging about finding the Greek root in every word. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. The black and brown bodies who typically wear hooped earrings, (and other accessories like winged eyeliner, gold name plate necklaces, etc) are typically viewed as ghetto, and are not taken seriously by others in their daily lives. The cultural practice was culturally diffused a long, long time ago. In addition to this, astrology also has associations with the body chains featured as part of the Roman and Greek art associated with the planet/star Venus, and subsequently, the goddess of love. 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. Consequently, white people continue to benefit and hold positions of power. When Japanese Americans are interned, the act is justified by . When a person from a specific culture explains that your actions are harmful, theyre harmful. Plenty of people have been guilty of cultural appropriation without realizing it. In the midst of Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, we fawn over the drop-dead-gorgeous beauty looks, but we can't help but also acknowledge the blatant racism that . Appropriating these items for your own use without taking time to recognize and explore their significance diminishes, demeans, and disrespects that culture and its people. Cultural appropriation is using or taking something from another culture without giving proper recognition or respect to that culture. Anyone can make a grammatical error, particularly in a language that isnt their first. This for some people are seen as good thing as the world is turning greatly into a global community why others might see it as cultural appropriation especially the wearing of body chains or beads. Winifred Johnson, assistant professor of history at Bethune-Cookman University said the Bath & Body Works Black History store display and product line are a case of cultural appropriation. They are frequently fashioned of gold or silver. Bala. Shop now at Lovisa! Learn more. When the Renegade went viral, Harmon remained uncredited. So, yeah, the hoops are mine. When you witness a friend or loved one appropriating someone elses culture, you might wonder whether its best to keep quiet. The well-renowned international shoe designer collaborated with Noongar artist Peter Farmer in 2017 to make two pairs of high . Is Wearing A Body Chain Cultural Appropriation? They then earn credit, praise, and income for those recipes, while people of color continue to struggle for the same recognition and success. You can see that wearing waist beads today are very common and you might see it as a general thing but it actually originated in Africa. But this also is totally dependent on individuals. Yet many Black women continue to face stigma and discrimination when they style their hair naturally instead of using painful chemical straightening treatments to look more professional (in other words, white). "Waist beads are made to fit the lifestyles of every woman, regardless of race, size, or shape," she explained. I'm black. Some people may beg to differ from our point of view, but nothing shows cultural appreciation better than wearing such waist beads and body chains, among other kinds of body jewelry. I have dreads. Get over yourself, you are a tiny speck on the timeline of humanity. Multicultural food and art? Signup for our newsletter to get notified about sales and new products. The ancient Greeks were one of the first peoples to wear hoop earrings around 2000 BC. A wall on the side of a dormitory at Pitzer College devoted to unmoderated free speech through art (colloquially named the free wall), was recently painted by a group of Latino students who wrote the message,White Girl, take off your [hoop earrings]!!!. A wall on [] 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. (2017). The significance of the chains comes from their representation of femininity, fertility, and sexuality. First, apologize. Jacquelyn Aguilera (PZ 19), another student claiming credit for the spray-painted message, responded to the school-wide email thread, If you didnt create the culture as a coping mechanism for marginalization, take off those hoops, if your feminism isnt intersectional take off those hoops, if you try to wear mi cultura when the creators can no longer afford it, take off those hoops, if you are incapable of using a search engine and expect other people to educate you, take off those hoops . But they should also take time to acknowledge its cultural roots. Seriously! You do you. If your use of cultural items or practices exploits that culture in any way, you're appropriating whether you realize it or not. A sort of body jewellery worn around the waist is the belly chain. (Expert Answer in 2023), Are Multiple Ear Piercings Unprofessional in 2023? Essay about Cultural Appropriation. Cultural appropriation is considered taking a cultural element from a certain culture, where the jewelry is considered an important part of that culture. It's pretty hypocritical and not fully thought out. About that winged eyeliner, you better talk to Cleopatra. But this is not always the case, especially with body jewelry traditionally referred to as any kind of adornment that was placed through and was attached to a specific body part. Angelina Hurley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Does my use amplify and support the voices of people of that culture, or does it prevent them from being heard? Waist beads have many uses