Cultural Appropriation and Burning Man

[maladroit]

that's exactly the problem I'm talking about, everyone is so sensitive anymore. it's like your looking for ways to be offended. political correctness limits expression, it is a cancer on our society. I'd like to think burning man is a little sanctuary from all that bs, maybe that makes me an idealist but so be it,

You're free to not believe what I'm telling you about the actual event, which I have attended and you have not. It's not possible to bring 69,999 people with you to the desert and leave behind the basic facts of human interaction.

[StrepThroatHaver]

i do hope you guys have good burns, this all has me worried

[BurnLiker]

I mean, that's they're problem. personally I wouldn't give it a second thought and feel like anybody who really "gets" burning man would probably do the same.

[Jovankat]

If there is any place that should be free from worried about political correctness these days, honestly, it should be Burning Man. It's one of the reasons I'm so excited about going. the whole PC crowd and SJW are probably the biggest porblem facing our society today in addition to wasteful spending.

Actually there's quite a bit of crossover between burners and socially progressive folks. If you think the biggest problem in society are people who are fighting for equality and respect for minorities it sounds like maybe you could learn some valuable lessons in the desert. Also the amount of spending that people do on Burning Man could easily be considered wasteful.

[pink]

I mean, that's they're problem. personally I wouldn't give it a second thought and feel like anybody who really "gets" burning man would probably do the same.

You don't really "get" burning man because you haven't been. So you really don't have any idea what you are talking about. Really. So I have just as much right to get in someone's face with a megaphone when I see cheap moopy feathers, regardless of cultural appropriation or anything else.

Everything you think you know at this point is simply conjecture. And a lot of burners aren't really thrilled with people that just come because they've heard it's a great "party".

[GreyCoyote]

Listening to a burgin talk about what is or isnt "burningman" is like listening to a virgin talk about sex.

Yeah, you saw a few youtube vids, had a friend who went "all the way" and told you what it was like, and maybe you read a manual and have seen some dirty pictures in a tabloid. So now you're an expert and we should listen to your opinions?

Get dusty and then get back to us at the end of September.

[Bless]

[Wrath]

Let's party.

I just puked a little in my mouth. Thanks.

[maladroit]

Listening to a burgin talk about what is or isnt "burningman" is like listening to a virgin talk about sex.

I actually feel uncomfortable sometimes giving advice when 2015 will only be my fourth year.

[theCryptofishist]

...

[BBadger]

I saw a take-down of a girl wearing a native-American-headdress in Center Camp. The girl was tackled to the ground by officers of the Cultural Appropriation Police, and the headdress confiscated as evidence. She was then cited, forced into prisoner fatigues, and hauled off to the sound of a cheering crowd.

Serve and protect!

[theCryptofishist]

Did they tar and feather her? Those center camp mobs can do all sorts of ugly things when they are hepped up on coffee.

[Tiahaar]

Pirate an NDN say 'suuuk eeet, haters, we be doin our thing'

[Elderberry]

Hay guys, give the dude a break. He's staying in Deaf Camp. You really need to write a little louder.

Very nice display, here. Not sure what you're getting at. I am hearing and an ally of Deaf Culture. But, thanks for having my back on that one...

It was a joke. Dr. Pyro runs "Barbie Death Camp and Wine Bistro". Walking by that camp on my first burn was when I really "got" what Burning Man was all about and why I liked it so much.

[Lonesomebri]

firstworlddick.jpg

[DerbyDave 18]

Okay, so I had my DNA tested and one of the things I found is that I am part..a very small part but still a part.. Native American. So does that mean it would be socially acceptable for me to wear a headdress at the Burn? Also, since I don't look Native American will people be upset with me because they think I'm being disrespectful even though I'm not? Should I wear a sign saying I'm 1% Native American so don't get mad at me or something like that? I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone while I'm there.

[BBadger]

The qualification is whether you're entitled to a cut of reservation casino profits (1/16th). As long as you carry the correct paperwork while wearing a douchey feather head-dress you should be fine.

Otherwise, you risk running afoul of the Cultural Appropriation Police (CAP). I witnessed first-hand a take-down by the CAP:

DSC00475_takedown.jpg

[media]

[gaminwench]

Completely consensual.

I hope that they did this again, when hippie haven was more populated.

[Dr. Pyro]

Okay, so I had my DNA tested and one of the things I found is that I am part..a very small part but still a part.. Native American. So does that mean it would be socially acceptable for me to wear a headdress at the Burn? Also, since I don't look Native American will people be upset with me because they think I'm being disrespectful even though I'm not? Should I wear a sign saying I'm 1% Native American so don't get mad at me or something like that? I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone while I'm there.

