Cultural Appropriation and Burning Man

[AntiM]

Cowboys and Indians
Pew Pew Pew
I'm triggered


I figured I may as well offend poets too with my inept haiku.

[vargaso]

This is pretty funny and relevant to this discussion:

http://thehardtimes.net/2015/11/17/noth ... privilege/

I'm all for wearing whatever the hell you want at Burning Man (or anywhere else, for that matter), but context does matter. Different groups of people have different experiences with cultural appropriation based on their collective history. If a group that was stripped of their land, killed en masse and shunted away onto reservations has some, well, reservations about people whose heritage matches that of their oppressors wearing sacred garb at a giant party in the desert (which of course, was also taken from them), we shouldn't really be surprised. The effect can't go the other way, either, so that a Native American wearing a priest's collar would not have the same cultural impact because there's no history of Native American's oppressing Catholics, so as a Catholic, it wouldn't sting me in any way.

So, for me, this issue is like the "freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism" thing. Wear what you want, but don't get butthurt if someone is butthurt about it. As Trilo suggests, have a conversation about it.

[Tiahaar]

of some relevance, loving Bloom County's return!

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreath ... 45/?type=3

[DerbyDave 18]

I would be real interested to find out how solarbum or whatever the persons name was handled the experience. To me it seemed he or she was setting him or herself up for an unpleasant and disappointing experience.

[A-RockLeFrench]

seemed he or she was setting him or herself up for an unpleasant and disappointing experience.

Welcome to Burning Man.

[Jangles]

I think it's also important to check cultural "ownership" assumptions at the door. The person you perceive as appropriating might, in fact, have legitimate cultural ties to the culture you assume they are appropriating. Just because an ethnically white-looking person is wearing a headdress doesn't mean she isn't descended from a Native American lineage. She might also be a total jackass. Unless you're willing to invest the time to find out what's true (maybe both are true - people can be paradoxes!), best to not judge people and mind your own business.

But honestly, you will probably be so filled with wonder at the damn place and all of the people who beautifully warp your sense of personhood/gender/culture/time/place/era, the few that rankle your sense of ethics will pale by comparison.

[simpletruth]

Whew. Glad to hear it! Because at some point a gay, buck-naked Jewish dude will run by with a henna swastika tattoo and an eagle feather protruding from his ass. Thats when the real test happens.

If you recoil in horror or revulsion, you failed.
If your first reaction was laughter followed by concern there might be a whole live bird jammed up in there, you're gonna do just fine.

I just laughed...a lot... and did not think of the bird... is that bad, will I be okay?!?!

[WileE13]

I live around a whole lot of Native Americans, some of my best friends are Native. Most of them don't give a flying fuck about "Cultural Appropriation" as long as it isn't done in a negative, insulting way. Donning Native head dress is paying homage to their culture, not "appropriating" it or degrading it anymore than putting on a viking helmet appropriates or degrades Nordic culture.

[Rungus]

I honestly wish Cultural Appropriation wasn't a thing.

Cultural appropriation isn't a thing. Wear whatever the fuck you want. It's Burning Man for Christ's sake.

Nailed it.

[BunBuns]

Whew. Glad to hear it! Because at some point a gay, buck-naked Jewish dude will run by with a henna swastika tattoo and an eagle feather protruding from his ass. Thats when the real test happens.

If you recoil in horror or revulsion, you failed.
If your first reaction was laughter followed by concern there might be a whole live bird jammed up in there, you're gonna do just fine.

ePlaya needs a 'like' button.

I second that motion.

[tatonka]

This offends me as a vegan transgender atheist who vapes and crossfits 4 times a week and im also a male feminist as I identify myself as a pastafarian apache helicopter dog mega multi combo god of hyper death and if you dont agree with me You're an ignorant arrogant globaphobic sexist lesbian

[Aurelia]

Whew!
and here I am trying to simplify

[ygmir]

IMAG2974 (452x800).jpg

I've yet to find anyone not offended by my "crocs with socks"

[Bless]

I want to culturally appropriate her.

14192660_10153825226081931_8910840395303053135_n.jpg

[Aurelia]

Yeah it Iggy is greeting us !

[lucky420]

IMAG2974 (452x800).jpgI've yet to find anyone not offended by my "crocs with socks"

they highlight your calves quite well

[Doctor VonBacon]

I've yet to find anyone not offended by my "crocs with socks"

"Crocks with socks" is not offensive. It is a wonder of engineering that provides warmth AND ventilation.
I believe it was created by the fine people at NASA.

[ygmir]

I've yet to find anyone not offended by my "crocs with socks"

"Crocks with socks" is not offensive. It is a wonder of engineering that provides warmth AND ventilation.
I believe it was created by the fine people at NASA.

you are genius!!

[global village idiot]

2018 will be my first event. I just finished this entire discussion, which I'm glad took place over the course of several years.

My concern is somewhat different. Since it's my first event, I want to be a good guest.

I've read all about MOOP and how clothing can contribute to it. In this regard, what I planned on wearing and having with me is "clean" so far as MOOP goes. Despite having different premises, "Leave no Trace" and "being tactical" arrive at the same place physically.

I'll no longer be in the military, and I can wear whatever I please (no uniforms) which will be a relief. As such, I thought back to what I've worn in the desert previously, versus what I wish I could have worn in the desert. This formed the basis of what I intend to wear. Subject to change/amendment, it will look more-or-less like what this guy is wearing: (link), combined with eye pro, a shemagh/keffiyeh in a "non-afilliated" pattern and a Vietnamese "pith" helmet with puggaree (this last is the only appeal to vanity I feel comfortable making).

