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Wearing a different culture's baju for a cultural event like your friend's wedding /open house (appreciation)
Wearing a different culture's bridal attire + lipsyncing to Devdas to sell contact lens (appropriation)
Wearing a different culture's bridal attire + lipsyncing to Devdas to sell contact lens (appropriation)
I hesitate and struggle to talk about this because I recognise the blurred boundaries of culture sharing in Malaysia + it seems like a smol issue.
But this is appropriation. Esp when your are profiting from it, using it simply as an aesthetic to sell an unrelated product
But this is appropriation. Esp when your are profiting from it, using it simply as an aesthetic to sell an unrelated product
Kula made a good thread about this here, where he also touched about 'Bollywood' aesthetic which is actually a caricature of desi culture - the one most Malaysian are familiar with and want to emulate (usually just for the sake of taking a pic) https://twitter.com/MrManter/status/1296287895863455744?s=19
Based on the replies I am getting, the common rebuttal I get is 'what about non-Malays wearing baju kurung or selling nasi lemak'.
It's a good question to talk about the role of majority power in culture. As components of the majority Malay culture - (read more)
It's a good question to talk about the role of majority power in culture. As components of the majority Malay culture - (read more)
The kurung/batik/nasi lemak specifically have all been formalised and heralded as Malaysian culture too. It means that it is made accessible to all races who identify as Malaysians but also means minorities have to work with it to function within and work along with the majority.
Contohnya, if I am visiting a public school, I am told to wear baju kurung cause that's the formal wear.
If I am an Indian aunty who wants to do a road side business, I prolly will think about selling nasi lemak coz I paham that my main audience is Msian who love nasi lemak
If I am an Indian aunty who wants to do a road side business, I prolly will think about selling nasi lemak coz I paham that my main audience is Msian who love nasi lemak
I'm glad we get to have this conversation nevertheless as it's a learning experience for us all. I am willing to answer earnest questions.
But I don't tolerate being dismissed by non-Indians about what an Indian's lived experience is s'posed to be like. Tu kelakar sikit
But I don't tolerate being dismissed by non-Indians about what an Indian's lived experience is s'posed to be like. Tu kelakar sikit
Imma mute this thread coz I have answered common FAQs + most men just wanna play devil's advocate w/o genuinely listening.
At the end of the day, Mira listened and she apologised. To those who nak read more on this issue, can see this helpful article: https://www.indiawest.com/blogs/when-is-indian-culture-being-appropriated-used-and-abused/article_3d97c5b2-4d8a-11e8-acb3-7716558c8d29.html
At the end of the day, Mira listened and she apologised. To those who nak read more on this issue, can see this helpful article: https://www.indiawest.com/blogs/when-is-indian-culture-being-appropriated-used-and-abused/article_3d97c5b2-4d8a-11e8-acb3-7716558c8d29.html
And if there are still people fighting about 'IT IS JUST APPRECIATION', then let me just share a good way to adore a culture tanpa appropriating it: Yuna gave credit, hired Indians talent and didn't center herself in a culture that is not her own. https://twitter.com/mastermindme6/status/1296245601458196480?s=19