Screw those people who might give you a hard time. If they give you any crap, scalp 'em.

[Molotov]

Russell Means, American Indian activist and film star, says any American born in the United States is a native American. He no longer checks "native American" on surveys or applications that collect ethnic identity, but instead writes in "American Indian", which he feels more accurately describes him.

Basically, if the government doesn't want any native born Americans calling themselves Native American, they should refine the definition of the term.

[Captain Goddammit]

That's why I hate the bullshit term "African American". You're an American, period. And suppose a white guy from Africa comes here and becomes a citizen. Then what?
What do the politically correct ass wipes call black people over in the UK?

[Dr. Pyro]

?
What do the politically correct ass wipes call black people over in the UK?

I generally call them by their first names.

[Bless]

That's why I hate the bullshit term "African American". You're an American, period. And suppose a white guy from Africa comes here and becomes a citizen. Then what?
What do the politically correct ass wipes call black people over in the UK?

Brits of African decent?

I mean we could call the Brits "browns." We could call real dark Africans "blacks." And we could call Asians "yellows." And we could call Native American/Indian Americans "redskins." I prefer "pinks " or "peaches" to "whites" for Caucasians. We could call Hispanics "oranges" because "yellow" is already taken.

What other skin pigments are there out there? I like this game. Just boil everything down to color-coded terms. Why didn't someone think of this sooner? I'm sure Trump would be on board. Fuck political correctness.

[Savannah]

Say it loud: I'm Beige and I'm proud.

[MyDearFriend]

?
What do the politically correct ass wipes call black people over in the UK?

I generally call them by their first names.

Doc: I don't know why you felt qualified to answer this question since you are IN NO WAY politically correct.

[trilobyte]

Making a poor attempt at getting back to the subject of cultural appropriation when it comes to clothing and playawear at Burning Man.. I don't think it's a problem when you dress in the clothing style of anybody's culture or ethnicity if it's done with care and respect.

The main problem people have with cultural appropriation is that people feel like something that's important (to them, their family, and/or their loved ones) is being disrespected, trashed, or treated like the butt of a joke. That's understandable, nobody wants to feel that way. The person who's been made to feel that way understandably feels slighted, and it likely brings up all kinds of feelings of persecution or inequality and... well, deep psychological stuff because racism and bigotry cause some deep wounds.

In many cases, the person wearing the cheap headdress (or whatever the offending costume was) probably was not actively thinking about ways they could make somebody else feel terrible. Hell, they probably had only good intentions and are, at most, guilty of not really thinking about how what they wear might make somebody else feel.

If you're excited about a culture or a style of dress or a costume you love, I say ROCK THAT! Burning Man is exactly the place to do that, do your best to make something that will make you happy to wear. At the very worst, you may find yourself having an awkward conversation with a stranger who misunderstood where you're coming from, but in conversation that should work itself out pretty quickly.

[delle]

At least a couple of women rocked hiqabs or the like in "inappropriate" ways this year. One led her man around on a leash. Another wore only a honking black strap on and boots besides. Had I seen either not just in pictures, I’d have been thrilled. Not because they were making any kind of a statement that I agreed with, but because they totally tickled my funny bone with something surprising and absurd, and THAT is why I go to Burning Man.

Now I wish I'd brought a cowboy hat and a couple of six-shooters last year, so Tatonka and I could play Cowboys and Indians around the Northpole shade. By the sounds of this thread, we could easily have out-shocked them all. How sad is that?

[delle]

And really, what is “Hippie Gear” if not about 80% delights borrowed from diverse cultures.

Only knock I ever hear about them is the smell, never "OMG, the international MAYHEM you are wearing! You should be ashamed!!"

[tatonka]

At least a couple of women rocked hiqabs or the like in "inappropriate" ways this year. One led her man around on a leash. Another wore only a honking black strap on and boots besides. Had I seen either not just in pictures, I’d have been thrilled. Not because they were making any kind of a statement that I agreed with, but because they totally tickled my funny bone with something surprising and absurd, and THAT is why I go to Burning Man.

Now I wish I'd brought a cowboy hat and a couple of six-shooters last year, so Tatonka and I could play Cowboys and Indians around the Northpole shade. By the sounds of this thread, we could easily have out-shocked them all. How sad is that?

A showdown ? or a INDN wrestling match Wrestling would be more fun

[Simon of the Playa]

burning man culture is being appropriated left and right.


where is the outcry?



"bitch, take off those furry boots, you're not a REAL RAVER"