Hipster Appropriations

Lots of changes....

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:49:48 -0400

Greetings readers,

It’s been some time since we last posted - two months exactly, actually. For that, we are very sorry. But we have our reasons.

For starters, Marquita lost a dear family member not long after the last post, and spent the last month and a half at home. I’ve (Bree) been in the thick of thesis crunch mode and navigating the problem of what-the-fuck-am-I-doing-post-college (union organizing seems to be my first choice right now).

We went out for drinks last night and discussed what we want the future of this blog to be. A change to the title - and less frequent, but more quality content. Still, there’s a bit of frustration between us over all of the “Navajo” and “Native” trends we still see in fall fashion spreads, which I’m sure you all share. We’ve got thick skin, but it’s hard not to feel like the work you are doing is futile sometimes.

So be patient with us as we explore a “rebranding” of sorts, and get back into the groove of blogging and Tumblr. What have we missed?!

Love,

Bree & Marquita

Ramblings on criticism, context, and naïvete

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:22:24 -0400

Something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is the reaction of individuals when confronted, be it over a garment that is culturally appropriative or using sexist/ableist/racist language, etc.

Sometimes, from the bottom of my heart, I want to truly believe, “Well, these people just don’t KNOW any better! They don’t have the kind of understanding of my culture they should have thanks to American history lessons that pick and choose at the least offensive and mostly white events.” I mean…right?

But then I get frustrated when simple logic can’t be applied to our understanding of history. That Native tribes, spread across all of North America, must have different cultural traditions due very simply to their geographic diversity.

The headdress is not unlike garments that are worn in observance of other religious traditions. I guess this is just something that people can’t grasp. Possibly because the spiritual traditions of Native tribes don’t look and feel like organized religion. Are we really that naïve to think otherwise?

I don’t even know where I’m going with this, really. It’s been a long couple weeks.

seungalong: hipsterappropriations: Seriously, where the fuck...

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:36:00 -0400

seungalong:

hipsterappropriations:

Seriously, where the fuck do these people get off?

I already said this on that blogspot post, but then I came over here and got annoyed all over again. I never engage in semi-political discussions, that’s how annoyed I am. But really, this is about a fashion trend, guys. People were just massacred in Norway, and you want to complain about a photo shoot in a small, alternative magazine. How about focusing some of that self-righteous anger towards the world today instead of the world 300 years ago.

I’m an adopted Korean living in Alabama. If you don’t understand how confusing that is culturally, just think about it for a second. As a minority, I do understand that American culture can be insensitive about heritage. I’ve lived in an incredibly racist community (i.e., all of the South) and in an incredibly PC community (i.e., the Northwest). You know what I found? Living in Seattle was the first time I had hate directed towards me personally for my race. Never in my 20 some years of living in the Bible belt did I ever feel that way. It was bizarre. I’ve experienced ignorance. Hell, I’ve dated 2 guys who were only interested in me because of their obsession with Japan. And note: I’m KOREAN. So yeah, I know how it feels. But the point I’m getting to is that tip-toeing around, too scared to offend some sort of subsection, whether based on ethnicity, religion, politics, sexual orientation, etc., is kind of like abstinence. To tell anyone they simply CAN’T do something is an ineffective means of dealing with the issue. You know the governor of TN made it illegal to say “gay”? Who does that serve? It’s just sweeping the issue under the rug. I mean, at the end of the day, we ALL get shit on for one reason or another. Rich, poor, white, black, we’re all humans. So all I’m saying is, educating is one thing. But the “just say no” mentality is simply naive.

Because we are a nation based on individuality. On being who you want, believing what you want, and part of that is being able to say what you want, even if it offends someone else. Yes, people shouldn’t be prejudiced. But, well, whatcha gonna do? Protect everyone from anything? Hey distopian future, I’ll be seein ya soon. Cause I find sermons to be pretty offensive, as an atheist. Doesn’t stop the Jehovah’s Witnesses from knocking on my door. Nor should it. Ultimately, the only thing you can do is shut the door, not wear a headdress, live in whatever fashion fits your philosophical perspective.

But seriously, this whole blog is a little bit offensive to me, but it is your right to have it, and it is my right to avoid it as much as possible. One could argue that you are stereotyping and belittling the “hipster” culture, which like it or not, is a significant cultural movement. No, hipsterism doesn’t have as much history, as much oppression, or anything that can be considered sacred in the religious sense. (Hey, if I take peyote, will you blog about me, too?) But if you are respecting their religious beliefs in the headdress, can’t I have something as important to me? Maybe you don’t understand why it’s important, much like I don’t understand why I’ve been stewing over this blog for the past couple hours, but it doesn’t matter either way. Because it’s not the hipster comments that offend me; it’s that you seem either unwilling or incapable of accepting that there are other perspectives on this issue besides your own. Now how fucking closeminded is that?

