Cultural Appropriation

Accusations of ‘Cultural Appropriation’ Reinforce the 1%

August 16, 2016

Let’s continue to get angry at people profiting from the cultures they dismiss, but let’s articulate this problem without reinforcing exploitative economies. Accusing people of cultural appropriation might seem critical, but it upholds the values of the 1%. Those values are ownership, capital, and private property. Appropriation — of culture, land, or water — is the act of dispossessing … Read More

On Reclaiming the Bindi

April 17, 2015

Last week, a wave of brown girls graced most social media platforms with their faces, posting selfies with bindis to counter the diminishment of importance from the symbolism behind the bindi. Bindis are sported as accessories in festivals such as Coachella by individuals who disregard its cultural usage and significance. Because of this, the hashtag … Read More