Twitter mob goes after girl for cultural appropriation over prom dress

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Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
136
This has nothing to do with political leanings...it's about having a little common sense.

No, it has a lot to do with political leanings. Notice how a conservative started the thread, and the conservatives are the ones trying hardest to defend it? They're the same ones who'll whine about "political correctness" (read: not being an asshole) in cases where serious outrage is justified.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
12,337
898
126
Basically, it's a form of cultural tourism: borrowing from another culture without really thinking about how people in that culture might respond to it.

So why is borrowing from another culture offensive? As I said, people will and are offended by anything. What is the moral harm in a White guy from Iowa making traditionally styled Chinese cloths offensive and or harmful.

I get that you think there is something inherently wrong with White people using non white things, but I want to understand why.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
12,337
898
126
No, it has a lot to do with political leanings. Notice how a conservative started the thread, and the conservatives are the ones trying hardest to defend it? They're the same ones who'll whine about "political correctness" (read: not being an asshole) in cases where serious outrage is justified.

I do not consider the following conservatives.
Sdifox
pmv
Puffnstuff
Homerjs
Ch33w1z
RealiBrad
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,671
136
The issue isn't that someone who isn't Chinese is wearing the dress -- it's that it's clearly trivializing Chinese culture, using it as a "look at me, I'm exotic" prop. It's only slightly better than some Coachella attendee wearing a native American headdress.


Trivializing Chinese culture how? BTW Never thought you would be saying that. IMO there is nothing wrong with wearing headdress. Many cultures wore headdress.

Am I going to yelled at by the germans when I wear my lederhosen.
Am I going to get yelled at when I wear my peruvian knitted hat by the peruvians.
What if I get a haircut like the Kim will the PC peeps yell at me.
What next I can't speak a someones native language because it's an insult to some PC crazed lunatic.

Sorry but this political correctness shit just irks me.
 
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Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
Yup, for the rest of her life if you google her, this is what you'll see. And there is nothing she can do about it. I seriously doubt she is was the only white girl to wear a non-white dress to prom this year as well, which is my other problem with SJWs, it is completely random who gets attacked for no good reason.

WTH is a "non-white dress"?
 

Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,244
10,817
136
Basically, it's a form of cultural tourism: borrowing from another culture without really thinking about how people in that culture might respond to it.
Seriously? It was a teenage girl buying a dress that she thought she looked good in. If that is "Cultural Tourism" what is actual cultural tourism? You know, when you travel to different cultures to experience them? I better let Mexico know I have to cancel my vacation there so Commodus won't get offended if I happen to partake in the local culture.
 
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Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,244
10,817
136
I do not consider the following conservatives.
Sdifox
pmv
Puffnstuff
Homerjs
Ch33w1z
RealiBrad
Yeah, I'm hardly a conservative either. People who were against segregation used to be considered liberal, not sure what happen.
 
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quikah

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,104
672
126
Eh, in this case some thought is warranted. I don't think a girl wearing a qipao to a prom solely because she thought it looked nice is encouraging interaction between cultures.

That is pretty stupid, does a girl in China need to think about wearing a vintage American dress too?

If we go by these cultural appropriation ideas then the vast majority of Chinese need to be cautious of wearing a qipao also since it is a Manchu traditional clothing while the VAST majority of people in China are Han.
 

Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,244
10,817
136
WTH is a "non-white dress"?
Ask @Commodus and all the people pissed off on Twitter. When I see a dress in the store, I just see a dress. Appropriately though, if you are white, you must thoroughly research the history of the style of the dress, the fabric of the dress, and the print of it to make sure it did not come from any non-white culture, ever. Meanwhile, it was probably made out of a fabric invented by DuPont.

I had no idea that there were clothes that white people were not allowed to wear.
 
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Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
136
So why is borrowing from another culture offensive? As I said, people will and are offended by anything. What is the moral harm in a White guy from Iowa making traditionally styled Chinese cloths offensive and or harmful.

I get that you think there is something inherently wrong with White people using non white things, but I want to understand why.

Because other cultures aren't just glorified shopping centers. This doesn't mean all uses by white people are offensive, to be clear -- it's when it's completely superficial, when it's chosen because it looks exotic rather than out of serious consideration. While I'm not really that mad about the choice, I doubt this girl chose a qipao out of a sincere fondness for Chinese culture.

