I will admit I am a bit frustrated today.
So I came across a video of a musician playing a song. The song was pretty cool and very well done. And I probably would have become a fan if it wasn't for one thing. He has decided to incorporate a costume Plains Native American Headdress as a part of his "brand". He has made the excuse that because it isn't the same as a Ceremonial Headdress that its okay for him to wear and use as a part of his costume.
What he fails to understand is the fact that making a costume out of any sacred item of any culture is extremely disrespectful of that culture. The many people in the Native Community have spoken out against being used as a Mascot, having their regalia and sacred items being turned into a costume, and basically having their entire culture and history being turned into a joke.
I am of Native Descent. My Great Grandmother was half Algonquin on my mothers side, and I know I am of Cherokee on my fathers side. I was raised around Lakota beliefs and culture up until a certain point when life took a different turn.
My point to mentioning my heritage is that I don't go walking around pretending I am some how a representative of all American Indians just because of that little bit. I haven't been a part of the culture now for many years. But yet I have seen people on his page saying "I'm a Native American and I think its cool". When I have taken a closer look at their profiles, its easy to see they are not at all involved in the community or the culture.
I do still pay attention to the struggles they go through. I do still have a great respect for my ancestors of this continent. And I will always stand with those who are fighting to protect their culture and to keep it alive.
All this musician has done is create an excuse all because he doesn't want to be told he is doing something wrong. He has now labeled everyone who is speaking out against him wearing the mock headdress as "Haters". He ignores the fact that creating a mock replica of a sacred item of a culture, or using anything that is a mock replica unique to a culture is cultural appropriation and is disrespectful of the people and their struggles and history.
If he wants to look like some kind of Goth Tribal person, there are ways to look tribal without using anything that is appropriating a culture. Make something up. Get creative. Don't just take from a culture you have no right to take from. A people's culture, a people's way of life, their history, is not something to be turned into a costume or a brand, especially if you are not a part of said culture.
Some people might make an argument saying that telling someone they can't wear the headdress is the same as telling someone who isn't Christian they can't wear a cross. A Culture and a Religion are two different things. You can convert to a Religion, but when it comes to a culture, you are either born into it, or adopted by it by being brought in by others who practice said culture.
If you want to see the video I will post it here along with his >> page << so you can see for yourself.
Cultural appropriation is a complex topic, but for the sake of my sanity I'm going to throw in my two pence.
ReplyDeleteHuman kind has appropriated cultural objects and ideals since the dawn of civilisation, to protect certain ideas we invented concepts such as "copywrite" and "patent" - however even under these ideals there is plenty of room for argument as to what does or doesn't infringe them.
In his video, he posits that his head-dress is made from the wrong materials, though the wrong methods, with the wrong patterns and colours to be considered a traditional item of garb.
His poor example is that of a medal, is wearing a medal in the shape of Texas insulting a medal of honour, or a Victoria cross?
We can infer from this an argument of intellectual property, so for the moment I will redact the state of conciousness relating to the theological/religious beliefs and permit the argument on the grounds of common-legality.
If I start a brand called MooMan, and the logo is a "arched M" in red, does it infringe the copywrite of Mcdonalds brand?
The answer depends on the purpose of my brand, If I intend to sell burgers as fast-food, then yes.
If however, I sell cow-pattern Stationary, No - From this we can deduce there is no attempt to infringe the intellectual property of the native-american people.
So, we must now question if instead, he infringes the ideological morals of those people - Well, in this regard we have entered a grey-area in the gestalt of humanity, however I will continue.
If I have a Christian-cross around my neck, do I possibly insult Christianity? Surely this question must reach a similar ground, do I intend to use this item to insult or claim to be something. Again, the perspective becomes the Question.
Do I wear the cross upside down, set fire to it regularly, or use it to enter churches and deface their property? If yes, I am clearly insulting Christian belief. However if I wear it as a fashion statement - it becomes unclear, but common, as a keepsake - near universally accepted.
The question of such things becomes a question not of "how", but instead "why" - Is this individual actually attempting to insult native american culture though his item?
Is he attempting to insult anglo-saxon culture, or the works of Tolkien though his armour? What about the Mayan and native African cultures the "wings" in his costume come from?
Perhaps I should become insulted by alchemical symbols painted on his face - or perhaps the creators of the songs he's covered should attempt to sue him for covering their songs?
Perhaps western people should be offended by the adoption of western clothes by other cultures? Or should the Chinese take offence at the use of a Chinese jacket in the Matrix?
The reason we are not is because these things allow insight and the spreading of cultural adoption.
If non-ceremonial headpieces of native american style became a common fashion item, what would happen? Would the native american origins be devalued?
I argue the opposite, Native american culture is all but forgotten by the vast majority, replaced with Halloween costumes, and the logos of sports-teams.
If a headdress become modern fashion, would it not instead bring both value to actual-headdresses, while also ensuring at least a fragment of that culture was visible to the rest of the world?
Because, in short, if you see me wearing a top-hat, you remember the British Empire, if I wear a fedora or homburg, you remember the golden age of the United States, and if you see a native-headdress, you cannot help but remember the culture it identifies uniquely. A cultural item or belief that is not seen, cannot be remembered, would you rather fade into polluted obscurity, or have the world face the remembrance of what once was?
"Culture is not so much a direct positive product as an atmosphere,—an atmosphere going forth from one person, an atmosphere received by the other person" ~ C. F. Thwing