Here via metafandom. I saw Jenn's post a while ago (actually I ended up linking it in my own LJ too the other day) & am glad it's making so many people think. Thanks for this post. I know from sad experience that more people will take what you say on this subject seriously, as a white person, than will take what a POC says on this seriously, so thanks for making it so thoughtful.
Just a couple thoughts before I dash off to work: Part of what drives me insane about anime/manga fans (& why I no longer really participate in the fandom) is all the thoughtless cultural appropriation--I can't even count the number of times people have said to me (in person or online) things like, "There's just something SPECIAL about Asian women. I don't know what it is, but I'm so glad I have a Chinese girlfriend!" Yaaaaaay for racism & sexism combined!!
Another thing that irks POCs about cultural appropriation: what white folks appropriate as "cool" often is seen as wrong or repulsive or whatever when POCs do it w/in their own culture. For example: why are bindis cool when Gwen Stefani decides to pop one on her forehead, but when actual South Asians wear them, they are often harassed or worse? (ie. the Dotbusters gang in NJ some years ago)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2006-05-09 12:27 pm (UTC)Just a couple thoughts before I dash off to work: Part of what drives me insane about anime/manga fans (& why I no longer really participate in the fandom) is all the thoughtless cultural appropriation--I can't even count the number of times people have said to me (in person or online) things like, "There's just something SPECIAL about Asian women. I don't know what it is, but I'm so glad I have a Chinese girlfriend!" Yaaaaaay for racism & sexism combined!!
Another thing that irks POCs about cultural appropriation: what white folks appropriate as "cool" often is seen as wrong or repulsive or whatever when POCs do it w/in their own culture. For example: why are bindis cool when Gwen Stefani decides to pop one on her forehead, but when actual South Asians wear them, they are often harassed or worse? (ie. the Dotbusters gang in NJ some years ago)