The classic example of this is Eat, Pray, Love. In that memoir, other cultures basically exist as self-improvement centers for a bummed out white woman. They're tools to be used. She goes to an Indian ashram, but she sure as hell doesn't become a practicing Hindu; she treats Italy as a nice place to get authentic pasta; Bali is just a pretty backdrop for a romance. You see what I mean? There should be a better reason for a white girl to wear a qipao than "it'll make for interesting prom photos."
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,950
16,210
126
Because other cultures aren't just glorified shopping centers. This doesn't mean all uses by white people are offensive, to be clear -- it's when it's completely superficial, when it's chosen because it looks exotic rather than out of serious consideration. While I'm not really that mad about the choice, I doubt this girl chose a qipao out of a sincere fondness for Chinese culture.

The classic example of this is Eat, Pray, Love. In that memoir, other cultures basically exist as self-improvement centers for a bummed out white woman. They're tools to be used. She goes to an Indian ashram, but she sure as hell doesn't become a practicing Hindu; she treats Italy as a nice place to get authentic pasta; Bali is just a pretty backdrop for a romance. You see what I mean? There should be a better reason for a white girl to wear a qipao than "it'll make for interesting prom photos."


She chose the dress cuz she thought she would look good in it. No more no less.
 
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Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,244
10,817
136
Because other cultures aren't just glorified shopping centers. This doesn't mean all uses by white people are offensive, to be clear -- it's when it's completely superficial, when it's chosen because it looks exotic rather than out of serious consideration. While I'm not really that mad about the choice, I doubt this girl chose a qipao out of a sincere fondness for Chinese culture.

The classic example of this is Eat, Pray, Love. In that memoir, other cultures basically exist as self-improvement centers for a bummed out white woman. They're tools to be used. She goes to an Indian ashram, but she sure as hell doesn't become a practicing Hindu; she treats Italy as a nice place to get authentic pasta; Bali is just a pretty backdrop for a romance. You see what I mean? There should be a better reason for a white girl to wear a qipao than "it'll make for interesting prom photos."
And when the Chinese use American Culture or Fashion? I understand the issue with using religious symbols, but other that it sounds like you are completely anti-tourism and diversity.

But even with religious places, should a Hindi not be allowed to enjoy the art of the Vatican?
 

Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
136
Ask @Commodus and all the people pissed off on Twitter. When I see a dress in the store, I just see a dress. Appropriately though, if you are white, you must thoroughly research the history of the style of the dress, the fabric of the dress, and the print of it to make sure it did not come from any non-white culture, ever. Meanwhile, it was probably made out of a fabric invented by DuPont.

I had no idea that there were clothes that white people were not allowed to wear.

Drop the hyperbole, please. That's not what I said and you damn well know it.

The point is to think and not just treat another culture as a clothing rack. If it's a traditional piece of clothing for a given culture, question whether or not it's a wise idea to wear it. Some things from other cultures have become perfectly acceptable to wear; others are clearly not; still others are somewhere in between and depend on the context.
 

realibrad

Lifer
Oct 18, 2013
12,337
898
126
Because other cultures aren't just glorified shopping centers. This doesn't mean all uses by white people are offensive, to be clear -- it's when it's completely superficial, when it's chosen because it looks exotic rather than out of serious consideration. While I'm not really that mad about the choice, I doubt this girl chose a qipao out of a sincere fondness for Chinese culture.

So why should a White person have to consider more than the look, but, not a Chinese person? When I go to Macy's to get a shirt, I get what I like the most. I would bet that people in China do the same. So to me you have still not explained how "shopping" is offensive.

The classic example of this is Eat, Pray, Love. In that memoir, other cultures basically exist as self-improvement centers for a bummed out white woman. They're tools to be used. She goes to an Indian ashram, but she sure as hell doesn't become a practicing Hindu; she treats Italy as a nice place to get authentic pasta; Bali is just a pretty backdrop for a romance. You see what I mean? There should be a better reason for a white girl to wear a qipao than "it'll make for interesting prom photos."

So two things. One is that I see a person looking to other cultures to find self-improvement seems like a good thing, yet you are making it seem bad somehow.

Second, why should there be a reason beyond her liking the look? I asked this above, but, why should she have to consider anything further about the dress because she is White?
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,950
16,210
126
Drop the hyperbole, please. That's not what I said and you damn well know it.

The point is to think and not just treat another culture as a clothing rack. If it's a traditional piece of clothing for a given culture, question whether or not it's a wise idea to wear it. Some things from other cultures have become perfectly acceptable to wear; others are clearly not; still others are somewhere in between and depend on the context.


These are off the rack. Often the store owners are Chinese decendants. Should they not close shop if they don't want people from other culture appropriate their Chinese heritage? Cuz selling only to the Chineae looking client is discrimination.