religious remix culture

[frecklestars]

LJ Idol week 30 (3/6): appropriation

As a sociologist, I'm constantly discussing cultural appropriation with my students, especially in light of feather earrings, moccasins, and "gypsy" skirts. I want my students to think more deeply about the historical background of these fashion trends, what these items might have meant to the cultures they came

Comments

[whipchick]

Two things in particular struck a chord for me -

I've met and spent time with Roma people in Europe, and visited the largest Roma settlement, which is just north of Skopje, Macedonia. I want to do a lot more research and write something about Roma Gypsy culture, and look into how much of their low-income and low-class status is based on a chosen nomadic lifestyle including a fair amount of petty crime, and how much that comes from not only prejudice and stereotyping from the cultures around them, but systemic difficulties in getting schooling and job opportunities. And, coming from time working at Renaissance Festivals, there is almost no overlap between the American perception of Gypsies (Bright colors! Mischief! Dancing!) and the lives modern Roma people are actually leading, which look a lot more like American blacks post-Reconstruction.

Also, I visited the Temple of Kali in Calcutta in December, and boy was that ever interesting. The energy at the temple is so chaotic and bloody (literally - there are daily sacrifices) and impassioned, and I truly felt Kali (may her name be sacred) with me in the days after. I don't want to be an appropriator, but I am curious to go back and spend more time listening. I think you'd find it very compelling if you ever get a chance to go.

I really enjoyed reading this, it's so well-reasoned, and I appreciate the thought-provoking-ness!

[minnesattva]

the lives modern Roma people are actually leading, which look a lot more like American blacks post-Reconstruction.

Yes! Thank you for this. It's something I've long struggled to put a finger on; this dichotomy between the snide "hur hur she put a curse on me" to the romanticized "dancing! mischief!" with the truth somewhere in between. Your comparison helps a lot of things click into place in my brain. (Obviously my happiness is not that should be leading such lives, but that articulating the problem helps get us closer to solutions; while I nor no one I personally know can solve the systemic problems in how Roma and Travellers are treated, we can at least not be dicks about them; it's that "easier" goal I'm trying to encourage effort toward. :) )

[frecklestars]

I'd love to read that piece on Roma, when you put it together! Also appreciating the parallels between Roma and American blacks post-Reconstruction. Might actually use that analogy in my class this fall!

I think visiting the Temple of Kali would be fascinating. *adds to already-lengthy bucket list*

[whipchick]

Just remember your baby wipes, the number-one helpful thing I brought to India...all temples are no-shoes locations, and I sure did step in goat shit and goat blood.