It doesnt sound cool, it sounds ridiculous. While the term "cultural appropriation" is shrouded in uncertainty, there is undoubtedly a role for intellectual property (IP) in curbing this harmful practice. 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. But to me, wearing of body chain is not cultural appropriation but rather appreciation. The race wars have come down to a battle over jewelry. ear to nose chains cultural appropriation. 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. Is Wearing A Body Chain Cultural Appropriation? This practice appears to be rooted in Hinduism and may go back to the Pre-Vedic religions (prior to 1750 BCE). Cultural appropriation is starting to become more . However, it pays to be conscious about what kind of styles you . It's fun to experiment with your hair, and there's nothing wrong with that. So, with waist beads and body chains worn increasingly in the waist, whether made of threaded strings, hooped chains, or small beads, the popularity of body chains can be regarded as the best form of cultural appreciation. Yes, anyone who wishes to wear beads around their waist can do so even if they are not Africans or Indians. Payals, or anklets, are meant to symbolize the arrival of a wife into her husband's house. This wasn't a one-off; in previous years, the brand has come under fire for pieces that were insensitive . In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, every newborn receives a waist chain as a cultural pact. Oh, and that slogan you leftists love to chant at protests? NOTICE: While your contribution is vital and directly supports The Political Insider, it is NOT tax deductible. Youre not my bro. For example: I know a First Nations person, I have an Aboriginal friend, my niece/nephew is married to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, my neighbours were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, or I dreamt my identity and I feel an affiliation/spirituality with First Nations culture Big deal! TikTok influencers eventually began to share videos of themselves performing the dance, without crediting Harmon. Wondering exactly what counts as cultural appropriation? Essay about Cultural Appropriation. What is cultural appropriation? 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 a result, we will earn some coffee money from your click. 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]!!!. 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. Alexa is a freelance writer and communications consultant, with experience working on the Hill, at the RNC, and for National Review. To help is understand if you should see wearing a body chain or bead is a cultural appropriation or not, let us try to understand the term from their individual meanings. The foot is regarded in Hinduism as the humblest and most impure part of the body since it touches the ground first. 1. 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. Seems like if you wanna wear something for style you can just wear a belly chain. 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 . Waist chains have been used for at least 4,000 years, and they first appeared on the Indian Subcontinent. Many successful food bloggers are white. Wearing body chains, especially the waist beads, isn't a form of cultural appropriation but rather cultural appreciation. This can be also seen in the wearing of beads. Heres What To Wear in Toronto in January! About that winged eyeliner, you better talk to Cleopatra. Disrespect or disregard to the values, practices, social, religious or cultural norms. Social media users have also pointed out the grammatical error on the bottle, which reads blanco tequila when it should actually read tequila blanco.. The chain could be heavy and thick or delicate and tiny. 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. I'll do my best. And make no mistake, hoops are the main focus here and the most bizarre because theyve been worn across continents across history. Words: 2401 Pages: 8 5490. 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. All cultures have complexities and nuances that contribute to, but go far beyond, their art, clothing, and jewelry. 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! The end result? Take henna art, or Mehndi, for example. There have been some sort of misconception when it comes to the wearing of body chains by different . While the beads don't seem to hold any religious meaning, they do still seem to have a feeling of specialness and tradition to them. COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Some members of the West African community view wearing waist chains for decorative purpose as rude and inappropriate, while others think it is unnecessary even if you are not of African descent. Also, the more I read about waist beads, the less I want them. Consider these examples: In the movie La La Land, the white male main character, Sebastian, is depicted as a jazz expert. (2016). This misrepresentation leaves people of color in a marginalized position where they lack the same opportunities for recognition, success, and profit. Still, there was serious intent behind Katters submission on the production of fake Australian First Nations art. Well find out about that and more in this article. In recent days, especially with the obsession over body jewelry increasing or re-emerging, different groups or cultures embracing different kinds of body jewelry that represented a certain community or culture in the past is now considered a form of cultural appropriation by some people. 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. Multicultural food and art? 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 Why? 