I don't know what went down, but my understanding of cultural appropriation is, as a white person, we are members of the race responsible for subjugating other races. Taking things from them that are special to them makes them less special and removes a little more of their identity. If a member of a nonwhite race adopts white things to their culture, however, it's different, because the dominant culture can't be oppressed.
The reason, for example, white hipsters wearing headdresses isn't okay, is because white people have already stolen Native Americans' land, so taking their symbols and traditions is just another act to steal something important to them. Or a white person throwing on a sari is offensive because it's an important cultural symbol to Indians, but the difference is white people can just take that symbol off and put it aside at the end of the day. Indians can't do that- it remains a part of their identity.
At least that's the understanding of it I've gained.
But what about people who're racially part of a group but not culturally? Which is my point about different cultures within a race.
And moreover, the view of "whitey can't borrow from anything" smacks of a very "sins of the father" perspective, that we're always guilty of what our ancestors did no matter what WE do, and that never sat well with me. Does that mean that I have to take responsibility for subjugating Gypsies because I have Romanian ancestors? That I have to own up for the Russian Revolution because I have Russian ancestors? That makes no fucking sense to me. I'm me. I didn't have a part of any of that and it's insulting to insist guilt by vague association.
The theory being that we're benefiting from that oppression today, I think. Which makes sense- we do live on stolen land, have an easier time finding employment than minorities, etc. Personally I just feel like I should err on the side of respecting cultures more than "I am a bad white person, I shouldn't enjoy this". I know that I shouldn't use things meaningful to other cultures unless I'm completely aware of their meanings and if it's appropriate to do so in that case (wearing Lolita, a Japanese street fashion with very little cultural significance, vs. just wearing a kimono, a traditional garment with tradition and meaning attached to it "because it looks cool" for example), and I do my best to respect those cultures
( ... )
But what if it's not "your" culture? I have no connections to Russian or Romanian culture other than happening to have ancestors from there. I wasn't raised in anything that I would identify as either. Why would it be suddenly ok for me to partake of those and not those of other races, even though they're equally foreign to me?
The eyes are a good focal point for the entire face. Facial expressions are what tell us what people are really feeling. Eyes are very expressive, but of course that doesn't mean just the eyeballs, you know. It means everything around the eyes: eyebrows, nose, everything. You can cover someone's mouth, but you'll still know their feelings based on their eyes.
Unless, of course, they're like most people in the States, and spend all day in an emotional void because they're working too many hours a week to be bothered with things like honest feelings or human communication.
Eyes really aren't. They can constrict and dilate, but that's really it. Everything else is taking place around the eyes.
And when I went to a speech pathologist, she told me DIRECT eye contact, and that looking at the person's face wasn't enough. I would think it would be MORE than sufficient.
Well, when people say "eyes are expressive", I am quite sure they're referring to everything in that area. Eyes can be pretty, but eyeballs themselves of course are not the point XD
Direct eye contact helps, but staring at a person dead in the eyes for any extended length of time is unnerving. Looking at a person as you speak helps judge their reaction, but it's weird to just stare someone down, of course.
Of course, if you get nothing from looking in people's eyes, then that's just how it works for you. Everyone is different. I understand facial expressions just fine, for example, but I have the hardest time in the world memorizing faces. Even celebrities like Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman take me a long time to differentiate. I don't know why. I will only remember someone if I meet them a lot of times, or if they have some kind of distinguishing feature, like big ear gauges or oddly coloured hair.
So if, like you say, you really don't perceive any kind of feedback from eye contact, then that just is what it is. Everyone's
I can hardly remember faces. Like, no matter how much I talk to someone. Mom has a friend over right now and I honestly could not tell you who it was other than from her voice. I look at her and see a big blank space.
The movie remake thing has people in lots of different camps though, it's not that everyone agrees all international remakes are bad. I don't think anyone's mad that Walter Hill remade Yojimbo as Last Man Standing, for example. I think what most people get ants in their pants about is that many remakes are made for the same reason cheap sequels are made; it's a proven idea that will probably do OK at the box office without having to put much thought or effort into it.
I'm an Aspie, so my opinion is probably not surprising - but I don't get the 'eye contact' thing either. I do it very occasionally when I'm giving a presentation/speech or in a professional context, but only because I've been told that I should. I don't really understand it, it doesn't feel natural to me and I don't do it with family/friends.
I agree with you, someone's eyes don't really tell me much compared with the rest of their face and their body language. Pupils dilating/constricting can mean something emotionally, but unless the person is really stoic or good at hiding things, I'd rather try to pick up the meanings some other way.
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The reason, for example, white hipsters wearing headdresses isn't okay, is because white people have already stolen Native Americans' land, so taking their symbols and traditions is just another act to steal something important to them. Or a white person throwing on a sari is offensive because it's an important cultural symbol to Indians, but the difference is white people can just take that symbol off and put it aside at the end of the day. Indians can't do that- it remains a part of their identity.
At least that's the understanding of it I've gained.
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And moreover, the view of "whitey can't borrow from anything" smacks of a very "sins of the father" perspective, that we're always guilty of what our ancestors did no matter what WE do, and that never sat well with me. Does that mean that I have to take responsibility for subjugating Gypsies because I have Romanian ancestors? That I have to own up for the Russian Revolution because I have Russian ancestors? That makes no fucking sense to me. I'm me. I didn't have a part of any of that and it's insulting to insist guilt by vague association.
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Unless, of course, they're like most people in the States, and spend all day in an emotional void because they're working too many hours a week to be bothered with things like honest feelings or human communication.
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And when I went to a speech pathologist, she told me DIRECT eye contact, and that looking at the person's face wasn't enough. I would think it would be MORE than sufficient.
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Direct eye contact helps, but staring at a person dead in the eyes for any extended length of time is unnerving. Looking at a person as you speak helps judge their reaction, but it's weird to just stare someone down, of course.
Of course, if you get nothing from looking in people's eyes, then that's just how it works for you. Everyone is different. I understand facial expressions just fine, for example, but I have the hardest time in the world memorizing faces. Even celebrities like Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman take me a long time to differentiate. I don't know why. I will only remember someone if I meet them a lot of times, or if they have some kind of distinguishing feature, like big ear gauges or oddly coloured hair.
So if, like you say, you really don't perceive any kind of feedback from eye contact, then that just is what it is. Everyone's
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I agree with you, someone's eyes don't really tell me much compared with the rest of their face and their body language. Pupils dilating/constricting can mean something emotionally, but unless the person is really stoic or good at hiding things, I'd rather try to pick up the meanings some other way.
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It seems very unnatural to read so much into such a small part of the body.
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