Also, in regards to that food post, about Chinese food being Americanized. Sure, it homogenizes Asian cuisine, to an extent. BUT, go over to Japan and order a hamburger or chicken nuggets. Buy a bag of chips at the store. They are going to taste different because the companies behind them are trying to appeal to a specific market. In some ways, you could even say that they are trying to be sensitive to the tastes of a particular region. But to me, again as a Korean woman who grew up in the South, I find food fusion representative of everything that I love about America. It’s the bringing together of different flavors and different cultures, cultures that wouldn’t have been able to influence each other until recently, but they can teach each other about ingredients and techniques that haven’t been explored in traditional American food. How is this a bad thing? Our ability to come together as a community and work towards a common goal, now those are reasons to be happy about the world, about the progression of our society, not angry.

And lastly, for anyone who wants to say that I am self-loathing of my race. Don’t presume to know who I am or where I come from based on 5 paragraphs on a blog. And don’t try and say that it is my “responsibility” to “get in touch” with my heritage. That’s an extremely personal choice. And believing that your way is the only way, well isn’t that how we got in this mess in the first place?

Bolded the first part for emphasis. Honestly, I’ve thought a lot about your post, and I’m actually open to listening….but why did you have to go ahead and throw the “more important shit happening in Norway!” argument my way? that kind of soured it right off the bat.

While I don’t agree with everything, I could at least say I’ve finally received a coherent counterpoint, instead of the cool-kids-in-the-schoolyard trash talk over at Pork. So let’s just leave it at that, and I appreciate it.

I’ve never said you can’t wear a headdress. But I’m free to tell you why it’s fucked up. That’s the bottom line.

As for the hipster thing…well, we’re actually in the midst of finding a better name for this blog.

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:20:01 -0400

This usually happens out of general frustration, workload, and inability to express ourselves coherently. We’re just catching up on the Yay Life Tribe over at Native Appropriations, and gee……oh how so much changes in a week.

Thanks to all the new followers who discovered us by way of last week’s Pork Magazine bullshit.

Hey! Where did the charming "STFUradicals" go?

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:01:05 -0400

Hmm?

Seems like Pork Magazine can’t understand words. I have...

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:36:00 -0400

Seems like Pork Magazine can’t understand words. I have provided a basic pictorial aide for them.

submitted by naawkwe

stfuradicals: You’re too dumb if you can’t get more than 16...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:10:04 -0400

stfuradicals:

You’re too dumb if you can’t get more than 16 followers on Twitter even though you’ve been there almost a year.

You’re too dumb if you see something with a swastika or Nazis and are instantly offended.

You’re too dumb if you think that wearing a chicken feather headdress to the bar is anything more than a bad fashion choice.

You’re too dumb if you don’t realize that blackface performances are a culturally significant piece of popular history, enjoyed and performed by people of all races.

You’re too dumb if you think that standing in front of an abandoned warehouse in Eugene wearing outfits than took, perhaps at most, an hour to put on is “elaborate.”

I really hope that when I’m in my mid-30s I’m still being a jackass on the Internet. Cuz it’s fun, yo.

LOL TRYING TOO HARD IS HARD. WHY DON’T YOU GET A LIFE?

We fired up the ol' Twitter again

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:10:33 -0400

We fired up the ol' Twitter again

stfuradicals: Not Sean Aaberg, but I know y’all are REAL SMART...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:10:12 -0400

stfuradicals:

Not Sean Aaberg, but I know y’all are REAL SMART so I’ve been waiting for someone to accuse me of being him…

Try again.

hipsterappropriations:

stfuradicals:

Congratulations. You win a prize for “Dumbest Contribution to the Great PORK Nontroversy of 2011”

kawonu-anidv:

hipsterappropriations:

Seriously, where the fuck do these people get off?

I’ve often said that art is meant to offend and be subversive. But fashion isn’t art and there’s a point where things stop being subversive and start being abusive and a real artist knows where that line is. These are pitiful, unabashedly racist human beings hiding behind the “style and attitude” of Camp (which is, in itself, offensive - John Waters would kick your pathetic hipster asses) to get away with their racism.

Does anyone find it interesting that the “STFURadicals” Tumblr popped up in the wake of PORK Controversy 2K11? And is reblogging every criticism of this shitty photo shoot with pathetic rebuttals?

Sean Äaberg: U MAD?