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. The common English name for the Indian jewellery known as kamarband is a belly chain or waist chain.. Waist chains appear to have been a very fashionable piece of jewellery based on the abundance of historical works of art from India that date to the Indus Valley culture. 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. Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes, and races. While wearing jewellery is ultimately a matter of personal preference, knowing the background of the pieces origins might give us a better perspective of whether we should or shouldnt do so. The chain could be heavy and thick or delicate and tiny. An imbalance of power between the appropriator and the appropriated is a critical condition of the concept. Examples of Cultural Appropriation 1. 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. Cultural appropriation can be a little tricky to understand. Beads worn around the waist has appeared in several aspects ofAfrican culturesuch as dress, childcare, and relationships. Cultural appropriation causes harm because it contributes to ongoing oppression and exploitation of other cultures. In introducing a bill making it illegal to sell fake Indigenous art, Katter has re-ignited attention to artistic appropriation and rip-offs. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"CCkMe26MAqhaK5osLPUa94zSF3ec_FUs4n49L.Xf8b4-1800-0"}; Ask different people, and youll most likely get a range of answers. 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?!) Body chains are just that - an accessory made of metal worn on your body. I dont even know if boomerangs were ever meant to come back. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. It is believed that the body chains were worn as accessories draped over ones shoulders and also around the hips. Plenty of people have been guilty of cultural appropriation without realizing it. It also includes the unauthorized use of parts of their culture (their dress, dance, etc.) Many trends stem from elements appropriated from other cultures, so you might not realize your actions have passed the point of appreciation. Unlike a necklace or a bracelet that has a defined space, body chains can . The issue of cultural appropriation in the classroom is definitely one which educators should reflect on. Just three examples of insensitivity and perceived cultural appropriation that have been criticised in high fashion over the last few years. While the title of the recipe has since been changed, many blog commenters feel retitling the dish falls short of an adequate response. By not everyone, we mean white people.. I do feel less guilty/concerned about wearing a chain, though. Providing new insights to communal authorship, cultural appropriation, intellectual property law, and the formation of American culture, this innovative and accessible guide greatly enriches future legal understanding of cultural production. He complimented the photo and asked Adele to call him while speaking in Jamaican Patois. They are chains worn around the waist and abdomen that can have one or more strands and are composed of different types of glass, metal, crystal, bone, and wooden beads. First of all, what is the culture, that you speak of? What we want to achieve in our classroom is the promotion of cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. The short answer is no. There is absolutely no additional cost to you if you take action (click, purchase, subscribe) with one of these links. 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. Im not your cuz. 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. Theres nothing at all wrong with wanting to prepare or enjoy food from another culture. In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. New research highlights the important role parents play in the mental well-being of LGBTQ young people. Am I using this item (or clothing, word, practice, and so on) to learn more about the culture? By contributing to misleading and harmful stereotypes, it prevents opportunities for true understanding and cultural exchange. copying another nations visual arts style and design and producing artefacts and materials that originate from that nation. Healthline spoke with singer-songwriter Jewel about co-founding Innerverse, a new virtual reality platform in the Metaverse that provides services to, If youre considering meeting with a psychiatrist but prefer remote visits, online psychiatry may be right for you. I know quite a few African women that it irritates to see people that have no history or cultural connection to waistbeads. this includes other Blk women, as they have been making them since they were children. Yeah it sucks even people with sacred dreads(religious reasons) are constantly being "called out" or accused after explaining over and over. So, if you like waist beads or body chains, you should wear them, and have fun with them. Have I given credit to the creator and the culture it came from? 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? It is noted that by 500CE, the statues from the Persian Empire that neighbored the Byzantine Empire didnt show Venus statues wearing the body chains, but it showed kings wearing the body jewelry. Mehndi ceremonies also make up an important part of wedding traditions in the Middle East and South Asia. Meanwhile we wonder, why should white girls be able to take part in this culture (wearing hoop earrings just being one case of it) and be seen as cute/aesthetic/ethnic. It does appear that way. I know this is a very sensitive area of discussion because of the stolen generations, but dont try to relate to me by announcing some new-found distant Ancestry.com connection or relation to a First Nations person. 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. Other white characters (not Native American characters) help her establish the school. Does cultural appropriation cause harm? Answer (1 of 7): No, it is not. 