cultural appropriation Archives - The Race Card Project

I want to understand Cultural Appropriation.

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Canada, costume, cultural, cultural appropriation, culture, dress up, Facebook, Halloween, inappropriate, Native, Native American, Rae

Rae,
Canada.

An issue came up on Facebook, about Halloween costumes. People were talking about it being inappropriate for kids to dress as native people. I didn’t feel that it was so bad, that it was a way for kids to explore culture. I remember how often I used to pretend I was a native person, making forts out in the bush. If I had dressed that way for Halloween, it would have been out of interest, not out of any bad feelings towards the native people. I was naturally told how hurtful this attitude is, and that it is just WRONG, but I feel like it’s natural for cultures to blend and borrow from one another, and that’s how we become a new culture. Thoughts?

You look less…exotic…than expected.

November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 Celtic, cultural appropriation, exotic, first experience, Great Britain, Hare Krishnas, Indian, pale skin, question, Sanskrit, skin, typical, Varshana Trudgian, white, you look

Varshana Trudgian,
Great Britain

I’m white and have typical Celtic colouring of pale skin, dark hair and blue eyes. But, my parents were Hare Krishnas and I have a Sanskrit Indian name. I am never sure whether getting in touch with certain elements of my childhood are seen as cultural appropriation or not.