racism by any other name is still… racism.
“The great thing about fashion is that it is fun and not to be taken too seriously. However, I am serious about keeping up with all current trends from the streets to the runways. The current trend that I spoke of in this post is related to a style comprised of pieces that have been influenced and inspired by many different cultures. Being inspired by other cultures, in my mind, is solely complimentary. If one prefers we could call this the “globalization trend”. To those who believe the word “tribal” has been used too loosely, I appologize. It was simply meant to sum up “influenced by other cultures”.”—
Going Tribal: DIY Mix Media Fringe Necklace « M&J Blog
GOD I<M GOING TO RETCH
(via garconniere)
bluggh this is disgusting. Let’s go through this piece by piece. 1: So, fashion (as a personal/political/social negotiation between self/others/etc.) is not to be taken too seriously (let’s have fun & consume & look hip!), but keeping up w/ th fashion forefront is to be taken seriously. Okay. 2: So in their minds, “tribal” (a colonizer’s word applied to Other, ‘savage’/non-white peoples; because of its root, words like ‘tribal’ indelibly retain a condescending manner, no matter what) just means ganking a bit o’ superficial deetz from other cultures (note they do not mention th cultural root of anything, because usually those that delve into this kind of fashion cultural appropriation DO NOT EDUCATE THEMSELVES on the meaning behind things they think are so cute/stylish. 3: So, this act of appropriation is meant to be taken as a compliment, eh? Hey, indigenous persons, us hip young white chicks want to borrow a few feather headdresses for a Lookbook fashion shoot, is that alright? We think yr garb looks hella cute & want to possess it too, because uh, GLOBALIZATION means everything’s up for grabs, & we’re not being appropriative or racist, & anyway, it’s okay cause we’re 1/16th Iroquois! <end scene> 4: On a final note, I know people get fashion inspiration from a myriad complex sources, it’s simple to point th finger at online fashion culture, but I really want people to educate themselves on these issues; the key is to create a dialogue about what one wears & look honestly at oneself.
i think the aspect of this comment that truly outrages me (i can understand certain dismissive perspectives if they simply come from a place of complete and oblivious ignorance, which seems to be the case, as opposed to high and mighty condescending “i know what you are, but what am i!” racist attitudes) is the following:
the fact that she tried to divert attention from the issue at hand (me asking her frankly and clearly why she chose to use the word “tribal” in describing the jewelry she created) by talking about renaming it something else instead, really troubles me. it calls attention to why i think we can’t turn a blind eye to this shit anymore. she states,
If one prefers we could call this the “globalization trend”.
really? because based on the comments and the original thing posted, i think this is supposed to be in specific reference to native american people, and i am assuming that you live in north america. so those native american people who you are referring to as “tribal” are those whose land you happen to live on. stolen land, most likely. who your government performed cultural and literal genocide on for hundreds of years. who are still resisting, fighting, existing. yet, you in your “fashion trend loving” and “cultural appreciating” wisdom, can’t even take enough time to come up with a name of a native american tribe your art might be “borrowing” from, yet you claim this is simply an homage? an appreciation? an act of respect? how much do you respect a culture if you can’t even tell me anything about them other than your assumptions of what they wear? a constant rotation of headdresses, mocassins, dreamcatchers, feather and leather?
suggesting we call it the “globalization trend” instead is even worse, if that is at all possible. it is not global. this trend is in your own fucking backyard. the term “globalization trend” actively works to deny that native people existed, and exist, in our very own communities everywhere today, in spite of the many attempts to ensure their erasure. i’m not supposed to be here. i’m not supposed to know what village my great grandmother grew up in, what language my relatives spoke. i’m not supposed to know my native roots because they aren’t supposed to exist. french and english colonization in my neck of the woods attempted to ensure that. but instead, their efforts created people like me, who dig and find out, who read and learn, who talk to their elders and ask questions. people who are mixed up, confused, awesome, and angry fucking people who won’t stand for bullshit like this any longer.
this is NOT a “globalization trend.” it’s not tribal either. it’s not respectful, it’s not an hommage. don’t kid yourself. it’s you trying to sell something that caters to the bottom line, something you hope to sell and profit from. don’t tell yourself you want to make it to let the world appreciate a culture you have no connection to or understanding of.
words have power, and you offering to change the term you use to sell your necklace is acknowledging that. words have meaning, and you should think about them a bit before you employ them.
racism by any other name is STILL racism.