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. Can I wear waist beads if I am not African? The one that especially gets to me is hippy, New Age, non-Indigenous spiritualisation of our heritage. For white people, this involves doing some potentially uncomfortable work. Yes, you could wear the waist beads even if you are not African or Indian. Recently, especially during the pandemic, the infatuation with body jewellery has returned. Getting henna body art might seem like a harmless way to appreciate something beautiful. Cultural Appropriation, by some it's seen as an adoption culture being stolen away from a dominant group. It doesnt take much effort to find cultural appropriation in popular culture and on social media. Rajasthanis of the higher class wore waistbands known as cummerbunds or patkas in mediaeval times. Find gold & silver nose rings made from titanium, surgical steel & sterling silver. wearing of body chains by different people. By. As we have seen above what cultural appropriation is all about, let us now see if there is some sort of appropriation by any culture or people. 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. Just know that true sharing requires permission, acknowledgment, and respect. Because of this, I see our winged eyeliner, lined lips, and big hoop earrings serving as symbols [and] as an everyday act of resistance, especially here at the Claremont Colleges. Wearing Miss EmpowHer waist beads is a form of cultural appreciation, not appropriation. Then immediately stop what youre doing. Now she is also a writer for our website. What Does It Mean to Be Gender Nonconforming? Appreciation, on the other hand, means you have an interest in all elements of the culture, not just specific aspects that look pretty, prove financially lucrative, or offer other benefits. Are body beads cultural appropriation? This year's Met Gala theme China: Through the Looking Glass was just begging for cultural appropriation, which led many starlets to play it safe with minimal references to China.Emma Roberts, however, earned herself Twitter backlash for wearing chopsticks in her hair.. Chopsticks in the hair is one of many broadly "Asian" styles tried on by Western dressers (for what it's worth . Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. Cultural appropriation can happen in different areas in society, including the way people view . We want to let you know that this website contain affiliate links for products. Cultural appropriation is considered taking a cultural element from a certain culture, where the jewelry is considered an important part of that culture. 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 . Adele wore this hairstyle, along with a Jamaican flag bikini, to celebrate the canceled 2020 Notting Hill Carnival, an annual event originally created to share Caribbean culture and promote multiculturalism. In short, appreciation involves learning and sharing with permission. If your use of cultural items or practices exploits that culture in any way, you're appropriating whether you realize it or not. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve . Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. For example, you might recognize that cultural Halloween costumes and blackface are racist and never acceptable, but what about fashion influences? List Of Clothing Brands With A Hummingbird Logo. They really do seem to hold a lot of significance within the cultures that use them. Rowlings History of Magic in North America stories have earned plenty of criticism for the way they present Native American culture. Is it okay for a white person to celebrate the culture of a nonwhite country? In the past, both men and women in India wore waist chains as ornaments, as a part of religious rituals, as accessories, and to display wealth. Recently, especially during the pandemic, the infatuation with body jewellery has returned. Most people mistake waist beads for being worn by black women and believe that non-African women commit cultural appropriation by wearing them. Having children learn about elements of Indigenous culture and . 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. 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. If its not your culture being appropriated, is it really your place to say anything? Henna: Its history and cultural significance. Although waist beads are largely associated with West Africa, they are also seen and present in Latin and Hispanic cultures. Failing to assimilate can carry heavy consequences, including fewer opportunities for work or career advancement and racist violence or threats. Youre welcome. 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! The beautiful maang tikka, or hair accessory falling down the part in the middle of the hair, marks a . Still, shaming someone or criticizing them publicly usually doesnt have the best impact, so try calling them in instead of calling them out. Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. What I hear when you say: Cultural appropriation. choosing body art . But since Im not a vindictive, self-absorbed, small-minded person who thinks the world began the minute I was born and my people are the only ones who have ever been victims of mans inhumanity to man, I will share them with you and anyone else to enjoy. Notably in Ghanaian and Nigerian culture, thesewaist beadshave functioned as slings forloincloths, and as support when a child is carried on ones back. 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. 