That outfit, minus the shemagh/pith helmet, is very similar to what I wear when I practice martial arts (tai chi). I find it comfortable, lightweight, the right color (mine are light grey) and appropriate for the environment. But while the outfit is fit for purpose, that's not enough to judge whether it's appropriate.

I've read the posts that essentially say "IDGAF/IDWIW" but these come from people who've attended many times - I take them at their word but I also suspect they may know things about the Burning Man culture they may just assume everyone else is aware of. I "don't know what I don't know," so I reckon I'd better ask than unknowingly give offense.

Thanks!
gvi

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya, GVI!

Good preparing and researching in advance. ePlaya is a good resource.

In my opinion, the objection to cultural appropriation is only by a critical mass of people in that culture. Native American is the only objection I know. I often wear things in city life from other countries where I have worked and could have been killed. I don't bring them to the burn to lose because they are precious.

China now is fast culture and I've never heard of cultural appropriation concerns.

So you can wear and talk about your costume with meaning to people you meet at the event, which is the purpose of costumes - connecting conversation in person!

[AntiM]

Dear Idiot, I think you're doing it right. Looks like a fine outfit to me.

My own personal favorite is an abaya, I also wear Mexican dresses and Hawaiian mumuus. All just fine. I wish we had out yukata out there this year, they would have been great camp wear in the hotter than usual heat.

larry's catch.jpg

P9010521 (2).jpg

091 - Copy.JPG

[BBadger]

I think it comes down to this: if you can't specifically list why the imitation or use of artifacts associated with a particular culture is disrespectful or problematic, then there is really no problem with "appropriating" such things.

The act of borrowing, utilizing, or adapting innovations from other cultures or peoples is not a fundamentally egregious act. If you're re-purposing such things in a disrespectful manner, sure; however, if that is the case why not inform the person about their lack of awareness?

[global village idiot]

BBadger, I appreciate your approach; being new, I'd prefer to err on the side of caution and take an active approach rather than a passive one.

An example from my history elsewhere may provide perspective. I'm a Freemason, and I don't think I'm giving away any state secrets when I tell you that one of the things we promise in our obligations is to not cheat, wrong or defraud a Brother Mason or a Lodge of Masons. This is a passive obligation - promising not to do something - but implicit in this statement is the active obligation to look after our Brothers' interests and welfare as we would our own.

In the same way, it seems more prudent to me, unfamiliar with the culture as I am, to see if what I'm up to is good-to-go, rather than bumble forward and figure if I'm wrong, someone will tell me. Recent history has shown that people generally won't; however, they WILL take plenty of pictures and blog about it afterward. Additionally, I ought to be able to explain why I'm doing this-or-that or wearing such-and-such, as opposed to the burden being on someone else to say why doing this-or-that or wearing such-and-such is disrespectful. In this way, I've satisfied both the passive and active aspects.

As to borrowing from other cultures, other people have figured things out, more-or-less as well as we have. It seems closed-minded to think that we have answers to every problem - for example, being comfortable in the desert. If another culture has a way of doing so, I'd say it's hardly disrespectful to acknowledge they have a good idea and use it.

As for the Chinese specifically, I'd argue (though I'd be willing to be proved wrong in this respect) that part of acknowledging a culture's contribution to the common stock of human knowledge also implies acknowledging that no culture is without errors and shortcomings of its own. Western civilization has got pretty good at pointing out our own warts, but we ought not to fall into the sin of self-loathing via thinking that anyone else is better or more virtuous than we are. The Chinese have a rich cultural history, but they're no saints.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Hopefully I'll be able to meet y'all next year

gvi

[edited to add] SSE, what do you mean by "China is fast culture"?

[Token]

Oh my fucking Dog, not this tired thing.

It's burning man.

Do whatever the fuck you want. That's what is done there.

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done.

Wanna be a rabbi for a day - fucking far out.

Need to be Jesus on a cross for a day - there's a place for that too.

Wanna stick feathers in your bum and run like a chicken - the Playa is all yours.

Just be yourself and fuck the world.

[vargaso]

Oh my fucking Dog, not this tired thing.

It's burning man.

Do whatever the fuck you want. That's what is done there.

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done.

Wanna be a rabbi for a day - fucking far out.

Need to be Jesus on a cross for a day - there's a place for that too.

Wanna stick feathers in your bum and run like a chicken - the Playa is all yours.

Just be yourself and fuck the world.

Bingo.

[Bless]

Oh my fucking Dog, not this tired thing.

It's burning man.

Do whatever the fuck you want. That's what is done there.

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done.

Wanna be a rabbi for a day - fucking far out.

Need to be Jesus on a cross for a day - there's a place for that too.

Wanna stick feathers in your bum and run like a chicken - the Playa is all yours.

Just be yourself and fuck the world.

[GreyCoyote]

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done!

I was using zinc oxide, but now that you mention it, this would be a better sunblock and I wouldnt need to carry my lunch!

Genius!

[ygmir]

Oh my fucking Dog, not this tired thing.

It's burning man.

Do whatever the fuck you want. That's what is done there.

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done.

Wanna be a rabbi for a day - fucking far out.

Need to be Jesus on a cross for a day - there's a place for that too.

Wanna stick feathers in your bum and run like a chicken - the Playa is all yours.

Just be yourself and fuck the world.

thanks Token. that's it!!!

[171/348]

Wanna parade naked with your dick in a taco, done and done!

I was using zinc oxide, but now that you mention it, this would be a better sunblock and I wouldnt need to carry my lunch!

Genius!

Until you see a stoned wook with the munchies running towards you yelling, "TACO!!!"