AWWW shucks. I’m gonna go drink a bunch of whiskey like a Good Indian Girl. SEE YA!

stfuradicals: Congratulations. You win a prize for “Dumbest...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:51:00 -0400

stfuradicals:

Congratulations. You win a prize for “Dumbest Contribution to the Great PORK Nontroversy of 2011”

kawonu-anidv:

hipsterappropriations:

Seriously, where the fuck do these people get off?

I’ve often said that art is meant to offend and be subversive. But fashion isn’t art and there’s a point where things stop being subversive and start being abusive and a real artist knows where that line is. These are pitiful, unabashedly racist human beings hiding behind the “style and attitude” of Camp (which is, in itself, offensive - John Waters would kick your pathetic hipster asses) to get away with their racism.

Does anyone find it interesting that the “STFURadicals” Tumblr popped up in the wake of PORK Controversy 2K11? And is reblogging every criticism of this shitty photo shoot with pathetic rebuttals?

Sean Äaberg: U MAD?

IF PORK'S COWBOYS AND INDIANS PHOTOSHOOT PISSED YOU OFF

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:34:31 -0400

garconniere:

reblogs, tumblr posts, catty twitter insults only do so much. let PORK magazine know what you think:

EMAIL: gogoblinko@gmail.com

Sean Äaberg

GOBLINKO
http://www.goblinko.com

PORK MAGAZINE
http://internetpork.com

541-556-5778
pobox 12044
Eugene OR
97440 U$A

a colossal case of Not Getting It: the PORK edition.

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:25:54 -0400

alithea:

some things that have been milling around in my head the last two days:

if you profit from a community of radicals (radical queers, radical feminists, radical fat activists, whatever), do not be purposefully obtuse and ignorant, then act as if you owe nothing to them, like somehow you had no clue this would be shitty. aside from being totally socially irresponsible, it is just bad business.

if you receive positive recognition from an activist community, you are apart of that community. act appropriately or let your true colors shine from the beginning.

if you respect and admire someone, and they disappoint you (through their own bad decisions or their association with other people’s bad decisions), and then are totally and completely aversive to owning up to it, how much are they really deserving of your respect and admiration? we have an absolute duty to hold each other accountable, and if you don’t want to be held accountable, get lost. that is rule #1 for being my friend.

we, as outspoken feminists, liberals, fat activists, queers, people of color, etc., live in a world that constantly shits on us. we fight against that every single day, and we are bound to fuck up every once in a while, because duh, we are human. but the only way anything gets better, the only way i get better and the only way the world gets better, is if we own up to it humbly and sincerely. it does’t make you ignorant to have faults, it makes you ignorant to pretend they don’t exist.

aaaand more great commentary.

Honestly, I was never quite aware of the rich fat activism/body positive community on Tumblr before this - and I’m glad I’ve stumbled into it, being a fat woman of color. Not to mention some of the richest conversation around cultural appropriation I’ve seen since joining Tumblr last fall.

it does’t make you ignorant to have faults, it makes you ignorant to pretend they don’t exist. BAM!

-Marquita

From the comments: “guessing the people who publish both...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:54:59 -0400

From the comments:

“guessing the people who publish both PORK and http://dailyhitler.blogspot.com probably don’t much care about cultural appropriation?”

Enter “The Daily Hitler.”

Hitler & the Nazis in Pop Culture… Every Day!
This blog is not pro or anti NAZI. It is matter of fact, with the intention of exploring Hitler & the NAZIS as pop culture themes. The authors of the blog are not NAZIS or neo-NAZIS, they are Americans with no political affiliations. Philosophically, the blog falls under the GOBLINKO concept of “Die Liebe Unangenehme Dinge”, or, “the Love of Offensive Things.”
Yo, your “love of offensive things” schtick is REALLY PLAYED OUT.

Seriously, where the fuck do these people get off?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:42:38 -0400

Seriously, where the fuck do these people get off?

I have nothing but confusion, rage and sadness. It’s so...

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:38:53 -0400

I have nothing but confusion, rage and sadness. It’s so hard for all of this bullshit to NOT get under my skin.

Pork Magazine PR strategy? Fuck you, we don’t care how you feel, get a life, we’re better than you.

For a long LONG time I didn't get. I always thought 'hey it's just fashion and CLEARLY they're showing an appreciation for the culture, you nerds!' I didn't understand what people were getting upset over because it just seemed so trivial and honestly, I was trying to get away with wearing Navajo printed everything and feather related whatever. But then I thought about how angry I got when people automatically thought I was a math genius because I'm Asian or would tell me that they thought my friends and I were all sisters because we all looked a like (we don't. I'm 5" taller and about 3 shades lighter than my friend). It fucked sucked then and it fucking sucks 'til this day.