and meanings. Continued exploitation of people from other cultures. Fashion . Here's the thing about appropriation. Since waist chains have been worn for a long time and are a West African and Indian tradition, this has drawn controversy. It's fun to experiment with your hair, and there's nothing wrong with that. Many successful food bloggers are white. Find gold & silver nose rings made from titanium, surgical steel & sterling silver. Consider these examples: In the movie La La Land, the white male main character, Sebastian, is depicted as a jazz expert. But when you wear henna for nontraditional reasons and fail to acknowledge its actual meaning and importance, youre appropriating, not appreciating. I'll do my best. Even if youre familiar with the term and know its something to avoid, you might have some lingering uncertainties as to where the line between appropriation and appreciation lies. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue. Oh, and that slogan you leftists love to chant at protests? Hoops arent mentioned in the UD definitions, although most of the girls pictured in an image search wear large hoops earrings, along with bandanas, heavy eye makeup, and flannel shirts. What do you think of these Latina students telling white girls to take off their hoop earrings? They also fail to give credit where credit is due. As recently as last year, Victoria's Secret has been called out for cultural appropriation - in this instance, many looks in the "Nomadic Adventures" show were inspired by traditional tribal and Native American garments including feathered headdresses and beaded body jewelry. 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. Recently, especially during the pandemic, the infatuation with body jewellery has returned. I'd still like a waist chain, though. Answer (1 of 7): No, it is not. It is generally believed that the significance of this accessory had, at the time, changed to symbolize male authority and power rather than female sexuality. Wearing the yukata is appreciative, since your friend invited you to participate and youre wearing it in the right context. There has been an upsurge in jewellery worn around the waist, frequently in the shape of hooped chains, threaded strings, or little chains. It may be claimed that the West has now usurped this culture because we have created our own terms for waist chains, such as belly chains or beaded waist chains, and we no longer acknowledge the traditional significance of these waist chains in West Africa and India. sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names. Yes, anyone who wishes to wear beads around their waist can do so even if they are not Africans or Indians. Often that harm can span social institutions and political, economic, social, spiritual, cultural worlds.". The role of appropriation has transgressed centuries amongst underdeveloped countries, but specifically black female bodies. Its commonly known that identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is complex and theres much more involved. Find it here. Disrespect or disregard to the values, practices, social, religious or cultural norms. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. This appropriation shows a serious lack of understanding and respect of protocols. In the end, everything depends on the subjectivity of the individual and their assessment of the pieces historical context. 13 year olds? In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, every newborn receives a waist chain as a cultural pact. Sure, it can be annoying that nobody gets my name right, but its not evidence of the hatred of Greeks or a freaking micro-aggression! Native American war bonnets are among the most instantly recognizable artifacts of Native American culture, and for this reason, often the most appropriated items of Native American culture.. A war bonnet is a piece of headgear made using eagle feathers and beads and worn either during battle or on special ceremonial occasions . Social media users have also pointed out the grammatical error on the bottle, which reads blanco tequila when it should actually read tequila blanco.. While some people feel that gender nonconformity is a part of their identity, for others, its more of a decision and an action than an identity. Alexa is a freelance writer and communications consultant, with experience working on the Hill, at the RNC, and for National Review. Today, waist beads and chains are 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. If you do use any elements from that culture, you ask permission and give credit to the creator or source. Kevin Winter / Getty Images. I noticed your T-shirt had [X] design on it. When Dolce & Gabbana faced backlash after posting . As a white woman, Adele can style her hair in any number of ways without facing judgment or criticism. Cultural appropriation is starting to become more . While the early days of trade opened the door to cultural exchange, it simultaneously made way for cultural appropriation. Adorning a woman's feet symbolizes an act of devotion by her family . Because they are " trendy" yes, that's pretty much the definition of cultural appropriation.. in certain practices and tribe they DO have meaning outside of fertility and looking pretty. They really do seem to hold a lot of significance within the cultures that use them. Is it cultural appropriation to wear waist beads as a non-African woman? (2019). 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