Since I’ve already written on Writing the Other (which, if there’s been any evolution in my thoughts it’s been the realization that everyone is other to me, including other People of Color)–and for that matter, my thoughts haven’t changed much since I wrote on Sexism in the Genre–I’ve decided to forego this latest round of hand-wringing over cultural appropriation.* Two years from now during the next go around, I’ll try to add something new to the discussion.
Instead, I’ll leave you with today Bingo (joining the “Fantasy and Science Fiction Bingo” and “Stupid White Folks Bingo”): Cultural Appropriation Bingo!
(thanks elusis!)
*To get caught up on this round of the debate, see the redux and the redux continued.
***
If you want to make sure that I see your comment or just want to stop by and say “hi”, feel free to stop by my message board. We always welcome new voices to the conversation.
Hello, Mr. Broaddus,
I have been keeping a somewhat distant eye on Racefail ’09 and found your blog and the relevant bingo cards via a simple google search. I am not a writer of any professional leaning, nor am I immediately aiming to be.
What I am is a woman of the Indian/Caribbean diaspora who spent some time teaching in Japan. While I was there I was immediately adopted into a tea ceremony club when the teacher decided I was just the right size for her to practice tying kimono with. She gave me lessons and my first yukata and I gave her saris in return. I wear my yukata on occasion and my teacher wept tears of joy when I gave her the first sari, so there’s no doubt about appreciation on her part. I can eat with chopsticks, knife and fork or just my fingers and view the respective table manners as useful skills under my belt.
There are things on that Bingo card that I might say myself and racefail has raised uncomfortable issues for me. Is it only cultural appropriation if it involves caucasians? If there’s a history of exploitation between groups? How much effort must go into understanding another group before people can agree it is actual cultural exchange and understanding rather than appropriation? Where is the line drawn, who draws it and why? Should I have said something to that African American girl I saw on the bus during college, wearing a bindi upside down?
My own heritage is a mishmash and a jumble, thrown together on an island and forced through a sieve of colonialism. For better or worse, borrowing and lending, adopting and sharing, adapting and evolving has been my cultural experience. Everything I am says there must be some avenue to explore this varied earth, that an upside-down bindi is a chance to educate rather than rail, but the sentiments arising from Racefail seem to acknowledge no possibility at all. Along with that is the sneaking suspicion that my post-colonial education brainwashed me better than I thought.
I hardly expect that you’d have all the answers but I am interested in any thoughts you might have on the matter. Thank you for your time.