THANK YOU. I appreciate learning new things.

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:22:36 -0400

This is great. Thank YOU for reaffirming what we do during a really trying time.

I just want to let you guys know that what you're doing means a lot. My sister had a picture of herself dressed up in "Native" drag, and I told her to take it down because it's offensive. She didn't believe me but I showed her this site (among several others) and she took it down. So don't feel discouraged or anything. You guys are making a difference.
Some people will never understand how misrepresenting your culture is offensive, but maybe one day they'll sit down and think about it and remember this blog and have an epiphany.
but anyways keep doing what you're doing.
=)

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:56:13 -0400

This means so much on a day like today. Seriously, as I sit here, crying while I try to put on make-up to get out to the bar and drown my sorrows in whiskey like a Stereotypical Indian, proving to the haters That I Have A Life - this made me crack a smile.

Thank you.

damnitamber: I usually do not engage in political banter on...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:50:07 -0400

damnitamber:

I usually do not engage in political banter on Tumblr. I’m here to enjoy myself. However, this whole mess of bullshit really incenses me. It’s not the photoshoot that makes me angry, but rather all the commentary. Everyone sitting behind their computers, feeling really mighty and politically correct about calling out a group of kids for taking pictures. That’s real swell, but as an American Indian woman, I would much rather you honor my Lakotah family by getting off your ass and doing something. I do not speak for all people of color, and I do not assert that those photos were not offensive. I only mean to say that if you really care, if you’re really interested in indigenous people, you’d take the time to reach out instead of making personal attacks on Tumblr. Cause guess what kids? My American Indian relatives could give two fucks about Tumblr, Pork, or caricatures of American Indian People. They’re fucking dying out there-

Lakotah men have a life expectancy of less than 44 years, lowest of any country in the World (excluding AIDS) including Haiti.

The Lakotah infant mortality rate is 300% more than the U.S. Average.

The rate of diabetes is 800% higher than the U.S national average.

Median income is approximately $2,600 to $3,500 per year.

97% of our Lakotah people live below the poverty line.

Here’s how you can help-

Lakotah Youth-

http://www.dosomething.org/project/lakota-outreach-project

Lakotah Elders-

http://www.lakota-aid.co.uk/elders.php

Lakotah Relief Aid-

http://www.republicoflakotah.com/humanitarian-relief/

Put your money where your mouth is, and please- focus on on the bigger picture.

Well this shit just got really real for me, as someone brought my home into this conversation.

…as an American Indian woman, I would much rather you honor my Lakotah family by getting off your ass and doing something.

Really? So having a conversation online doesn’t mean anything? That shit REALLY FUCKING HURTS. Conversation is what leads to action, and spreading awareness around appropriate appreciation of my culture is the start of something. So telling me to get up and do something? Did you grow up on Pine Ridge? Can you back up those facts and figures with personal experiences? Friends who were gang raped by drunken boys? Friends who were stuck with children they didn’t plan for and couldn’t seek out an abortion? Fathers, frustrated from lack of work, turning to drinking and drugs? No hope, no direction, no promise?

What many people of privilege completely FAIL TO FUCKING UNDERSTAND is that, yes, while there are larger, systemic problems hurting my home every single day - images of people with whiskey bottles wearing headdresses made of cheap chicken feathers and streaks of “warpaint” across their faces are just another slap in the face. That white people don’t care about me. That society would rather make a shitty fashion statement than care about how it makes me feel on top of everything else that has happened. It’s puzzling to me that people claim to have met a Native who didn’t care about you wearing your precious, fakeass headdress. Maybe they’re too tired of having to explain why it hurts, so they just don’t get into it with you. So that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing here - and hoping to return to the reservation when I can to put the education I was so privileged to receive for free to good use.

So don’t you dare fucking tell me what I’m doing is useless.

-Marquita

I must be missing the ~style~ here.. submitted by...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:15:05 -0400

I must be missing the ~style~ here..

submitted by traversetheskies

It’s sad when this shit makes me want to avoid all music festivals completely. - Bree

I've said it TOO MANY TIMES, and will say it again

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:48:22 -0400

I am so FUCKING FED UP with the whole “get off the internet and like, GET A LIFE” argument RE: those who attempt to address cultural appropriation. The line of reasoning contributes absolutely NOTHING to the conversation and doesn’t really explain WHY wearing a headdress is appropriate to you, unless wearing a headdress is the only way to have fun and live life on the edge, man.

Just because I care about how my culture and identity is represented means I’m void of any kind of intelligence, life and personality? That’s just some fucking bullshit.