Thoughts of the moment (on cultural appropration)

[shweta_narayan]

Because of a discussion elsewhere (most directly, my thoughts on this come from qian, though of course it's part of an ongoing conversation & not original to either of us) I'm reconsidering how I think of cultural appropriation

Comments

[pantryslut]

Yes, I have always thought of cultural appropriation this way. Intent is irrelevant -- it's a symptom of a power imbalance, period. And it's not a power imbalance (e.g. a privilege) one can shed by "doing it right." It's *always* going to be problematic. But at the same time, there is no neutral course of action, you know? Not acting is an action, too.

[shweta_narayan]

I'm slow to come to many realizations I guess :)

And this way makes it much easier to look at the damage that's done, and the good that's done too and whether they balance at all, rather than whether "I screwed up", which isn't the important question in the first place.

Thinking about it this way, a lot of what I write is appropriative. And on balance that *is* better than only writing about high-caste Hindus when I deal with India-topics. And being a culture-hybrid, it'll always be the case, because I can't write single-narratives. But there are *also* things I've written that I'm not that happy with now, and find on-balance problematic, because (not intentionally, but intent, whatever) I played into exotic-squee and "feel" without successfully undermining issues that caused.

[squirrel_monkey]

Also, I think that approach effectively gets rid of the frequent blogosphere dustups when we point fingers at someone's fail, which is so not the point. It's never about individuals but a larger context.

[shweta_narayan]

Right and this way of thinking about it lets us talk about appropriation separately from fail, I guess?

[shweta_narayan]

I suspect more people love Celtic-themed Fantasyland than actual "good old-fashioned Celtic magic", given that few of the really popular Celtic-fantasy series are by people who have an actual current link to the culture.

rysmiel pointed me to Ian McDonald's King of Morning, Queen of Day as an exception; I think it's telling and sad that McDonald's ventures into India!! and South America!! etc seem to be more popular than that (wonderful) book.

And yeah, I'm for not adding to that stuff.

[shweta_narayan]

I suspect you understand the problem. :)

Yep :)
But why *are* you looking so many generations back for culture? Because of continuity? You're a Bay Area geek. That's a culture, dammit.

[mevennen]

With the Celtic cultures, I'm actually entirely happy as a Celt whose ancestors have been here (Britain) since the year dot for Americans (or anyone) to play in the Celtic sandbox. I'd prefer them to get basic details right (the contemporary Welsh based novel a friend read where someone flies into the city of Narberth comes to mind - it's got about 3 streets). Also, I don't have an issue with anyone who admits they made stuff up (it's the ones who insist that OF COURSE there was an ancient female priestesshood with moons on their foreheads and they know because they channelled it that get my goat). But I just got called - rightly - on details in the Singapore 3 novels.

If I was to be asked who is currently writing fantasy fiction that has the strongest British sensibility then without question it is Greer Gilman, who is American.

(Shweta, do let me know if this is derailing: I don't regard Celtic origins as unprivileged. Technically the Welsh stopped being an underclass when Henry Tudor hove into view).

[shweta_narayan]

i admit, I'm much less interested in the POV of a cis-male bay area geek. *shrugs* This is a lot of why.