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. Many schools and workplaces even ban or limit natural hairstyles. Being white and wearing a dashiki might be interpreted as problematic; wearing one with cornrows or dreadlocks in your hair almost certainly would be. According to Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.: "Smudging is traditionally a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place.". (Why are the students at this school even paying the $66,192 yearly tuition when they could be learning from Professor Google for free?) But what about wearing the yukata around your house back home, saying, Japanese people dress like this every day? if you cant pronounce my name or spell it take off those hoops / I use those instead of your because hoops were never yours to begin with. Aguilera attached an image of herself and the others who spray-painted the wall exposing their own hoop earrings. A turban (also known as a dastaar) is a religious item worn by people who practise Sikhism. Among their recipes, youll often find lighter or easier versions of traditional dishes from other cultures. naming teams after animals, Many Hindu gods, including Lord Krishna, wore waist chains. First, apologize. I'll explain how I see it: When you walk into someone's house and see something you like, you can certainly take it without permission, if you want. In short, authentic pho isnt an easy dish that travels from pot to bowl in an hour. Cultural appreciation and appropriation both exist. 1Using black hairstyles, like braids or cornrows. A young woman in Utah bought a Chinese-style dress to wear to her high school formal. If so, does this also apply to waist chains? Is wearing Miss EmpowHer waist beads cultural appropriation? Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. naming teams after animals, plants, or noncultural concepts. A didge player at Portobello Market in London. There have been some sort of misconception when it comes to the wearing of body chains by different people through out the world and from many cultures where the wearing of body chains are not their thing. You're right; I can wear what I wantbut that doesn't always mean it's the best thing to do. I'm black. And this is the sticky point. Razor blades? Sure, white people can appreciate, love, and create jazz music. The significance of the chains comes from their representation of femininity, fertility, and sexuality. . Despite the brand or class and status of the designer - celebrities, influencers and general social media users take no prisoners when it comes to confrontation. She wore Bantu knots as part of a costume, not as a daily look. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue. Brides wear a nose ring that extend with a chain, and some rural parts of India wear larger nose rings as a sign of marital status or affluence. The well-renowned international shoe designer collaborated with Noongar artist Peter Farmer in 2017 to make two pairs of high . The most notable criticism was levelled at her 2013 AMAs performance in which . Chef Jenny Dorsey examines why fast-casual chains get a pass on culturally appropriating dishes in an essay for Eater. Cultural appropriation, then, happens when another culture borrows any of these cultural elements, typically without asking permission or crediting the source culture. Instead of a chain, a thread may occasionally be worn around the waist. but dont take my words entirely. So, yes, you can wear the white waist beads if its a jewelry style that you like. Do you really know when to use deadly and gammon/gammin? The chart below offers some examples to help illustrate the difference. If you're using a string, mark on the string where the two ends meet, then measure that . 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. When Japanese Americans are interned, the act is justified by . You can wear what you want. In some regions waist chains are common among men as well. But when you wear another group's cultural signifiers head to toe, it can create the impression that you see them as a costume. Her portrayal clumps together Native American beliefs and traditions from several different Indigenous groups, reducing these cultural traditions to stereotypes and fantasy instead of acknowledging them as actual cultural practices that are still part of Native American culture today. We must all ask ourselves whether wearing these many types of body jewellery is cultural appropriation or an appreciation of different cultures. In her stories, the founder of the American wizardry school is a white woman. Culturerefers to anything associated with a group of people based on their ethnicity, religion, geography, or social environment. They help protect natural hair, but they also represent identity and culture. While the early days of trade opened the door to cultural exchange, it simultaneously made way for cultural appropriation. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The cultural practice was culturally diffused a long, long time ago. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about sales and new products. Traditional designs are used to symbolize prosperity, love, and health in Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim wedding ceremonies. without permission. Do those count as appropriation? 6 Quick Tips For Wearing Cartier Love Bracelet All The Time, Why Is Italian Gold (Jewelry) More Expensive? 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!). We have a term within the Black community . When something is special to to a group of people, it's disrespectful to take that thing and use it without their permission - especially if they've already said, "Please don't take our thing, it's very special to us". Originating from Arnhem Land, its use is widespread and, apart from busking white women and men commercialising and making careers out of playing this instrument, a more recent offensive practice is its inclusion in the New Age healing and health industry.